It has been a challenging season for the University of Maine football team.
The Black Bears let a couple of games slip away early, then encountered a rash of injuries as they got into the meat of a grueling Colonial Athletic Association schedule.
Today, coach Jack Cosgrove’s team hopes to send its 12 seniors out on a positive note when UMaine plays host to James Madison.
James Madison Dukes (5-5, 2-5 CAA) at Maine Black Bears (4-6, 3-4 CAA), noon, Morse Field at Alfond Stadium, Orono: This year’s senior class is a group of players that has been significantly affected by injuries, both this season and previously.
The group includes two defensive starters in linebacker Mark Masterson and cornerback Steven Barker, along with wide receivers Tyrell Jones and Des Randall on the offensive side.
Offensive lineman Matt Barber had been a starter, but was injured at Syracuse and was lost for the season.
Other key contributors in the group include defensive linemen Ryan Nani and Omar Jacobs, linebacker/long snapper Ryan MCrossan, LB Levi Ervin, special teams players Jeremy Kelley and Conor Keating, and offensive tackle Alex Batanian.
Barker, who has started 24 of 36 career games at UMaine, is sixth on the team in tackles this fall with 36. He was an All-CAA third-team pick last year.
Masterson played in 45 games, starting 23. He has competed in eight games this season and has made 26 tackles with an interception
Jones has started 27 of the 43 games in which he has played over four years. He ranks second on the Bears this season with 28 catches for 279 yards, with a touchdown.
Randall is fourth on the squad this year with 24 receptions for 227 yards and a TD. He has played in 43 games at UMaine.
Barber logged 24 starts in 26 career contests, playing a key role on the 2009 unit that led the CAA in passing.
McCrossan saw action in 43 games, carving his niche as a long snapper and special teams player.
Ervin, who played in 27 career contests, earned his keep as a special teams standout and linebacker.
Nani developed into a run-stopping force inside, playing 23 games for the Bears. He has 15 tackles this season.
Keating (31 games, 10 starts) was a versatile contributor who saw action on special teams and at fullback, in addition to limited duty at fullback.
Batanian competed in 23 games for UMaine, making four starts, and played both tackle and tight end.
Jacobs, a transfer from Hofstra University, has played in all 10 games this fall at UMaine. He has 18 tackles, including five for a loss.
On Saturday, UMaine encounters a James Madison squad which, in spite of struggling a bit this season, is coming off last Saturday’s victory over then-No. 1 William & Mary.
The Dukes, who had been mired in a four-game losing streak, again feature one of the league’s stingiest defenses. They rank second in points allowed (15.2 ppg) and third in total defense (287.5 ypg).
And not only is James Madison the second-toughest team to pass against (164.7 ypg), it is No. 3 against the run (122.8 ypg).
That is likely to present some problems for a UMaine offense that has had difficulty putting points on the board. UMaine is sixth in the CAA, averaging only 18.7 points per outing, and ranks ninth in rushing (129.1 ypg).
The Bears hope to open up some running room for junior tailback Pushaun Brown, who has rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns during the last two games in place of injured junior tailback Jared Turcotte of Lewiston.
And though Cosgrove made a quarterback switch last week, opting to start Chris Treister, the junior from Cape Elizabeth is doubtful today after having a gash on his right index finger sutured last week at Towson.
That puts the ball back in the hands of junior Warren Smith (175-for-267 passing, 1,753 yards, 9 TDs, 9 interceptions), who Cosgrove said must convert third-down plays and avoid the turnovers that have plagued him in the past.
Derek Session (46 receptions, 555 yds., 1 TD), Jones and tight end Derek Buttles (26-285-1) are the top receiving threats.
JMU’s defense is led by linebacker Pat Williams (90) and safeties Jakarie Jackson (64 tackles, 2 INTs) and Vidal Nelson (64). Mainstay Stephon Robertson (90 tackles) is suspended after being ejected last week.
The Bears’ defense is expected to have to deal with the Dukes’ new offensive wrinkle. Last week, James Madison unveiled a “wildcat” formation that utilized the talents of redshirt freshman wide receiver Dae’Quan Scott.
Against William & Mary, the Dukes accounted for all 266 of their yards on the ground — while attempting only one pass on the afternoon. Scott carried 21 times for 125 yards and tailback Jamal Sullivan logged 17 carries for 121 yards.
“Certainly he’s (Scott) a great, great athlete,” Cosgrove said.
“He looks like he’s hard to tackle with his shiftiness, his elusiveness.”
UMaine’s focus always is to stop the run. With JMU’s recent adjustment, it should be a stiff challenge.
The Bears continue to receive yeoman efforts from linebackers Donte Dennis (97 tackles) and Vinson Givans (80), while safety Trevor Coston (70) heads the secondary.
However, UMaine can’t take anything for granted.
“You don’t want to be caught committing to the run and feel as if we didn’t do our homework,” Cosgrove said. “We’ve got to prepare for everything.”
UMaine is 10th in the CAA in total defense (369.2 ypg), including 10th in passing defense (243.4 ypg), although the Bears are fifth against the run (125.8 ypg).