UM’s Griffin among finalists at Tenn.-Martin

University of Maine assistant football coach Matt Griffin is among four finalists for the head coaching position at the University of Tennessee-Martin, according to a report in the Jackson (Tenn.) Sun.

Griffin, who is in his fourth season with the Bears, was the offensive coordinator at Tennessee-Martin from 1997-99 prior to taking the UMaine position in 1999. He is in his third season as the Bears’ offensive line coach. Griffin also serves as the Bears’ recruiting coordinator.

Griffin was originally expected to interview for the position Friday, according to Tenn.-Martin athletic director Phil Dane, but may have to postpone his visit since the Bears are playing at Georgia Southern this week in the second round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

As a player, Griffin played quarterback at New Hampshire, where he led the Yankee Conference in passing efficiency and captained the Wildcats as a senior in 1991. He also has been an assistant coach at Plymouth State, Richmond, and Northeastern.

Injured McGowan misses game

UMaine went into Saturday’s contest minus one of its best defensive players.

Sophomore strong safety Brandon McGowan, who injured his left knee during Wednesday’s practice in Orono, was unable to play against Appalachian State. He ranks second on the team with 88 tackles, including 10 for negative yardage, and also had two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a blocked kick.

McGowan was replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore Matt DiBiase of South Portland. DiBiase had lost his starting job to freshman Joan Quezada prior to the New Hampshire game.

Mellow was no ‘Charlie Brown’

Anyone who saw Saturday’s UMaine-ASU game might have wondered whether UMaine placekicker Mike Mellow had suddenly developed the kickoff tendencies of cartoon character Charlie Brown.

On the second-half kickoff, Mellow appeared to hook the ball badly to his left and out of bounds, giving the Mountaineers the ball at their own 35-yard line. However, when Mellow’s other two kickoffs in the half took a similar path to the left and out of bounds, it was clear the move was intentional.

Coach Jack Cosgrove later explained the Bears had determined they would not kick the ball deep to dangerous ASU return specialist Derrick Black, who is averaging 26.9 yards per return. UMaine kicked off three times and Black never touched the ball.

Bears snap Mountaineer streak

UMaine achieved a rare accomplishment in beating Appalachian State on Saturday.

The Mountaineers had racked up 32 consecutive victories in games during which they had a player rush for 100 yards or more. Jerry Beard netted 119 against the Bears, who promptly ended that streak.

Game on the big screen

ASU’s Kidd Brewer Stadium is a beautiful facility, one that features the same AstroTurf surface used on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

In addition to the beauty of the natural mountain surroundings, one nifty item the Mountaineers have is a state-of-the-art video monitor on their scoreboard. ASU broadcasts most of the game live over the big screen and also provides fans in the stands with replays.