ORONO – The University of Maine’s spring football scrimmage usually provides a segue into final exams week.

This year, it won’t even mark the end of the Black Bears’ offseason workouts.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team will take to the AstroTurf on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium for the final time under game conditions this morning when UMaine plays the Jeff Cole Memorial Scrimmage starting at 10:00.

The scrimmage ordinarily is played a week later, but the facility won’t be available next Saturday as UMaine will serve as the host for the America East Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 3-4 at the Beckett Family Track and Field Complex.

This summer, the field will be torn up and replaced with a new FieldTurf artificial surface.

With last season’s seniors gone and several other players having departed for a variety of reasons, the Bears are working hard trying to establish a new team identity heading into the 2008 season.

UMaine’s offensive and defensive units will square off formally for the first time today with players trying to solidify their positions heading into the summer. The scrimmage will feature many different down-and-distance situations in different areas of the field.

Since last season ended, the Bears have been preparing for their Aug. 30 opener at Big Ten member Iowa.

Gone from the squad that went 4-7 last season (3-5 in CAA play) are 10 starters, including offensive linemen Shawn Demaray, Jacob Folz and Jake Serdy, tight end Matt Mulligan, H-back Anthony Cotrone and wide receiver Manzi Pierre.

On the defensive side, three starters have completed their careers: linebacker John Wormuth, end Patrick McCrossan and tackle Bruno Dorismond.

Friday night, the Bears held their annual end-of-season banquet, which celebrated the accomplishments of the 2007 season while recognizing the outgoing seniors. UMaine also was scheduled to elect its captains for 2008.

After today’s Cole Scrimmage, the Bears will conduct four more practices next week to wrap up the spring season. The team returns in August for training camp in preparation for a 12-game season that includes six contests in Orono.

The incoming freshmen notwithstanding, there will be a handful of new faces playing key roles during 2008. Among the hopefuls are two offensive linemen with eastern Maine ties.

Junior Tyler Eastman of Old Town is hoping to put his injury problems behind him and step into the mix at left tackle, while freshman walk-on Steven Shea of Corinna has impressed at guard.

Other Mainers, including freshman H-back Jared Turcotte of Lewiston and freshman defensive tackle Raibonne Charles of Windham, also are in position to begin contributing in the fall.