ORONO – Brendan Curry has enjoyed tremendous growth during his four-plus years at the University of Maine.

When he arrived on campus in 1998, both the Black Bear football program and Curry himself were looking to establish themselves.

Curry was a rambunctious freshman from Braintree, Mass., where he starred on a struggling high school team. UMaine, then under NCAA probation and reduced scholarships, was putting the finishing touches on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium and was poised to begin its rise to prominence in the Atlantic 10.

It proved a good match, although it took Curry some time to adjust to life away from home. He was no stranger to coach Jack Cosgrove’s list of players who needed a little extra guidance.

“He had a little bit of a wild and mischievous side, but he’s really developed,” Cosgrove said with a chuckle.

Now a senior captain, the 6-foot-1, 240-pounder has been a force at defensive end for UMaine. He was an all-conference third-team pick last season after making 42 tackles, including eight sacks.

Curry has notched nine tackles, including two sacks, and a forced fumble in three games this season.

“He’s a guy who is incredibly passionate about the game and plays with such intensity and heart,” Cosgrove said. “He is a recognized force in this conference.”

Somewhat reluctantly, Curry made the move to end from inside linebacker after UMaine graduated some key players up front after the 1999 season. He has excelled by combining the instincts and knowledge of a linebacker with his size, strength, and quickness.

“I’d never played with my hand down on the ground before, so that was the biggest change,” said Curry, who explained stopping the run is the line’s primary job.

“You do your work on first and second down, you get them in third-and-long, then the whole D-line just pins their ears back and goes and has fun,” he said of rushing the quarterback.

Cosgrove said Curry has intangible qualities, game smarts and anticipation, that make him a handful for opponents. He mentioned how Curry has twice blocked punts on a “safe punt” call, which is designed to set up a return rather than go for a block.

“He’s one of those sneaky-smart guys in a game,” Cosgrove said.

Curry enjoys his role as a captain, although he is now inundated with questions from his teammates.

“You’re supposed to have all the answers and obviously I don’t,” he laughed.

Curry lets fellow captains Jake Eaton and Stephen Cooper do a lot of the talking. But once the game starts, Curry’s passion for the game is evident.

“I try to keep them going,” he said of his teammates.

Curry’s older brother and sister were basketball stars, each earning a college scholarship. He played basketball, too, although Cosgrove jokingly referred to Curry as a “thug” basketball player.

“I was the only one in my family not to make varsity, as a freshman, for basketball,” said Curry, who was always drawn to football.

He earned a scholarship from UMaine after Braintree football coach Frank Tricanni, a coaching acquaintance of Cosgrove, pointed him out to UMaine.

Looking back, Curry appreciates the sense of accomplishment and maturity he has achieved during his stay at UMaine.

“I’ve never come from a winning program, so last year and this year have been fun,” Curry said. “Now, all the years of work that we put in, the time and the effort, is actually paying off for us.”