ORONO – Graduation losses and plugging holes in the lineup are hardly new things to college football coaches.

It’s the unexpected losses, however, that can trip you up like a shoestring tackle on special teams.

That’s what University of Maine coaches are tackling this fall as they reshape an offensive line after two starters graduated and another opted not to return for his last year of eligibility. The losses have not only created holes to fill, they’ve also forced some position switches.

Friday afternoon’s blue-white scrimmage was the second “game-time” test of the front line and by most accounts, it gave a good account of itself.

“They’ve improved a lot and I think that showed in the scrimmage,” said backup quarterback-wide reciever-wingback Mike Brusko, who ran the first-string offense while starting QB Adam Farkes took a break after getting most of the snaps Monday.

“With Chris and Ryan, who have been around for four years now, it’s so helpful to have leaders like that on the line who can help the younger guys out, and they’ve done a great job so far,” Brusko added.

Chris and Ryan are senior Chris Arnao, who is switching from right guard to right tackle, and senior three-year starting center Ryan Canary.

“I think we’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year at this point,” Canary said. “Last year we were very slow and feeling things out. This year we have a good core group that knows what we’re going to get out of each other.”

Canary likes what he’s seen from the new guys so far.

“I think they’re going to have some growing pains, but they’re stepping up to the challenge right now in terms of game tempo and what it takes to start at this level,” he said.

Those new guys include current first-teamers Tyler Eastman of Old Town at left tackle, Steven Shea of Corinna at left guard, and Matt Barber at right guard – a redshirt junior, redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore, respectively. Junior guard Alex Batainian is also seeing a lot of action.

“Everybody brings something different to the table. Shea plays a lot of positions and has done whatever he can, and from what I understand, he played a lot of golf in high school. We don’t think his handicap’s too low though,” said Arnao, referring to Shea having played only two seasons of football at Newport’s Nokomis High School, which just started playing at the varsity level in 2007. “Matt hasn’t seen a lot of action with the first team, but he’s picking up things along with Alex.”

“Eastman is doing really well now that he’s over a shoulder injury and he’s a beast of a man,” said Canary about the 6-foot-6, 313-pound left tackle.

Maine is not undersized up front with Canary at 6-2, 276; Arnao at 6-7, 305; Shea at 6-4, 277; Barber at 6-6, 278; and Batanian at 6-6, 278; but the line won’t rely on size alone.

“I think we’re very smart and break the game down well,” said Canary. “I think we have a mix of power and athleticism.”

They used both at one point during Friday’s scrimmage to move a human pile – which Brusko was in the center of – ahead five extra yards against a solid Black Bear defense.

“That’s one of those things you see that makes you smile,” said head coach Jack Cosgrove. “I like how we’re developing up front. They’re on their way to become a great group.”

Offensive line coach and running game coordinator Frank Giufre isn’t ready to anoint his group just yet, let alone say anyone has a starting job lined up, but he also sees reason to be optimistic.

“We’re still developing unit chemistry. The biggest thing is we need to find the guys who’ll be playing for us all the time,” Giufre said. “Every position on the offensive line can change right now. They have to demonstrate consistency and play their rear ends off. Right now it’s a bit of a revolving door as far as some positions.”

Giufre saw that consistency early as Brusko drove the white team 92 yards. The 11-play drive was capped by Brian Harvey’s 20-yard field goal.

“It’s hard not to compare things from year to year, but this is the best start I think we’ve had in camp since I’ve been here,” Brusko said. “Offensively and defensively, I think we’re doing really well as far as being on the same page.”

The story continues to be written as the Bears prepare for an Aug. 30 season-opener at Big 10 power Iowa.

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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