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ORONO – The University of Maine football team has improved in recent weeks, especially on defense, and coach Jack Cosgrove would like the season to continue.
Win or lose, the 2000 football season ends Saturday for the Black Bears, who will say goodbye to 13 seniors, including a handful of lesser-publicized players who have played important roles at UMaine during their careers.
New Hampshire (6-4) at Maine (4-6), noon, Aflond Stadium, Orono.
Maine’s defense is likely to be tested by the Wildcats.
New Hampshire ranks second in the league in total offense at 420 yards per game and is fourth in scoring with 27.9 points per contest. The Wildcats’ 220 first downs also lead the Atlantic 10.
“New Hampshire’s a great rival for us and they’re a great football team, particularly scary on the offensive side of the ball, because of all the thingsthey do and the people they do it with,” said Cosgrove, who likes what he has seen from his team of late.
“We’ve kind of made such strides, sometimes you don’t want the season to end,” Cosgrove said.
The season, and the careers, of 13 UMaine seniors does end today. Among them are unsung players like Jeff Whitney, Lamin Sisay, Steve Shepard and Todd Elwell.
Whitney, from Silver Springs, Md., has served as the Bears’ long snapper on punts, PATs and field goals for the last two seasons. He has been nearly flawless.
“He’s as good a long-snapper as I’ve every been around in terms of consistency and performance,” Cosgrove said. “The kid’s been tremendous. We’ve probably taken him for granted.”
Lamin Sisay’s persistence and dedication have paid off in making him a regular at fullback for UMaine. The rugged player from Nashua, N.H., has played in eight games this season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
“He’s really been an important part of our offense in a blocking capacity and running the football,” Cosgrove said. “He’s contributed with his demeanor, his practice habits and his intensity.”
Steve Shepard of Brunswick has earned his keep for the Bears as a solid defensive lineman and as a member of the punt and kickoff return teams.
“He’s been a guy who has done a lot for us in terms of the defensive line,” Cosgrove said. “He’s played a lot of spots and has been a key on the special teams as well.”
Todd Elwell closes out a career during which he has shared punting and placekicking duties. The Centerville, Mass., native has carved a niche for himself as UMaine’s punter on shorter kicks designed to pin opponents deep in their own territory.
“He’s been a great ‘sky’ punter for us. That’s been his specialty,” Cosgrove said. “He’s done a great job.”
The rest of UMaine’s senior crew includes talented wide receivers Dwayne Wilmot and Phil McGeoghan. Wilmot, of Freeport, N.Y., ranks fourth all-time at UMaine with 164 receptions and is seventh with 1,897 yards.
McGeoghan (Feeding Hills, Mass.) is fourth on UMaine’s career list with 2,250 receiving yards and is fifth with 158 catches.
Ben Christopher (Tewksbury, Mass.,) has been dangerous as a runner and pass receiver, especially with the likes of center Paul Paradis (Eliot), guard Chris McLaughlin (Gardiner) and tackle Pete Nenstiel (Weston, Pa.) blocking for him.
Record-setting placekicker Todd Jagoutz of Duxbury, Mass., owns school marks for points (206), field goals (35) and leads the league with a 41.1-yard punting average. Defensive back Jason Betts (Montclair, N.J.) ranks second on the team this season with 64 tackles.
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