ORONO – There are only 10 days left until the University of Maine football team opens its 2007 season against Monmouth.

As of Tuesday evening’s final intrasquad scrimmage, head coach Jack Cosgrove and his staff had not announced their starting quarterback.

“There hasn’t been discussion on where we’re leaning right now,” a hoarse Cosgrove said after Tuesday’s session. “It has been a conscious effort to give them both a chance to be our No. 1 quarterback.”

The scrimmage may have been the final opportunity for sophomore Mike Brusko and redshirt freshman Adam Farkes to demonstrate, under game-like conditions, whether they have the right stuff to lead the UMaine offense this season.

“We haven’t finalized anything,” Cosgrove said. “We will when we’re ready to. I think the end of the week or the front of next week is the proper time.”

While Cosgrove was noncommittal talking about which player might have the upper hand to succeed record-setter Ron Whitcomb, the dynamics of the scrimmage seemed to give the nod to Brusko.

He took 36 snaps, including 27 with the first-team offense. That included a two-minute drill lasting nine plays.

Brusko completed 6 of 17 passes for 54 yards and was intercepted once. Three of his throws were dropped by receivers.

“I thought the offense had a chance to get in a real good rhythm, but we dropped some balls,” Cosgrove said. “I thought we ran the ball pretty well against a really good defense.”

Farkes saw action in 21 plays, including the first three series. All of his snaps came with the second-team offense.

Farkes, who has the stronger arm of the two quarterbacks, completed 3 of 9 passes for 34 yards. He had one ball dropped.

Senior offensive tackle Shawn Demaray of Livermore Falls sees continued overall improvement in the offense.

“Everything’s starting to fall together, which is really what [preseason] camp’s about,” he said. “We should be ready to go by Sept. 1.”

Brusko appears unfazed by the continuing competition for the starting QB job.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s going on as far as making a decision, but I’m trying not to make that my main concern,” he said.

Even so, the pressure of the competition and the suspense of hearing the decision have created a sense of anticipation.

“I’m ready to know,” admitted Brusko, who has been happy with the way he has directed the offense. “I can’t complain, though. Whichever way it goes, I’m sure we’re going to have a great team. Obviously I’d love to be out there, but we’ll find out soon.”

Among the other players being scrutinized by the staff Tuesday was redshirt freshman tailback Jermaine Henderson.

“It’s something I’ve been waiting for the whole year,” the 5-foot-11, 218-pounder said of his chance to play.

With projected starting slash (combination running back and receiver) Jhamal Fluellen sitting out the session to nurse a sore foot, Henderson demonstrated some tough inside running.

He carried seven times for 17 yards and also caught a pass for a 7-yard gain.

“We’re excited about Jermaine,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a very good investment for us. He’s gotten better and better every day he’s been here.”

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Jeremy Kelley made three catches for 25 yards.

Defensive stalwarts during the scrimmage included ends Jovan Belcher and Pat McCrossan, end Bruno Dorismond and linebacker Mark Masterson, who, along with safety Troy Harris, made an interception.

‘Meet the Black Bears’ tonight

Bangor area youngsters are invited to the UMaine campus this evening for “Meet the Black Bears Night.”

Cosgrove and the football team will give kids and their parents the chance to watch the Bears’ 5 p.m. practice from the sidelines and then meet and pose for pictures with their favorite players after practice.

The free event, which is open to youths in grades 8 and below, begins at 5 p.m. at Alfond Stadium.

UMaine-UConn game time set

UMaine announced Tuesday the kickoff for its Sept. 8 game against Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) opponent Connecticut will be at 7 p.m.

The Bears meet the Huskies at 40,000-seat Rentschler Field Stadium in East Hartford, Conn.