ORONO – Matt King was poised last fall to have a breakout season for the University of Maine football team.

It literally slipped through his fingertips.

King sustained not one but two “jersey finger” injuries in 2005, derailing his bid to establish himself as one of the top defensive ends in the Atlantic 10.

With his fingers – one on each hand – having healed, the senior co-captain is determined to help the Black Bears re-attain status as one of the top programs in the league and in Division I-AA.

The 6-foot34, 245-pounder from Stoughton, Mass., is excited about the campaign, which begins Sept. 9 at seventh-ranked Youngstown State (Ohio).

“Everybody gets along with each other,” King said of UMaine’s camaraderie. “We’re all hardworking kids, no-nonsense kids. Everybody is focused on the team. This year, everybody just wants a [championship] ring.”

King has been a rising star in the UMaine program since his arrival in 2002. He came in a lanky linebacker with tremendous potential and has continued to grow, work and improve.

“We’re obviously anxious, excited for Matt to have an opportunity to get back on the field,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove. “He’s learned the game and he’s responded to the challenges on the field and become what we think is going to be an outstanding player for us this year.”

After cutting his teeth on special teams, King worked his way into the rotation at defensive end in 2003, then made nine starts in 2004 and finished with 43 tackles. His progress was halted last season in the Sept. 17 game against Richmond when he suffered an injury known as “jersey finger.”

While making a tackle, the middle finger on King’s left hand became entangled in an opponent’s jersey. The result was a torn tendon in his left middle finger that left him unable to bend the last joint.

King had surgery to repair the damage and began physical therapy after being told he would miss the rest of the season. Though frustrated by his inability to contribute on the field, King found other ways.

“The best thing I could do was just help out Derek [Runnells] and the younger guys with mental stuff on the field,” King said. “I kind of became like a coach and helped out [former defensive line] coach Commish [Jeff Commisiong].”

When the team was on the road, King dedicated himself to watching film to improve his knowledge and technique. Six weeks later, he was begging head trainer Paul Culina and his doctor to let him back on the field.

Finally, at King’s urging, Culina devised a cast and protective pad for the finger. With the doctor’s approval, he returned to practice.

King lasted five minutes.

“That had to be as strange a situation as I’ve ever witnessed,” Cosgrove said. “I felt pain for the kid, because it’s so important for him to be out with his teammates and he had done everything in his power to make that happen.”

King suffered the same exact injury on the other [right] hand, forcing him to go through another surgery and several more weeks of therapy.

“I was trying to move it and I was like aw, man, you’ve got to be kidding me,” King said.

He patiently worked his way back to good health and was able to resume weight training in March. Though worried about reinjuring one of the fingers, King made it through spring workouts unscathed.

King spent his summer working the early morning shift [4-8 a.m.] at the FedEx warehouse in Bangor, then joining his teammates for workouts on campus.

“I unloaded some heavy boxes, some big-screen TVs, some furniture. It was a fast-paced job,” King said. “I’d come to the [team] workouts and half the guys would be groggy and sleepy-eyed and I was ready to go because I’d just worked for four hours.”

King, who combines size, strength and speed, is a key cog on the Bears’ defensive line.

“We put a lot on his play,” said first-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith, describing King as a hybrid with linebacker/lineman. “He’s got to be able to run, but also be able to get in there and stop the run and do a great job on the pass rush.”

King is proud to be part of a formidable unit that looks to set the tone for the whole defense. He is especially excited about the depth of the line group.

“We go out there and play with a swagger,” King said. “We’re confident.”

Despite being recruited by Northeastern and Massachusetts, King has found UMaine very much to his liking.

“It’s been a great experience,” he said. “This school has provided me with great coaches and teachers and a family atmosphere.”

King, who is majoring in mass communications with a minor in public relations, has been a model student-athlete.

“He provides a great example for the younger guys,” Smith said. “He has excellent work ethic. He does things right day-in, day-out.”