ORONO – Coach Jack Cosgrove and the University of Maine football coaching staff preach a simple philosophy to all their players:

At any moment, you’re only one play away from being called upon, so you have to be ready when that time arrives.

Never has that been more evident than during the past six days. When starting senior quarterback Jake Eaton suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s game at Richmond, redshirt sophomore Chris Legree ran onto the field for his first significant varsity test.

Legree finished out the game and threw the deciding touchdown pass in the Black Bears’ 21-14 victory, despite having sustained a bruised shoulder. When practice resumed Monday, he was unable to go.

In the meantime sophomore Jon Meczywor began taking most of the snaps in practice. He did so Monday through Wednesday, with Legree held out to rest his shoulder.

However, the speedy Legree is expected to get the starting nod during Saturday’s crucial Atlantic 10 regular-season finale against traditional rival New Hampshire at Alfond Stadium.

“Chris Legree’s going to start. He’ll be fine by Saturday,” associate head coach Bobby Wilder said Thursday. “He’s been the backup all year, so he’s gotten the work all year.”

Legree was expected to return to practice Thursday afternoon and begin game preparation in earnest. Wilder said Legree will be ready to go.

“He played well down at Richmond coming into a tough, tough situation,” Wilder said. “We were very pleased with what he’s done.”

In the event Legree should reaggravate his injury, Meczywor and freshman Ron Whitcomb have been getting a good amount of work this week, so they’re both prepared to play.

“The great thing about the kids on this team, particularly the quarterbacks, is they all get ready each week like they’re going to play and they’re very accountable to each other,” Wilder said. “There’s no question Chris can go into the game and play and he’ll play well.”

Legree has completed nine of 21 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns in six games this season. He has not been intercepted.

Bears on the mend

With the exception of Eaton, who is out indefinitely with a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, UMaine should be back to nearly full strength for the New Hampshire game.

Senior free safety Dave Cusano and sophomore defensive end Marcus Walton, both of whom suffered concussions against Delaware, are expected to be back in the lineup after missing the Richmond game.

Senior linebacker Stephen Cooper also appears to be regaining mobility in his left ankle. Cooper, who sat out two games with the injury, was steady upon his return at Richmond and should be even better this week.

Sophomore offensive tackle Mark Lehner, who missed the Richmond game after reaggravating injuries to his right knee and ankle, also is expected to be ready to go on Saturday.