Black Bears facing challenge> UMaine seeking consistency against perennial power McNeese

University of Maine coach Jack Cosgrove knows he could fill the Black Bears’ football schedule with some lower-level Division I-AA opponents, which might result in a few more victories.

Instead, he wants UMaine to challenge itself. That explains the presence of this week’s opponent, perennial postseason entry McNeese State of Lake Charles, La., on the Bears’ 1999 schedule.

McNeese State (1-2) at Maine (1-3), 1 p.m., Alfond Stadium, Orono.

UMaine, which has taken on then-Top 25 teams Colgate and Hofstra in non-league games, this week meets the 25th-ranked Cowboys of the Southland Conference.

McNeese State lost in the national title game in 1997, then dropped an NCAA quarterfinal to eventual Division I-AA champion Massachusetts last season.

“They’re as good a I-AA program, on a consistent basis, as there is,” Cosgrove said. “They’ve been in the playoffs seven of the last eight years.”

Cosgrove said while UMaine isn’t ready to start taking on Division I-A programs, McNeese is the kind of team the Bears need to play.

“Everybody looked at me like I had two heads when I said we’d play them,” Cosgrove said. “I’m trying to be ambitious.”

UMaine is paying McNeese $25,000 to make the one-time trip to Orono.

UMaine seeks to establish consistency an error-marred effort in the loss to Connecticut. The Bears welcome back tailback Royston English, who sat out last week with a sprained ankle.

His presence should bolster the run game, which needs more production from the offensive line. The Bears also have a double threat in QB Jake Eaton, who continues to improve his throwing and who made things happen running the option against UConn.

“We’ve got to be a more solid team fundamentally in some areas,” Cosgrove said. “We need to be a little bit more disciplined when it comes to individual plays throughout the game.”

The UMaine defense, which has been susceptible to big third-down pass plays, hopes to have the services of strong safety Pete LeBlanc, who has been nursing a sprained shoulder and missed most of the UConn game.

McNeese’s multiple offense is directed by QB Blake Prejean, who has thrown for 726 yards and six TDs. His No. 1 target is Eric Chew (12 catches, 211 yards). Tailback Jessie Burton has netted 64 yards per game.

The Cowboys’ speedy defense has given up 400 yards per game. Linebacker Wayne Cordova is the leading tackler with 36.

UMass-Dartmouth (2-1) at Maine Maritime Acad. (0-2), 1 p.m., Ritchie Field, Castine.

The Mariners, who have lost their first two games by six points each, look to get into the win column against the Corsairs.

MMA looks to uncork its run game, led by senior tailback Steve Tardif of Biddeford (115 yards per game), which has been limited to 94.5 net yards per game. Freshman quarterback Cameron Giroux of Bucksport has given the Mariners a passing threat, but he has absorbed much of the pressure to help MMA move the ball.

Defensively, the Mariners have been solid against the run but a bit less effective defending the pass. Linebacker Nick Buck of Clinton made 15 tackles last week against Mass. Maritime.

UMass-Dartmouth features a well-balanced attack that averages 211 yards on the ground and 137 through the air. The Corsairs’ defense has surrendered 20 points and 251 yards per contest.

Colby (0-1) at Middlebury (0-1), 1:30 p.m., Middlebury, Vt.

The White Mules look to rebound from their season-opening loss against the Panthers.

Colby played solid defense against Trinity, but put only three points on the board. Middlebury features a good passing attack, led by QB John Wenner.