Rain dampens Bears’ opening practice

ORONO – Veterans and newcomers exhibited plenty of enthusiasm Monday afternoon as the University of Maine football team opened preseason training camp on the campus practice field.

Things almost got a little too exciting – from a weather standpoint.

Instead of the usual August heat, coach Jack Cosgrove and the Black Bears were greeted by a soaking rain.

Having heard some rumbles of thunder, head athletic trainer Paul Culina monitored atmospheric conditions with a small meter that measures the amount of electricity in the air.

Moments after alerting Cosgrove that lightning was within five miles, a sudden flash brought the practice to an abrupt halt after barely a half-hour.

“Lightning scares me,” admitted Cosgrove as players, coaches and support staff scurried back to the field house more than 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.

“It’s always exciting to get going,” a drenched, chilly Cosgrove said of starting practice. “This is the first time I can say that we went out and had to come in. I don’t recall it ever happening before, having lightning. It doesn’t even rain in preseason usually.”

UMaine players officially reported for camp Sunday and had been undergoing medical tests and strength and conditioning tests prior to Monday’s brief practice.

The rainout was a bit of a downer for players such as sophomore Mike Brusko, who is set to compete with freshman Adam Farkes for the starting quarterback job.

“It was a little bit of a disappointment but, at the same time, we had planned on having more of an organizational day to kind of get guys to know where they’re going to be, how practice is going to be run,” Brusko said.

UMaine has welcomed in 17 freshmen, some of whom are likely to earn playing time by the time the Bears play Monmouth in their Sept. 1 season opener at Alfond Stadium.

Among the newcomers is Fitzpatrick Trophy winner Jared Turcotte of Lewiston, who has already gained an appreciation for what he’s up against.

“It’s completely 2,000 times the intensity level in every aspect,” said Turcotte, an all-state running back and linebacker who is projected as an H-back, a hybrid running back/tight end.

He said the first-year players have to deal with having a lot of information thrown at them in a short amount of time.

“Everybody said it’s going to be different, it’s going to take time to get used to, and now I know what they’re talking about,” Turcotte said with a smile.

“Now I know I need to stay up as late as I can reading my play book,” he joked. “You’ve got to be on the ball.”

The first practice, though abbreviated, helped get the players back in football mode.

“If it was up to us, we’d still be out there playing and tackling each other,” said senior co-captain John Wormuth.

“It’s just great to put your helmet back on and go running out onto the field and actually be playing football,” he added.