Coach Jack Cosgrove for years dealt with the reality his University of Maine program was among the have-nots in the Atlantic 10 Football Conference.

The Black Bears have been working with fewer scholarships than their league counterparts, while NCAA sanctions cost UMaine five scholarship equivalencies during 1997-98.

The program’s financial woes, coupled with the once-dilapidated stadium complex and UMaine’s remote geographic location, made it a difficult program to sell to prospective student-athletes.

In spite of those deficiencies, the Bears have more than held their own in recent years. And the outlook continues to improve.

Maine went 6-5 this fall, giving the program an 18-15 record, including a 12-12 conference mark, in the last three years.

The addition of the AstroTurf playing surface at Morse Field and modern Alfond Stadium, and the prospect of working with the full complement of 63 scholarship equivalencies may help Cosgrove and the Bears take the next step toward becoming a title contender.

“Now the stadium has gone up and the expectations are certainly going to go up with it,” said Cosgrove, who said opening night at the new stadium was the top highlight of the season.

“We weren’t as armed and dangerous [with scholarships] as we are going to be this year. We’re now on the threshold of having to make that next step,” he added. “Being a championship team and going to the playoffs has got to be something that we’re consistently thinking about and striving for.”

UMaine Athletic Director Sue Tyler has pledged to allow Cosgrove to carry 63 scholarship players without spending more money.

“I don’t want Jack to think in terms of limits,” Tyler said. “We’ll make it work. We’re going to let 63 happen, but it shouldn’t cost us much more, if any more.”

Tyler explained UMaine must take advantage of academic scholarships and need-based aid in addition to available athletic scholarship money while getting creative about how student-athletes are counted toward the 63-player limit under NCAA rules.

Cosgrove said UMaine must bring in up to 28 players for next season, most of whom will be in line for scholarship money.

UMaine hopes to build off the positive aspects of the ’98 season, which included victories over fourth-ranked Villanova and No. 6 Delaware. The immediate challenge for the Bears is replacing 17 players, including the record-setting passing duo of quarterback Mickey Fein and wideout Drew O’Connor of Millinocket.

Punt returner and cornerback Darrick Brown, offensive linemen Pat Sheehan and Giff Salisbury, cornerback Eric Lewis, linebacker Lateef O’Connor of Millinocket, and defensive tackle Jon Gallant of Waterboro are among the other key personnel losses.

“When you’re losing such a great group of seniors, so many good players, it’s a battle,” Cosgrove said.

The most obvious loss is Fein, who departs as UMaine’s No. 2 passer behind Mike Buck with 7,856 yards. Fein’s 13 school records include completions in a game (38) and season (236) and touchdown passes in a game (6) and season (27).

“We’re going to have to look to replace a big-play guy in Mickey Fein in some way, shape or form,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve got to get an outstanding quarterback.”

Brian Scott of Waterville is the heir-apparent, but UMaine hopes to recruit a couple of good prospects to provide depth behind Scott and backup Andy Herbine.

Another big challenge is to re-establish the running game, which ranked 10th out of 11 Atlantic 10 teams this fall with 133 yards per game.

Elusive Ben Christopher (638 yards) and powerful Royston English (463) give the Bears a versatile tailback tandem, while Matt Gribbin and Lamin Sisay have experience at fullback.

Tackles Pete Nenstiel and Zach Magliaro, center Justin Doppler, and guard Ryan Leighton provide a strong nucleus in the offensive line, which must help Maine become a legitimate run team again.

“I’d like to get back to running the football a little bit more and being more physical as a football team,” Cosgrove said.

When the Bears do throw, they’ll have a talented trio of veterans in wideouts Dwayne Wilmot, Phil McGeoghan, and Nate Sergent.

Drew O’Connor departs as one of UMaine’s all-time best. He holds the school records for TD catches in a season (16) and in a career (30), ranks second with 177 career receptions, and is No. 3 with 2,362 receiving yards.

Cosgrove seeks consistency in the kicking game, where Todd Jagoutz was unpredictable.

The Bears’ defense ranked fourth in A-10 scoring defense (24.7 points per game) and fifth in total defense (375 ypg). UMaine returns seven of its top 10 tacklers, including safety Aaron Dashiell (100 tackles, six interceptions), strong safety Peter LeBlanc (97 tackles), linebacker Brent Naccara, cornerback Mike Harvey, and ends Chad Rogers and Jojo Oliphant (9 1/2 sacks).

Losses include corner Eric Lewis, tackle Gallant, and linebackers Shawn Taylor and Lateef O’Connor.

Cosgrove hopes with the new stadium, a recent history of success, a commitment to scholarships, and an outstanding recruiting class, the Bears can make their move.

“I think our reputation is much better,” Cosgrove said. “There’s no question things are moving forward. You’ve got to have great character and hardworking kids, no question, but then you’ve got to have some big-play guys.”