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Only two weeks into the 2002 season, the University of Maine football team is setting itself up for another fall to remember.
Two days after beating 11th-ranked William & Mary 27-14 at Alfond Stadium in Orono, coach Jack Cosgrove’s 2-0 Black Bears have broken into the Top 10.
UMaine was ranked sixth in the country in Monday’s Division I-AA national poll compiled by The Sports Network.
The Bears ended the 2001 campaign ranked 10th and 12th, respectively, in the two major polls. That came on the heels of a 9-3 season that included a share of the Atlantic 10 championship, an NCAA first-round playoff victory, and an appearance in the national quarterfinals.
It is the highest ranking for UMaine since 1989, when quarterback Mike Buck and the Bears were 8-0 and moved as high as No. 4 in the official NCAA rankings.
The excitement continues to build on the Orono campus.
“We’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing; play like we’ve been playing, prepare like we’ve been preparing,” said senior quarterback Jake Eaton, who Saturday night passed Emilio Colon for third place on UMaine’s all-time passing yardage list with 5,646.
That doesn’t mean the Bears are taking anything for granted, especially going into Saturday’s game at No. 11 Villanova.
“The older guys, we’ve been around tough times so we know what it’s like and we know in this conference, in Division I-AA, it’s week by week,” Eaton said.
Defending national champion Montana holds down the No. 1 spot, followed by Lehigh, McNeese State, Northern Iowa and Appalachian State. UMaine is joined in the Top 25 by No. 11 Villanova, No. 15 Delaware, No. 17 Hofstra, No. 18 William & Mary, No. 22 Northeastern and No. 23 Richmond.
The recent influx of talented young players is among the reasons for UMaine’s continued success. Among them is sophomore tailback Marcus Williams, who has posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games while emerging as the go-to guy in the Bears’ backfield.
“Marcus is like 11-3 since he’s been here,” Cosgrove said with a smile, “not too many guys can claim that at Maine. He thinks it’s like this [winning] all the time.”
Williams nodded, wearing a big grin.
But team and coaching staff realize there is not time to sit back and enjoy the ranking or the attention.
“We said all week long, this [William & Mary game] was not going to be a season-maker nor a season-ender,” Cosgrove said. “We’re going into Villanova [Saturday] – that’s a challenge and a half – and we’re going to be ready for that one, because these guys know how to prepare.”
Russell named to UMaine post
Shaun Russell has been named the athletic marketing and promotions director at the University of Maine, interim athletic director Paul Bubb announced Monday.
Russell, a Westbrook native, graduated cum laude from UMaine in 2001 with a B.S. in business administration and a concentration in marketing. He is a former student assistant in the school’s athletic department.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to join the UMaine athletic staff in the marketing director capacity,” Russell said. “This is going to be an exciting year for Black Bear athletics and I’m looking forward to being part of that excitement.”
Russell joins UMaine after working for Forum Financial Group in Portland as a fund accountant.
UMaine offers tickets on charters
UMaine is offering Black Bear football fans a chance to see the team compete on the road this season.
Fans are being offered the chance to travel with the team on charter flights to games at Villanova, James Madison and Richmond. The cost is $275 per seat, which includes round-trip air travel from Bangor and a ticket to the game.
Registration forms may be downloaded at GoBlackBears.com and must include payment. Requests must be completed by the Wednesday prior to the game.
The Sept. 14 Villanova game is a one-day trip, while the Oct. 5 game at James Madison and the Nov. 16 contest at Richmond will include a Friday departure and a Saturday night return.
For more information, contact the Black Bear Club at 581-1130.
Bowdoin names softball coach
Jen Burton, a former All-America East pitcher at the University of Maine, has been named the head softball coach at Bowdoin College in Brunswick.
Burton, a native of Winslow, replaces Dawn Strout, who will retain her duties as the Polar Bears’ strength and conditioning coach and assistant field hockey coach.
Burton, who played on the Black Raiders’ 1993 state championship team, previously coached two seasons at Nokomis High in Newport. She served as Bowdoin’s pitching coach in 2001.
MMA plans Sept. 11 tribute
The Maine Maritime Academy women’s soccer team has planned a brief ceremony Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Prior to Wednesday’s 7:05 p.m. soccer game against Unity College at Ritchie Field, each of the MMA players will be introduced and will present a black wrist band to a Unity team member. The bands will be worn throughout the game.
The colors will be presented by the MMA Drill Team and the national anthem will be played by the band. A moment of silence at 7 p.m. and the playing of “Amazing Grace” by MMA student Evan Parks will close out the ceremony.
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