ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine’s annual Jeff Cole Memorial Scrimmage is often dominated by the defense.
While that unit played fairly well on Saturday, there was a bit more in the way of offensive success.
The run game was held pretty much in check, but Drew Belcher passed for two touchdowns and Dan Collins threw for another as the Black Bears celebrated the end of their spring season on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.
Approximately 200 fans turned out to enjoy a gorgeous, sun-splashed day, which ended with a barbecue for fans, family and friends.
“We came out, we moved the ball pretty well,” said Belcher, a sophomore quarterback. “Obviously, we had some penalties that we can’t take and we had some miscues and mental things that I think we’ll be able to fix.”
Belcher and Collins, who will be a junior, took turns leading the offense, switching between the first and second units. Collins is coming off October surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder, but he appeared to have plenty of zip on the ball and was throwing it downfield.
After both quarterbacks saw time as the starter last year, it appears as though they will be competing for playing time again next season.
“I have nothing to say on that right now,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove. “We have two good quarterbacks. We’ll figure that out as we get closer [to the season].”
As is usually the case, Collins and Belcher wore red vests, indicating that they were not to be hit or tackled. Even so, both were under consistent pressure from a veteran defense that includes senior end Mike Kozlakowski, junior tackle Pat Ricard and a deep corps of linebackers.
Belcher and junior tight end Sean Reuss hooked up three times on one early scoring drive. Belcher found Reuss on a 19-yard throw-back play, then hit him over the middle for 13 yards three plays later.
The duo capped the march as Belcher lofted a 24-yard fade ball to Reuss in the back right area of the end zone.
“I worked a lot in the offseason on my routes and my hands and it paid off today,” said Reuss, who played only four games last fall because of an upper-body injury.
Reuss was busy as tight ends Jeremy Salmon and Max Andrews were among numerous players unable to participate because of injuries.
“He’s gotten a lot faster, stronger and he’s really focused on the little things,” Belcher said of Reuss.
Sophomore tight end Jason Simonovich also made three receptions, the last of which was a 10-yarder that set up Belcher’s 6-yard TD bullet to wide receiver Micah Wright in the back of the end zone.
“It was good to see that he showed progress and he should, because he’s got a better handle on things,” Cosgrove said of Belcher.
Collins demonstrated a soft touch when he found Simonovich behind the defense for an 18-yard touchdown.
“Danny’s done everything that he could to get back,” Cosgrove said. “He’s really developing and getting better all the time.”
The lengthy list of players out with injuries included defensive end Trevor Bates of Westbrook, safety Davonte Burke and linebacker Zach Hume along with running back Isaiah Jones, wide receivers Jordan Dunn and Justin Flores, and punter Sam Lenson.
“It just provides opportunities for others,” Cosgrove said. “You’re always trying to develop depth and the more depth you have, the better prepared you are to handle situations that develop.”
Wright and sophomore Jared Osumah are among the up-and-comers who were trying to show their stuff at wide receiver.
“It’s my time to step up,” said Osumah, who made a nifty 32-yard catch by reaching over cornerback Najee Goode to set up a 3-yard scoring run by Nigel Beckford.
“It’s the last day. I really just wanted to come out here and make plays, leave a lasting impression before we go on to summer workouts,” added Osumah, who said he has confidence in both Collins and Belcher.
As the Black Bears close out the spring season, there is plenty of optimism.
No one on the squad is more enthusiastic than Kozlakowski, who has missed most of the last two seasons with biceps injuries.
“It’s off the charts,” he said of his excitement, which is derived in part from his impending graduation with a degree in business management.
His time at UMaine tells him that the 2015 Black Bears have some qualities that should help them succeed on the field.
“The chemistry of this team, we’re all family,” Kozlakowski said. “Everyone on this team is friends and knows each other on a personal level.”
Most of the players will try to build on this dynamic by spending much of the summer together training on campus.
UMaine opens Sept. 5 at Boston College.