ORONO – Playing home games on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium has become a special sense of pride and ownership for the University of Maine football team in recent years.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears defend their territory with grit and determination, as evidenced by their eight consecutive victories on the AstroTurf. UMaine, ranked 11th in the country, will need plenty of resolve tonight when it takes on No. 10 William & Mary.

Junior receivers Paris Minor and Stefan Gomes, who were withheld from last week’s game for violating team rules, will be allowed to play in today’s game, according to Paul Bubb, UMaine’s interim athletic director.

Bubb said before last week’s game he gained information on Minor and Gomes and said he felt it was appropriate to take time to gain clarity regarding the situation.

“As I have had the opportunity to review information and better understand university procedures, I have decided to allow Paris and Stefan to return to competition,” Bubb said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in a game between the teams picked to finish one (W&M) and two in the preseason coaches poll.

The 1-0 Bears, who have been ranked in the top 25 for nine consecutive game weeks, have the utmost respect for the Tribe (0-1). Still, UMaine is thrilled to have such a big home game early in the season.

“You don’t let somebody come into your house and take something away from you,” Cosgrove said. “At home, we’ve got to be the one that takes the lead in the battle, takes the lead in the game, to preserve and maintain our home.”

Tonight’s challenge is a daunting one for UMaine, which is 0-5 all-time against William & Mary. The Tribe shared the A-10 championship with the Bears last season.

“Over the years, they have demonstrated the ability to win on a regular basis, to be a regular in the playoffs, to be a regular at competing for the conference championship,” Cosgrove said. “We want to be there on a regular basis like they have.”

The game matches two of the league’s elite quarterbacks in the Tribe’s Dave Corley and UMaine’s Jake Eaton. Corley has had his way with the Bears in the past, averaging 258 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the previous three meetings, completing 66 passes without an interception.

“I really think he’s as dangerous a player as there is in this conference,” Cosgrove said. “He throws it very accurately, he can run it, he makes great decisions, he’s smart, he competes.”

He also boasts one of the league’s top wideouts in Rich Musinski, who had six catches and a TD last week in a loss at Division I-A Indiana.

UMaine counters with Eaton, who was sharp in the opener against Central Connecticut. He now again has the benefit of throwing to leading receivers Gomes and Minor.

Gomes made 60 receptions for 787 yards last season while Minor caught 52 passes for 754 yards.

UMaine would prefer to dictate the action with its offensive line, which is led by Matt Hammond, Pete Richardson of Millinocket, and Mike Leconte.

“Sometimes these games come down to those fourth-and-ones or third-and-shorts,” Cosgrove said.

Each team features a sophomore tailback, the Bears’ Marcus Williams and the Tribe’s Jon Smith.

“There’s a lot of similarities to these football teams,” Cosgrove said.

The UMaine defense must contend with a balanced William & Mary offense. Corley and Co. will put pressure on the secondary and young strong safeties Matt DiBiase and Brandon McGowan.

End Brendan Curry, inside ‘backer Stephen Cooper, and free safety Dave Cusano headline the UMaine defense. The Tribe counters with linebacker Andrew Solomon, SS Marques Bobo, and ‘backer Mohammed Youssofi.

UMaine may be without the services of starting fullback John Gelsomino, who has an injury to his right foot.