It isn’t the way you want to start your football season: losing 37-3 at home.

But Maine Maritime Academy fifth-year football coach Mike Hodgson says the mistakes made during last Saturday’s non-league loss to powerhouse Plymouth State College (N.H.) are correctable.

“We’re actually a lot better off than we were at this time last year,” said Hodgson. “The things that need to be fixed, we can fix.”

The Castine-based Mariners, who were hurt by turnovers against Plymouth State, are young but return 16 starters from a team that won its last four games after an 0-6 start.

“We’re going to be real good, I hope,” said three-time first-team All-New England Football Conference defensive tackle Rob Cody of Bradley. “We have the talent. We work extremely hard.”

Junior running back Steve Tardif of Biddeford, a former NEFC Rookie of the Year who has amassed 3,613 all-purpose yards in his two seasons, including 2,919 rushing yards, said the freshman class is the best he has seen so far.

“They’re strong and they’re good athletes. They’ve been ab “They’re strong and they’re good athletes. They’ve been able to step right up and fill spots,” said Tardif.

The 280-pound Cody feels the defensive unit has the potential to be “one of the best in the conference” as MMA strives for a playoff spot in the ECAC or NCAA.

The defense is anchored by Cody, who was in on 68 tackles a year ago, and free safety Keith Beaulieu, whose eight interceptions led the NEFC and ranked seventh in NCAA Division III.

Hodgson moved speedster Erik McDaniel from wide receiver to cornerback.

Veterans Ben Bernier and Craig Greenwood will start at strong safety and cornerback, respectively, with Old Town freshman Jason Brown seeing playing time in the secondary.

Lance Durgan, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, and Clinton’s Nick Buck return at inside linebacker with Bradley’s Matt DeGrasse and Orrington’s Billy Rushmore as the outside backers. Fairfield’s Bruce Harrington is the nose tackle and will be flanked by Cody and veteran Clarence Young, both of whom have bench-pressed more than 400 pounds. Young had three sacks Saturday.

“Our front three are very quick and very strong,” said Hodgson.

Cody underwent a surgical procedure for a heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson-White or WPW on Sept. 1 at Bangor’s Eastern Maine Medical Center. He played this past weekend. The condition can result in an unusually rapid heart rate, shortness of breath and dizziness.

Freshmen Alger Yanush of Old Town, Corey Roi of Bucksport and Matt Goggin of Clinton could see playing time at linebacker.

The offense returns four of its five starters in the line along with All-ECAC, All-New England and All-NEFC tailback Tardif, who was the No. 6 rusher in NCAA Division III a year ago with 1,543 yards. Also back is wide receiver Chris Pelletier of Skowhegan, who led the team in receptions with 22 for a 25.8 yards-per-catch average.

In addition to veteran center Quenton Stewart, guards Ben Mitchell of Brewer and Kevin Cross, and two-time All-NEFC tackle Rob Hill, Hodgson said his team has “the two best freshmen offensive lineman I’ve ever seen” in guard Nick Johnson of Harrison and tackle Jerrad Murray of Waterville.

Freshmen Tom Rushmore of Orrington and Jon Shaw will join Pelletier at wide receiver and Joe Whitehurst will be the tight end.

Hodgson’s biggest concern is at quarterback where Ben Larrabee returns after spending a year at wide receiver. He was the starting quarterback two years ago.

“He’s struggling a little bit right now. He’s been trying to get back into it. It’s going to take a little time. But he threw for over 300 yards and five TDs in a game a couple of years ago so I know he can do it,” said Hodgson.

Hodgson also said their kicking game is “poor” and needs a lot of work.

The NEFC has expanded to two seven-team divisions this season and Hodgson, Cody and Tardif said making either the ECAC or NCAA playoffs is an attainable goal.

“That’s a goal we always have and it’s within reach this year,” said Hodgson.

THE SCHEDULE September 12 Plymouth State 37, at MMA 3 19 at Curry, 1 p.m. 26 Mass. Maritime, 1 p.m. October 3 at UMass-Dartmouth, 1 p.m. 10 Bridgewater State, 1 p.m. 17 at Westfield State, 1:30 24 Fitchburg State, noon 31 at Salve Regina, 1 p.m. November 7 Worcester State, noon 14 at Framingham State, noon