Last year at this time, the University of Maine football team was simply trying to build some momentum toward 2006.

This week, coach Jack Cosgrove’s 19th-ranked Black Bears are preparing for their toughest and most important test of the season at No. 3 and Atlantic 10 North Division leader Massachusetts.

“It’s exciting, because we haven’t had this since ’02,” Cosgrove said. “That’s the last time we were here in November playing for a championship, so this is exciting.”

UMaine (6-3) is one of only three conference teams with a winning record in league play at 5-1. With New Hampshire and Towson both having suffered losses damaging to their postseason hopes last weekend, the Bears must win again at Amherst to remain in the playoff hunt.

“Real football teams surface this time of year,” Cosgrove said. “Your physical and mental toughness will have to come up each and every rep.”

Allen runs with chance

With freshman wideout Ryan Callahan having left the program last week, the Bears made some noticeable changes in their offensive game plan in Saturday’s convincing victory over Northeastern.

First, UMaine used versatile senior Arel Gordon, who has played mostly at tailback this fall, more as a wide receiver. The opened the door for someone else to earn some carries.

Sophomore Teron Allen stepped in and gave the Bears a strong effort, gaining 51 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown.

“What Teron gave us was a downhill presence in the I-formation at times,” Cosgrove said. “He’s straight-ahead for the most part, but he leans into the thing and his legs are going.”

Allen, who saw action in four games last season, had been plagued by injury problems. Despite having his progress slowed, he has continued to work hard behind the scenes.

“That’s what it’s about, taking advantage of opportunities,” Allen said. “Everyone has their turn. It took me a while to realize that, actually, because I’m the type of guy I want to get in there and play, but everybody has to go through the cycle.”

Offensive coordinator Bobby Wilder also utilized sophomore tailback Jhamal Fluellen and junior fullback Anthony Cotrone as ballcarriers and called a few plays for tight end Matt Mulligan of West Enfield. All of the changes also seemed to help make the passing game more effective and Gordon (7 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs) was a primary beneficiary.

UMaine had intended to throw more often at Rhode Island, but had their plans washed away by heavy rain, winds and soggy field conditions.

“We’ve got to be able to be more balanced on offense and that’s ultimately our goal, to be able to have a great blend of run and pass,” Cosgrove said.

Whitcomb sets mark, ties second

Quarterback Ron Whitcomb has again added his name to the UMaine football record book.

The senior from Rochester, N.Y., threw for two touchdowns in Saturday’s win over Northeastern and has tied Bears great Mike Buck with 67 career TD passes. He also has attempted 1,209 passes, again surpassing Buck’s 1,203.

Earlier this season, Whitcomb became UMaine’s all-time completions leader and now has 706.

Whitcomb, who has directed the spread offense effectively since the change was implemented midway through last season, is closing in on a handful of other UMaine records. He is on pace to set career marks for passing yards and total offense.

UMaine’s Underwood returns

Senior guard Ashley Underwood of Benton returned to the court for the UMaine women’s basketball team during Sunday’s exhibition win over Assumption, albeit in a greatly reduced role.

Underwood, who missed about a month of preseason with a stress fracture in her right leg, was cleared to return to practice a week ago. Restricted to only 10 minutes of action, five in each half, she played a total of nine minutes against Assumption.

Underwood scored five points, grabbed a rebound and had an assist. While she appeared a bit slower than usual, her presence makes a difference for UMaine.

“To have Ashley back in the lineup for the limited time we did get her in (Sunday) was an encouraging thing for us,” said Bears coach Ann McInerney.

Underwood is expected to see limited action in Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. season opener against William & Mary at Alfond Arena in Orono.

“It will be good to have her back,” McInerney said. “She has such a sense of pride in wearing the Maine uniform and I think that comes through loud and clear when she takes the court.”

UM hockey lands power forward

Glenn Belmore, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound left winger from Cornwall, Ontario, has verbally committed to attend the University of Maine next fall.

The 19-year-old Belmore is playing for the Wellington Dukes in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League and has 13 goals and 10 assists in 17 games.

“He’s one of the better players in our league. He’s a power forward,” said Tod Lavender, who coaches the team along with Marty Abrams. “He’s a very good skater. That’s his strongest attribute. He works extremely hard every day. You always know he’s going to give you his best effort. He’s a big, strong kid who finishes every hit and, this year, he’s been putting the puck in the net.”

Lavender also called Belmore a “leader” and mentioned he has been involved in a variety of community projects and humanitarian ventures like organizing a hockey tournament to raise money for the world food bank.

Belmore said he is “ecstatic” about attending Maine.

“The school is unbelievable. I was sold on the commitment to hockey as well as the academic programs at the school,” said Belmore.

He said he lost 10-15 pounds over the summer to improve his speed and it has also enabled him to release his more quickly.

He said he has to “get a lot stronger, especially along the boards and carrying the puck” between now and next fall and he also has to get “a lot faster.”

Belmore’s coming to Maine is contingent upon his being accepted into the institution and meeting NCAA Clearinghouse requirements.