Cosgrove takes blame for struggling Black Bears

There are more questions than answers these days for the University of Maine football team, which has lost three of its first four games.

During Saturday’s 34-20 loss to Connecticut, the Black Bears appeared to be plagued by lack of focus early in the game and inconsistency later on.

“I probably need to apologize for not having our team ready to play,” Cosgrove said. “That’s my fault, because when you start off [allowing 20 points in the first 7 1/2 minutes], that’s ugly.”

UMaine was plagued by penalties, was inconsistent in the run game, and surrendered key plays that enabled UConn to keep drives alive.

“It just goes back to preparation and goes back to the head coach,” Cosgrove said. “We’re playing without poise when those things are happening.”

The Atlantic 10 team statistics show the Bears are ranked third in total defense at 310 yards per game. UMaine is second against the run (117 ypg) and third against the pass (193 ypg).

However, the team has had enough key breakdowns to let opponents get on the scoreboard too often. Opponents have converted 26 percent of third-down opportunities and seven of eight fourth-down chances, both among the worst ratios in the league.

“It’s the Atlantic 10. Every offense is going to make plays,” senior safety Aaron Dashiell said Saturday. “When we really needed to, we didn’t make plays.”

An injury to senior strong safety Pete LeBlanc didn’t help the Bears’ chances. He is listed as “day-to-day” with a sprained right shoulder.

“Pete’s an integral part of the defense. He’s very special out there,” Dashiell said. “We all look to him and if he’s not out there, someone else has to step up and make the play.”

UMaine’s offense continues to search for consistency, especially in the run game. The Bears have averaged 20.3 points, but rank 10th in total offense (298 ypg).

In searching for more run production, the Bears unveiled Jake Eaton, the option quarterback, against the Huskies. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman was impressive, carrying nine times for 91 yards.

“It’s designed option, they just didn’t react to it,” said Eaton, who kept the ball each time. “[Uconn] jumped [tailback] Benny [Christopher] all day, and I just kept taking it and taking it.”

Eaton was sacked three times for minus-21 yards, which count against his rushing total, but the seed now has been planted in the minds of opposing coaches that Eaton is a run threat.

“The only guy that got anything was the quarterback,” Cosgrove said, disappointed with the play of the offensive line.

The Bears were without sophomore tailback Royston English, who sprained his ankle in the second quarter of the Sept. 18 game against Richmond.

Even though Eaton is the backup for injured senior Brian Scott of Waterville, Cosgrove isn’t hesitant about putting the heir-apparent to the quarterback job in peril by calling his number on the option.

“You’ve got to win the game,” Cosgrove said. “If he doesn’t get up [because of an injury], the next guy’s in. That’s football.”

Eaton netted 70 of UMaine’s 141 rushing yards against UConn. Christopher carried 14 times, but found little running room and managed only 33 yards.

Libby, Johnson join EMTC staff

Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor has announced the hiring of two assistant basketball coaches. Tom Libby of Bangor and Bruce Johnson of Brewer will join first-year head coach Ron Brown of Bangor on the Golden Eagles’ staff.

Libby has experience as the girls basketball coach at Forest Hills High in Jackman, while Johnson served as an assistant under former Presque Isle boys coach Bob Beaulieu.