The University of Maine football team will be without its top offensive lineman when it opens the season against Football Bowl Subdivision team the University of Connecticut on Sept. 1.
Junior left tackle Jamil Demby suffered a strained posterior cruciate ligament in his knee during last Saturday’s scrimmage, and head coach Joe Harasymiak said that type of injury usually takes three to six weeks to heal.
“He’s doing well. But we’re going to play it smart,” said the first-year head coach, meaning he isn’t going to rush Demby back into service until he’s completely healthy.
“He is our best lineman. He has been a two-year starter,” said Harasymiak.
Demby, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound native of Vineland, New Jersey, had started 20 games.
He will be replaced by senior Max Andrews of Holden, who starred as an end at John Bapst High School in Bangor, according to Harasymiak.
The 6-3, 268-pound Andrews has been converted to tight end to tackle this season and had been battling sophomore Cody Levy for the right tackle job.
Harasymiak said junior Isiah Brooks, who had been moved from tackle to guard, also could return to the tackle spot. Brooks has started all 22 games during his career.
Harasymiak announced that Sunday’s final scrimmage has been moved from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to maintain uniformity in the schedule.
The annual “Meet the Bears” night, sponsored by Domino’s, will be held Monday, Aug. 22, beginning with a youth clinic at 6 p.m. Participants will be treated to a free pizza party, meet the players and coaches, and get autographs and free posters.
“It’s always a fun time. The guys love it,” said Harasymiak.
UMaine hockey loses recruit
Hockey goalie Tyler Johnson, who had signed a National Letter of Intent to attend UMaine but wasn’t going to play until 2017-18, won’t be coming to Maine after all.
He is expected to sign a contract with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
Johnson played 11 minutes of an exhibition game for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, which is a Major Junior league.
Major Junior players receive stipends and, which the NCAA deems professionalism, so players aren’t eligible to play college hockey without a lengthy suspension: One full season and the number of games they played.
UMaine unsuccessfully appealed the one-year ban, so Johnson would have had to sit out a full season plus one game.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder spent most of last season with the Topeka Roadrunners of the North American Hockey League where he posted a 2.56 goals-against average and 0.906 save percentage in 33 games.
UMaine head coach Red Gendron had “no comment” on Johnson’s decision to sign with the Knights but said they will be recruiting a goalie for 2017-18.
“I think our goaltending is going to be great,” said Gendron. “Matt Morris is a fifth-year senior, [sophomore] Rob McGovern showed flashes of being an outstanding goalie last year, and we have a 6-foot-8 freshman in Stephen Mundinger.”