ORONO – When the University of Maine football team takes the field for Saturday’s Atlantic 10 regular-season finale against New Hampshire, a group of eight seniors may be gracing the Morse Field AstroTurf for the final time.

The talented group, headed by co-captains Jake Eaton, Stephen Cooper and Brendan Curry, has helped UMaine compile a 27-18 record during their careers, including last season’s 9-2 mark, A-10 conference championship, and the program’s first NCAA postseason appearance and victory.

“They were part of a truly definable growth period in our program,” said coach Jack Cosgrove, who welcomed five of the players in 1998, when UMaine first opened Alfond Stadium.

The Black Bears’ senior class includes two of the best players at their positions ever to wear a UMaine uniform. Eaton, a four-year starter at quarterback, and Cooper, a four-year fixture at inside linebacker, are roommates and close friends.

“Stephen Cooper and Jake Eaton have been our difference-makers the last couple years and have allowed us to win the close games,” Cosgrove said.

Eaton, who will not play today because of a torn knee ligament, owns the UMaine career completion percentage record at .594. He ranks third all-time with 59 touchdown passes, 7,145 passing yards and is the top rushing quarterback at UMaine with 937 yards.

“He’s a guy who personifies the term winner,” Cosgrove said. “Jake’s the maestro, guy who makes everything happen and has that fine-artsy type of ability to motivate and to lead. He’s a first-class kid.”

Cooper has emerged as one of the nation’s top I-AA linebackers. Last year’s A-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan Award finalist has racked up 226 career tackles, seven interceptions and 23 sacks.

“He’s been a great leader and it’s not just on field on Saturdays but in the weight room, in the offseason,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a great leader in our locker room. I’ve said of Coop he’s got an ‘S’ [for Superman] on his chest.”

Curry, a third-team all-league pick last season, has been a fixture at defensive end for the Bears. He has 161 career tackles, including 40 for a loss of yardage. But his accomplishments at UMaine reach far beyond the football field.

“He’s matured tremendously over the years,” Cosgrove said. “We knew he could play football and we knew he was tough, but the areas of growth for him have been as a person and as a student.”

David Cusano has been a three-year starter, the last two at free safety. The all-conference third-teamer has posted 179 tackles and seven interceptions while directing the UMaine secondary.

“He’s been a great player, as good a safety as we’ve ever had here,” Cosgrove said. “He’s one of the reasons we can play such an aggressive defense.

“David is without question, in a year-round capacity, the best conditioned athletes I’ve ever been around,” he added.

John Gelsomino earned the starting fullback job in 2001 and has been a fixture there ever since. The converted tight end has rushed for 207 yards and five TDs while catching 45 passes for 482 yards and three scores in his career.

“He’s really been tough, hard-nosed,” Cosgrove said. “We moved him to fullback and he has been instrumental in our growth as a team.”

Rob Kierstead of South Portland has earned a reputation as one of the Bears’ most dependable players. The inside linebacker has amassed 166 career tackles, including 19 for losses, with two interceptions.

“Rob’s a real heady kid,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a stabilizing force on our defense. Rob is always going to be where he should be, doing what he should be doing.”

Amos Hall has been part of the Bears’ defensive line rotation for three seasons, but has been hampered by injuries. He has 37 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in 2000 against Northeastern.

“He has served in various capacities as a defensive lineman for us,” Cosgrove said. “The biggest thing you’d say about him is he’s undersized but he plays with a lot of tenacity and energy.”

Rounding out the class is Eric Swick, who has junior athletic eligibility but will graduate next year. The walk-on tight end was moved to defensive tackle, but has seen limited game action.

“He’s been a hardworking kid in our program,” Cosgrove said. “He’s been a real good student and was the recipient of a bronze medallion in 2002 as a UMaine Scholar-Athlete.”