Versatile QB Eaton opens for Bears tonight

ORONO – Discussion about great quarterbacks at the University of Maine invariably revolves around the likes of record-setting, strong-armed passers Mike Buck and Mickey Fein.

A few years from now, Black Bear football fans may be talking about another outstanding quarterback – one with a completely different style.

Versatile Jake Eaton leads coach Jack Cosgrove’s UMaine team onto the field at Fitzpatrick Stadium for tonight’s 7:30 season opener against Division II Kutztown (Pa.) University. The promising sophomore from Rutland, Vt., hopes to usher in a somewhat revamped offensive scheme developed by offensive coordinator Bob Wilder, himself a former UMaine quarterback.

“It’s my first college opener, so I’m excited about that,” said the 6-foot-1, 208-pounder, who started five games as a first-year player last season when senior Brian Scott suffered a knee injury in the season opener at Colgate.

Eaton, who appeared in eight of the Bears’ 11 games a year ago, played sparingly in the last five contests after Scott returned to the lineup.

“When [Scott] came back, I played a limited amount of series,” Eaton said. “This is my first start in quite a while. It’s going to be awesome.”

Cosgrove and Wilder think Eaton and the 2000 UMaine offense might have the potential to be just that.

Eaton’s UMaine debut against Hofstra last season told Cosgrove much about his future field leader.

“Here’s an 18-year-old, a first-year guy, his first home game here, under the lights, big crowd, nationally ranked opponent [Hofstra] that ends up in the playoffs,” Cosgrove said. “You’re faced with a third down on your first series and you go out and stick a come-back for a completion. That impacted me, because a lot of guys wouldn’t have been able to handle that situation.”

Eaton has demonstrated poise and smarts, but his athletic ability is equally impressive. He has a strong throwing arm, but instead of being limited to drop-back passes, Eaton is capable of throwing on the run or tucking the ball under his arm and running with it.

“If I’m out there on the corner and nothing’s open, [coach Wilder] said to take off and run but to be smart, get down and try not to take big hits,” Eaton said.

Wilder compares Eaton to former UMaine quarterback Rich Labonte, mobile runner and an accurate passer under coach Ron Rogerson back in the early 1980s.

“We’ve got a quarterback who allows us to do some things that we haven’t been able to do in the past,” Wilder said. “Not only will we be able to throw the ball, but we now have the dimension of being able to run the ball,” he added, referring to plays such as the naked bootleg, option, quarterback draw and QB counter.

Eaton didn’t take anything for granted after last season. He worked diligently during the offseason to prepare for his new role as the full-time starter.

“He really is one of those quick decision-makers in game situations,” Cosgrove said. “There are some things in our offense that will help him run the ball naturally, but there are also times when he will be forced to run it because of the situation in the pocket. He really knows what he wants to do. I think he’s going to be exciting that way.”

What will make Eaton even more effective is his ability to operate with the Bears’ other offensive weapons, including speedy wide receivers Phil McGeoghan, Dwayne Wilmot and Ben Christoper, sure-handed tight end Chad Hayes and slippery running backs Calvin Hunter and Marquisse Silva.

“We’re all excited. We all look around the huddle and there’s not one person we feel can’t play with the best of them in this league,” Eaton said. “We know there’s a lot of talent on this team and we’ve got high expectations.”