ORONO – In the Atlantic 10, there is a fine line between winning a championship and finishing 6-5. Nobody knows that better than University of Maine coach Jack Cosgrove, who will try to direct his team to a third straight league title.

That quest begins Saturday at 6 p.m., when the 14th-ranked Black Bears entertain No. 3 Montana at Alfond Stadium.

“Two years [as conference co-champions and NCAA quarterfinalists] is great, but three years is better,” Cosgrove said. “We want to continue to stay at that high level.”

The Bears are 20-6 the last two seasons, so most of the players know how to win. Cosgrove hopes that translates into a greater appreciation of what it takes to keep winning.

“It’s great to have that kind of experience on your team, but we certainly don’t want to just fall back on that,” Cosgrove said. “You’ve got to look forward, to prepare yourself for the challenges of what is a great first-game opponent, a great schedule and the always strong Atlantic 10.”

Rookie to direct veteran offense

The UMaine offense expects to be more potent after ranking seventh in A-10 total offense with 336 yards per game and fifth in scoring (24.5 ppg) in 2002. The trick will be incorporating a new quarterback, redshirt freshman Ron Whitcomb.

Whitcomb, who beat out veterans Jon Meczywor and Chris Legree for the spot, is a versatile QB who can run and throw.

“Ron has put himself in a position to be the starter because he has done everything physically and mentally,” said UMaine associate head coach Bobby Wilder.

Whitcomb lacks collegiate experience, but is surrounded by a seasoned offensive line, a talented trio of tailbacks, a hard-nosed fullback and a versatile corps of wide receivers.

The Bears’ “Pound the Rock” philosophy starts up front, where senior tackles Pete Richardson of Millinocket and Matt Hammond, along with center Mike Leconte of South Portland, set the tone. Juniors Josh Watson of Limington and converted defensive lineman Evign Dodge of Berwick fill out the starting front five.

Mark Lehner and Ryan Bird add experience.

The line is complemented by junior tight end Dante Fusco, an excellent blocker and capable receiver, and sure-handed freshman TE Kendrick Ballantyne of Gorham.

“We have a lot of confidence in our guys up front and that helps to have a veteran crew to go forward with a new leader at quarterback,” Cosgrove said.

UMaine’s outstanding trio of tailbacks is led by junior Marcus Williams, who piled up 1,406 yards last year en route to a second-team all-league spot. He has developed into a more elusive ballcarrier.

“He’s faster, quicker, better with the eyes, better on his cuts, and he has strengthened himself in the weight room,” Cosgrove said.

Williams will be spelled by junior Onyi Momah and sophomore Montell Owens.

“We obviously have a great situation at tailback, so our No. 1 priority is to get the ball to those kids,” Wilder said.

Senior captain Michael Zyskowski gives UMaine a battering ram at fullback, where Dzigbodi Ababio is the backup.

A deep corps of wide receivers is led by sophs Ryan Waller and Kevin McMahan and Ivi Nwosu and junior Christian Pereira. Steve Williams, Ron Waller and freshman Arel Gordon also should contribute.

The Bears should be harder to defend than ever.

Defense dinged-up, dangerous

The UMaine defense needs leaders to emerge after losing All-America Stephen Cooper and a handful of other key performers. However, the Bears have been dealing with numerous injuries in trying to reload.

There is ample experience and skill up front, where senior captain Dennis Dottin-Carter and Marcus Walton are among the leaders. Both have been slowed by preseason injuries. End Brian Mann is another seasoned veteran.

In the middle tackles Pat Pau and Dan Joslyn are proven commodities as is Mark Stetson, who is recovering from an undisclosed illness.

“They set the tone,” defensive coordinator Rich Nagy said of the front four, which is supported by two newcomers at inside linebacker. Senior Fred Lazo and sophomore Jermaine Walker have big shoes to fill in the middle.

“Those two guys have made a lot of progress,” Nagy said, adding Matt King and Justin Knox of Rome will also see duty.

Sophomore Joan Quezada has big-play capabilities at strong safety, while converted tailback James Henry and Maurice Garlic will play rover.

Injuries have thinned the cornerback ranks as seniors Jarod Gomes and Devon Goree are both coming off shoulder surgery. Gomes is out for the season. Soph Clinton Brown will start on one side, while John Baumgartner backs up Goree. Derek Martinez also is expected to play.

The glue to the defense, if healthy, is junior free safety Brandon McGowan, who injured his knee late last season. He’s backed up by Alex Goyins and Henry.

“[McGowan] can have the impact at that position that Coop had at linebacker for us,” Nagy said. “We need him to play that way.”

The defense is blessed with talent, but injuries could force some unproven players to step in sooner than later.

“We’ve had some guys who really have had a chance to get better in camp in the defensive line and the secondary as a result of more opportunities,” Cosgrove said.

Shoring up special teams

The Bears have a proven place-kicker and punter in junior Mike Mellow, who converted 40 of 42 PATs and 10 of 18 field goals last season while averaging 36 yards per punt.

“We expect him to kick with the best kickers and punters in the league,” Cosgrove said.

Mellow is backed up by PK Chris DeVinney of South Portland and punter Meczywor.

UMaine seeks more production from its kick returners this season and is looking to Owens, Henry and Gordon to provide big-play potential.