The University of Maine football team’s defensive unit, best in the nation against the run (63.9 yards per game) and second in total defense (229.9 ypg), placed seven players on the three All-Atlantic 10 Football defensive units.

Defensive tackle Mike DeVito of Wellfleet, Mass. and end Matt King of Stoughton, Mass. were joined on the first team defense by cornerback Manauris Arias of Union City, N.J. All are seniors.

Senior safety Daren Stone was a second team selection while junior tackle Bruno Dorismond; junior linebacker John Wormuth and sophomore linebacker Andrew Downey were third team choices.

Maine had one player earn an offensive accolade as senior running back Arel Gordon was a second team selection along with Northeastern University senior tight end and Gorham native Kendrick Ballantyne.

The 6-foot-3, 242-pound King led the conference in sacks with 111/2 and he was involved in 60 total tackles, including 18 for a loss of yardage. The 6-3, 298-pound DeVito had seven sacks and figured in 28 tackles of which 101/2 were for losses.

“They were exceptional players for us. I feel real good for both of them,” said Maine coach Jack Cosgrove. “They played at a high level throughout the year and they were part of the reason the defense played at the level it did.

“Our defensive front was our strength. Michael was a bull inside who had to be blocked by more than one man and Matthew was the athletic, explosive kid coming off the corner. Michael was a second team pick a year ago and continued what he started last year by playing at another level. Matthew was a little more of a surprise because he missed virtually all of last year [due to injury],” said Cosgrove.

King was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award given annually to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.

The 5-8, 175-pound Arias was involved in 30 tackles and had an interception. He broke up two passes and three of his tackles were for losses.

“That was the most pleasing selection I’ve ever been associated with in my 14 years as the head coach at Maine,” said Cosgrove. “He was our cover corner. He was virtually an unknown. He was a steady, disciplined, hard-working kid that nobody really tested [out of respect for him].”

Stone had four sacks among his 50 tackles and he broke up five passes while collecting an interception.

“Daren had a good year. He did a lot of things in coverages and in the blitz package for us,” said Cosgrove.

Downey led the team in tackles with 72 including two sacks and four for losses. He broke up five passes and had an interception. Wormuth was second in tackles with 63 including seven for losses. He had an interception and broke up two passes. Dorismond was involved in 32 tackles with eight for losses including 31/2 sacks.

He said Dorismond and DeVito gave the Bears an “inside presence” that enabled the ends and linebackers to “make plays.

“They were very unselfish,” said Cosgrove who expects Dorismond to inherit DeVito’s role as a dominant tackle next fall.

He said Downey and Wormuth worked well together and made “great strides.

“They will be two of the premier linebackers in the conference next year,” predicted Cosgrove. “They have great talent.”

The 5-9, 179-pound Gordon racked up 1378 total yards with 843 rushing yards in 172 carries for a productive 4.9 yards per carry average and he caught a team-high 63 passes for 535 yards. He scored eight touchdowns.

Cosgrove said Gordon’s season was exceptional when you consider he was a “marked man” and took a lot of hits.

“We wanted to get him the ball, no mistake about it,” said Cosgrove. “His strength was his speed and, for someone his size, he’s as tough a player as I’ve ever been around.”

ASU, Miami on Maine schedule

Two programs that have combined to win nine College World Series championships will be among the teams on the University of Maine’s baseball schedule next spring.

Arizona State University’s Sun Devils have won five NCAA championships and they will entertain the Black Bears in Tempe, Ariz. for a four-game schedule on March 16, 17 (doubleheader) and 18. Miami, four-time NCAA titlist, will host Maine for a March 13 night game.

Miami played in the CWS last season, going 1-2 to finish off a 42-24 season.

ASU finished 37-21 last season after being eliminated in the NCAA Regional at Baylor University (Tex.).

Maine, which went 35-22-1 and earned its second straight NCAA Tournament berth, will also play a three-game set at the University of New Orleans March 30-April 1.

Maine will open against the University of Pennsylvania in Palm Beach, Fla. on March 3 and will play its home opener against the University of Maryland-Baltimore County on April 13.

“Our schedule is one of the most competitive in recent years,” said Maine coach Steve Trimper in a press release. “It’s essential to play quality non-conference teams in order to prepare for America East. Our goal is to put our players in competitive situations early in the season to provide us with experience to prepare for post-season play.”

Smith named to Wallace list

University of Maine baseball player Curt Smith was named to the 2007 Wallace Watch list released by the College Baseball Foundation in Lubbock, Texas.

Smith was one of 148 players selected.

The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the National College Baseball Player of the Year. The winner is selected by a national panel of coaches, sports information directors, former winners and media. The list will be trimmed to 12 semifinalists in late May and narrowed to three following the NCAA Super Regionals.

Smith batted .390 for the Black Bears last season with 56 runs scored and 55 RBIs. He was named to the 2006 All-New England first team.

This summer Smith was named to the New England Collegiate Baseball League first team, the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, and the third-best prospect in the NECBL by Baseball America.

Maine swimming gains one

University of Maine women’s swimming and diving team has received a National Letter of Intent from Erin Little of Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala.

Little specializes in the individual medley, breaststroke and distance events. She also competes for the Birmingham Swim League.

“Anytime a person has a solid time in the 400 [yard] IM, you know they will contribute to our team in a variety of ways,” Maine coach Jeff Wren said.

The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.