ORONO, Maine — There is one thing fans of the University of Maine football team need to know about the new offense.
“It’s just a ton of fun,” senior quarterback Dan Collins said after the Black Bears executed a handful of long pass plays during the 12th Jeff Cole Spring Scrimmage.
Collins threw for two touchdowns while Drew Belcher and Jack Walsh each passed for one as an injury-riddled UMaine team ended its spring season with a spirited scrimmage at sun-drenched Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.
“We’re all flying around just trying to make explosive plays out here with these guys,” said Collins, who completed eight of 15 passes for 92 yards.
“When you’re having fun like this, you’re going to make plays,” he added, conceding the Black Bears expect to be throwing the ball downfield more often in 2016.
As is often the case in the spring, UMaine was without numerous key players because of injuries. On offense, that group included wide receiver Jordan Dunn, tailbacks Nigel Beckford and Joe Fitzpatrick of North Yarmouth, offensive linemen Isaiah Brooks, Cody Levy, John Reddington and Max Andrews of Dedham, a converted tight end.
Defensive players nursing injuries included linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga, tackle Pat Ricard and defensive backs Jeff DeVaughn, Angelo Dawson and Spencer Carey of Fairfield.
“Every day was a battle, but we moved forward every day,” first-year head coach Joe Harasymiak said of the 15-session spring campaign. “Today was kind of a nice culmination.”
UMaine was without its top returning receiver, sophomore Micah Wright, who was arrested for disorderly conduct on Wednesday during a party at The Reserve housing complex off campus in Orono. Wright is serving an interim suspension as school officials review the incident and his case goes through the court system.
“As a program, we have to realize we have to take ownership of our actions,” Harasymiak said. “I talk to the team about that a lot. It was an unfortunate situation. We’ll battle back from it.”
With Wright and Dunn sidelined, a trio of Black Bears stepped up with some big plays during the scrimmage.
Junior wideout Jaleel Reed made four catches for 54 yards, including a 32-yard hookup with Collins. Redshirt freshman Jaquan Blair also had four receptions, two of which were for touchdowns.
“I was just trying to go out there and show my resume, since I redshirted last year,” said Blair, who adjusted his route to grab a 36-yard scoring throw from redshirt freshman Jack Walsh (4-for-8, 41 yards).
Blair capped the day’s action by leaping above defensive back Emmanuel Almonte in the back of the end zone to snare a 25-yard toss by Collins.
“Everyone wants to go out there and make plays, and fortunately I had my opportunities and I made the most of them,” Blair said.
“It was a great throw by Dan, honestly,” Blair said.
Belcher, a junior who has started several games over the last two seasons, finished Saturday 3-for-9 passing good for 55 yards with a TD and two interceptions.
The offensive unit has been collectively charged with learning and executing a new offensive scheme being implemented by first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
“We’re having fun out there and that’s the biggest point I can make,” Collins said.
“You’ve just got to find your identity as a team, know your personnel,” he added.
There were no “quarterback power” calls on Saturday. The play was a staple of the previous offensive approach.
Harasymiak said that with so much new material to be learned and synthesized, the coaching staff isn’t making any decision on a starting quarterback until August.
“I think all three of them have taken steps forward,” he said. “I’ve got to give them a chance. They’ve really had about two months and only 15 practices (with the next offense).”
Fans in attendance also got their first glimpse at transfer tailback Zaire Williams, carrying 12 times for 41 yards. He also caught four passes for 46 yards, including a 14-yard scoring hookup on a pass to the flat from Belcher.
“I feel confident getting that many reps, so it makes me look forward to the summer,” Williams said.
The Black Bears also showed some wrinkles on special teams, attempting a couple of passes out of jumbled formations on conversion attempts. Both plays failed, but were indicative of how UMaine may approach things next season.
“It keeps a defense or a special-teams unit on their toes,” said Harasymiak, who explained both players and coaches enjoy pulling out some trick plays.
“Those are game-changers, too,” he added. “You’ve got to be smart when you do it. I think we’re going to take risks here.”
Linemen Jean Point-Dujour and Uchenna Egwuonwu, along with defensive backs Sinmisola Demuren (interception) and DeAndre Scott, a transfer from Arizona State, were among the defensive standouts. Egwuonwu made the most dynamic play of the session.
The 6-foot-2, 295-pound sophomore from Union, New Jersey, alertly made a good read on a Belcher pass over the middle and made an interception. He ran 50 yards down the right side before Belcher knocked him out of bounds.
“I dropped a pick (on) the same play earlier this week and the guys just wouldn’t stop letting me have it,” said Egwuonwu, whose father, Emmanuel, was visiting from Nigeria and joined his mother, Ifeoma, and other family members in Orono.
Egwuonwu, who said he trimmed down during the offseason to improve his speed and mobility, expects to receive ribbing from his teammates for failing to take the interception all the way.
“He (Belcher) looked like a defensive player, he took a good angle (to the ball),” Egwuonwu said. “He was the last guy. I wanted to beat him, but he made the play.”