Black Bears open tonight Monmouth University invades Alfond Stadium

ORONO – There’s nothing quite like opening the football season at home under the lights.

After three straight years playing its first game on the road against nationally regarded opponents, the University of Maine will kick off the campaign at Alfond Stadium.

The Black Bears look to start the season on a positive note with their 6 p.m. game against Monmouth University (N.J.) on the AstroTurf at Morse Field.

“Night games at Maine have always been kind of an attraction,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove. “We’ve had some real good crowds and good crowds are always exciting for our players and create a better atmosphere for you.”

The Bears, who compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, face a Monmouth squad that plays in the Northeast Conference. Both schools are Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) programs, but the Hawks are a mid-major program that awards many fewer than the Bears’ 63 scholarship equivalencies.

Even so, Monmouth has an excellent football reputation.

Monmouth was 10-2 last season, losing to San Diego in the 2006 Gridiron Classic, The Sports Network’s I-AA mid-major national championship.

“When you think of Monmouth beating two Patriot League teams last year and Albany beating [CAA member] Delaware and Georgia Southern, those are real take-notice moments for that league as it tries to emerge,” Cosgrove said.

UMaine enters tonight’s game, it’s first season opener at home since 2003, hoping its talented defense can take advantage of its experience while the offense gets its feet wet with quarterback Mike Brusko calling the signals.

Monmouth was hit hard by graduation on defense, but boast an offense that includes several all-conference performers.

“Their strength is going to be in their offense and ours is going to be in our defense,” Cosgrove said.

The Bears’ defense, which features seven returning starters, is spearheaded by inside linebackers Andrew Downey and John Wormuth, the top two tacklers last season. UMaine led the nation in rushing defense last season, allowing 63.9 yards per game.

Monmouth counters with a traditional two-back offense that has seven starters back. The Hawks look to 2006 NEC Rookie of the Year David Sinisi to lead the way after rushing for 754 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago.

However, Monmouth will be breaking in a new quarterback in senior Brett Burke. Wideout Adam San Miguel caught an impressive 73 passes for 872 yards and six TDs in 2006.

“Sinisi and San Miguel will be their top two guys, I’m sure, in terms of trying to get things rolling and help the quarterback get settled in,” Cosgrove said.

The Bears’ offense is built around a veteran line that looks to create running room for slash (RB/WR) Jhamal Fluellen while protecting Brusko so he can throw to the likes of wideouts Manzi Pierre (22 rec. 251 yds.) and Landis Williams (11 rec., 92 yds.) and tight end Matt Mulligan.