Building depth is among the primary goals of the University of Maine football coaching staff.

The Black Bears, ranked 11th in Monday’s Sports Network national poll, were able to get some valuable game experience for numerous players, including several freshmen, during Saturday night’s 52-3 win over Central Connecticut.

Last season, coach Jack Cosgrove wound up using 25 first-year players in game action. A handful were starters and several became key backups.

UMaine utilized no fewer than 55 players in the lopsided win over CCSU. Among them were six first-year players and seven redshirt freshmen, those who sat out last season.

“The more [players] we get involved and the better we bring along our players – the situation in the second half allowed that to happen – we’re going to be better served in the long, 12-game season, by it,” Cosgrove said.

Most of the first-year players served as reserves or on special teams, although Clinton Brown started at cornerback. Wide receiver Kevin McMahan, defensive backs Maurice Garlic and Joan Quezada, and offensive linemen Brian Quinn and Ryan Bird also played in their first game.

Among the second-year guys, wideout Ron Waller, tight end Josh Radulski and H-back Dzigbodi Ababio saw extensive action, as did backup quarterback Chris Legree.

Sarturday’s game provided a valuable training ground for younger players.

“I think we continued to play well, got a lot of people on the field in the second half, which is important to the development of this football team and our program,” Cosgrove said.

Lopsided schedule-filler a success

UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove realized when he scheduled the game against Central Connecticut that the Bears would be in a good position to win the game.

However, he enjoyed watching his team’s response to playing an opponent they knew might not measure up because of its non-scholarship status.

“It was a great opportunity to play a football game,” said Cosgrove, who added the contest as the Bears’ 12th of the season.

“A lot of teams stayed at 11 in our league,” he said. “The Northeast just doesn’t provide a lot of teams and we can’t get too many places inexpensively.”

Cosgrove lauded Central Connecticut coach Paul Schudel for stepping up to play UMaine.

“They may be reaching a little bit further than they’re capable of right now, but these are the things you have to do to build a program,” said Cosgrove, whose program might benefit from taking on a Division I-A school, which would bring with it a tough challenge and some financial benefits.

“That might be a thought in the distant future,” he said when asked whether UMaine might consider such a move.

No time for gloating

The UMaine football team has begun preparations for its Atlantic 10 opener, Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against preseason league favorite William & Mary at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

“There’ll be a tremendous level of excitement around the football game because, in my opinion, this is the best team in the A-10 coming to our place and we’ve got an eight-game winning streak [in Orono],” Cosgrove said.

William & Mary lost 25-17 Saturday at I-A Indiana.

“We’ve got a big test next week,” said Bears quarterback Jake Eaton. “We want to show them we can play with them and that we’re for real.”