ORONO – As a former football player and the current coach at the University of Maine, Jack Cosgrove is generally a pretty tough guy.

Saturday afternoon, after his Black Bears had eked out a 16-13 Colonial Athletic Association victory, the veteran coach got a little choked up.

Cosgrove was moved by the performance of sophomore quarterback Mike Brusko.

Earlier in the season, Brusko lost his starting job to Adam Farkes. On Saturday, he took over when Farkes reinjured his left shoulder and led the Bears to victory.

“It was very rewarding,” Cosgrove said of Brusko’s effort, pausing to swallow hard.

It wasn’t so much how Brusko played as much as the way he had handled his demotion in September.

“It’s definitely been difficult at times for me, it’s been a little frustrating,” Brusko admitted.

Rather than sulk, he has continued to work hard and commit himself further to the team.

“He’s put himself in a leadership role on our football team, regardless of his lack of playing time [at quarterback],” Cosgrove said. “We certainly appreciate everything he gives to this football team.”

In addition to keeping his quarterback skills sharp and serving as the holder for PATs and field goals, Brusko asked to work out at wide receiver.

“I’ve just tried to take advantage of every opportunity that I’ve gotten whether it be at the quarterback position, playing special teams, [or] wide receiver. Whatever it is that I can do, I’ve just tried to embrace that and make the most of it.”

Brusko also is a member of the punt team, giving the Bears a potential threat to throw on a fake.

“He’s come to us to be more involved on special teams and other parts of the game. We’ve done that because he’s such a charismatic young man, a leader,” Cosgrove said. “He’s everything you want in a student-athlete and a team player.”

Injuries a concern for Bears

The UMaine football team has dealt with numerous injuries this season.

Two of the Bears’ most dynamic players were knocked out of the Towson game.

Farkes and tailback Jhamal Fluellen, both of whom have been dealing with shoulder problems, were forced to leave the contest.

Farkes was hurt on an option run early in the second quarter and did not return. He had injured his left shoulder a few weeks earlier and apparently suffered a more serious injury that could keep him out of Saturday’s home game against Rhode Island.

Fluellen rushed for 82 yards on 19 carries before he was forced out of the game midway through the third quarter. The junior tailback, who is on pace to become the eighth 1,000-yard rusher in school history, has experienced shoulder problems dating back to the preseason.

Senior offensive lineman Jacob Folz of West Paris left the game with a leg injury, and junior lineman Chris Parcells also was forced to the sideline.

Henderson shows his stuff

Jermaine Henderson has spent this season backing up Fluellen at tailback.

The redshirt freshman put together his best effort as a Bear against Towson, rushing for 51 yards on 14 carries, including the game-winning, 5-yard touchdown.

“He’s talented and that’s a nice response from him,” Cosgrove said. “His success [Saturday], this opportunity that he had, is certainly going to be big for his confidence.”

Morrow leaves UMaine women

It was hoped shooting guard Whitney Morrow of South Portland would provide some experience and perimeter scoring prowess when she joined the UMaine women’s basketball team in December.

Instead, Morrow has left the team for personal reasons.

Without elaborating, head coach Cindy Blodgett on Monday said Morrow likely would not return to the team.

Morrow, who transferred from the University of Richmond, would have had three semesters of eligibility remaining.

The Bears are down to 12 players and junior guard Brittany Bowen has been unavailable, having missed the entire preseason with an injury.

Sophomore point guard Abby Greene elected last spring not to return to the squad.

UMaine opens the regular season Friday at Clemson.