ORONO – Last fall, Ron Whitcomb’s primary job as a freshman quarterback at the University of Maine was to run the “scout” team offense.

This week, Whitcomb is preparing in earnest to make his collegiate debut as the Black Bears’ starting quarterback.

UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove has made public the coaching staff’s choice of Whitcomb as the heir apparent to standout Jake Eaton.

“When he puts his eyes on you in the huddle, there’s a confidence in his ability and his presentation,” Cosgrove said after Wednesday morning’s steamy practice.

“He was consistent in all aspects of what we ask of the quarterback,” he said.

Whitcomb outdueled junior Jon Meczywor, who led UMaine to two victories (one in the playoffs) last season, and sophomore Chris Legree, who was the backup most of 2002.

“I feel real good about what happened. I’ve put a lot of hard work into the situation,” said Whitcomb, a 6-foot, 220-pounder from East Rochester, N.Y., who will lead the offense onto Morse Field in the Bears’ Aug. 30 season opener against Montana.

“Any of the three of us could have started … but it’s a great opportunity for me to start the next four years,” he added.

When Eaton and backup Legree both went down with injuries at Richmond last November, Whitcomb was thrust into the backup role for the Bears’ final regular-season game at New Hampshire.

While Whitcomb had showed promise all season, the way he handled the pressure of that week told UMaine associate head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Wilder a great deal about the young man.

“That meant his redshirt, at that point, was very much in question,” Wilder explained. “With a snap of the fingers, he was thrust into a pressure role.”

Rather than fret about losing a year of eligibility, Whitcomb joined Meczywor in preparing diligently for the remaining games. He spent countless hours watching film and studying, just in case he should be called upon.

“It caught my eye right there that this kid was incredibly serious about wanting this job,” Wilder said. “He was excited. He said, ‘whatever the team needs from me to win.’ ”

Preparation has been Whitcomb’s focus, both during the offseason and at training camp. He is responsible for knowing 100 possible pass plays and 57 different run plays broken down against three different defensive front alignments.

“You’ve got to learn how to work hard at reading defenses, so when you get to the field you take the mental aspect of it away and make the game that much easier,” Whitcomb said.

Cosgrove is encouraged by the way Whitcomb has approached his responsibilities in directing UMaine’s multifaceted offensive scheme.

“Our offense is really quarterback-oriented,” Cosgrove said. “Coach Wilder and the offensive staff have a high demand on the intellect of the quarterback and his ability to do his job. Ronnie’s a very highly organized young man. His mental approach to the game will be something that I think will be a strength of his.”

Meczywor will enter the season as the backup QB, while Legree is No. 3 on the depth chart. Their combined experience behind Whitcomb gives the Bears exceptional depth.

“We’ve never been so strong at quarterback as we are now,” Wilder said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to play any of the three of them.”

Whitehead pleased with recruit

University of Maine men’s ice hockey coach Tim Whitehead announced Thursday that Mike Lundin (Apple Valley, Minn.) will attend the University of Maine and will join the men’s ice hockey team this fall. Lundin, a 6-2, 180-pound defenseman, played at Apple Valley High School and served as captain last season.

“We are very excited that Mike will be coming to Maine this fall,” said UMaine head coach Tim Whitehead. “He is a great athlete with excellent hockey sense and great playmaking ability.”

Lundin, who was a finalist for the 2003 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award, scored eight goals and added 20 assists in 27 games last year. Lundin was also named the Minneapolis Star Tribune Metro Hockey Player of the Year award, and received Associated Press Minnesota Hockey Player of the Year honors.

Maine volleyball team picked 6th

The University of Maine volleyball team was picked sixth in the America East preseason coaches poll, released Thursday. The Black Bears received 17 points in the poll.

The Black Bears return all-conference selection junior Carmen Gabriel and all-rookie pick sophomore Leah Guidinger.

New Hampshire led the poll with 49 points and seven first-place votes, while Northeastern was second. Albany finished third with UMBC fourth and Stony Brook fifth.

Following UMaine is Hartford and Binghamton. The Black Bears open the season with the Sea-Sun Invitational, Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 at Memorial Gym in Orono. The tournament will match the Black Bears against Penn State, Colorado, Southeast Missouri State and Rhode Island.