Bob Zurinskas was asked what his goal is for his first-ever college football start.

“I just want to run around a little bit and have fun,” answered the 18-year-old freshman from Brockton, Mass., the third starting quarterback for the University of Maine this season.

There is little doubt Zurinskas will get to “run around a little bit” when he makes his debut Saturday at Alumni Field in Orono against the University of Delaware.

How much “fun” Zurinskas ends up having should go a long way toward determining the outcome in the 16th confrontation between the Black Bears and the Blue Hens.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Zurinskas can’t help but be the focus of a Homecoming contest pitting a struggling, 1-6 Maine team (1-5 in the Yankee Conference) against an up-and-down Delaware team fighting for its life at 4-3 overall, 3-2 in the conference. Such is the nature of the position Zurinskas plays that the pressure of not only this game, but possibly future seasons, has come to rest squarely on his shoulder pads.

According to first-year Maine coach Kirk Ferentz, Zurinskas is handling the pressure well.

“He was a little shaky Tuesday in practice, but he’s gotten better every day,” said Ferentz, who elected to start Zurinskas over junior incumbent Dan DiGravio earlier this week. “I think he’ll be fine.”

Zurinskas, a former wishbone QB at Brockton High, is being asked to breathe life into a Maine offense that ranks second-to-last in the Yankee Conference in total yardage (250.6 per game). Chief among the questions he’ll have to answer is, can he throw the ball?

“I think I can throw the ball downfield,” said Zurinskas, who averaged 10 pass attempts per game as a senior at Brockton last year. “When the time comes, we’ll do it.”

That time may come early against a Delaware defense that ranks third in the conference against the run, but is tied for 7th against the pass. There is little doubt the Hens will be coming at the 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman QB with everything they’ve got. Delaware must win to keep its faint conference title hopes alive.

“We can’t afford to overlook any remaining teams,” said Delaware quarterback Bill Vergantino, the 6-foot, 180-pound redshirt sophomore who ignites the Hens’ wing-T offense.

Vergantino, who started as a redshirt freshman, can relate to what Zurinskas will be going through. His advice to his counterpart:

“Don’t be overwhelmed by the situation,” he said. “If he’s starting, he’s got the ability to handle himself.”

Vergantino, meanwhile, will be the focus of the Maine defense’s attention. The slippery option-runner leads Delaware’s rushing attack, averaging 47.9 yards per game. He has been less effective as a passer (47 percent, 922 yds, 4 TDS, 12 INTs), but is still dangerous.

“The key is controlling their quarterback,” said Ferentz. “We have to do a good job against him.”

Delaware also has dangerous weapons in senior fullback Daryl Brantley (317 yds), and halfbacks Admiral Sydnor (162) and Jim Lazarski (190).

The Bears are led by tailbacks Carl Smith (399 yards) and Paul Capriotti (245), along with fullback Ben Sirmans (241).

If Maine can get a lead on Delaware, it could make it difficult for the Blue Hens, who have gone four games without scoring a point in the second half. The Hens are anxious to reverse the trend.

“I hope we can come out and score points in the second half,” said Vergantino. “It would stop a lot of talk and give us a confidence boost.”