It was a busy day on Tuesday in Orono for second-year University of Maine head football coach Joe Harasymiak.
His players were returning and gearing up for Wednesday afternoon’s first practice at 2:15.
The Black Bears wound up 6-5 a year ago, 5-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association, and they would have made the NCAA Football Championship Series playoffs if it wasn’t for a season-ending 24-21 loss to archrival New Hampshire, which made the playoffs as the result of its victory.
With the season-opener against New Hampshire on Aug. 31, there are a number of questions that will have to be addressed by the Black Bear coach.
There is the quarterback situation with three vying for the job vacated by the departure of third team All-CAA signal-caller Dan Collins but Harasymiak also pointed out another area that is very important is the kicking game.
The Black Bears went just 1-for-7 in the field goal department and that impacted their offensive philosophy. The offense was forced to try to pick up first downs in certain situations inside the opposing team’s territory rather than attempt a field goal.
UMaine played eight games that were decided by seven points or less and was able to win six of them despite the league-worst field goal percentage.
“We have to be able to make [field goals],” said Harasymiak.
Doak is one of five kickers on the roster along with senior Sam Lenson, juniors Brandon Briggs from Saco and Patrick Leonard from Bangor and sophomore Derek Deoul.
Leonard went 1-for-6 in field goal attempts but did convert 20 of 22 extra-point tries. Deoul had one field goal attempt, made both of his extra-point tries and kicked off a team-high 28 times, averaging 53.9 yards per kickoff. He had two touchbacks. Leonard kicked off 18 times and averaged 50.8 yards per kickoff. He didn’t have any touchbacks.
Harasymiak also pointed out that he will be searching for a punter after James DeMartini graduated.
DeMartini averaged 40.14 yards per punt and 11 of his 64 punts landed inside the opponents’ 20 yard-line.
Deoul punted five times for 38.20 yards per punt.
“It’s important to have good special teams,” said Harasymiak.
The Black Bears should have everyone available to go on Wednesday except junior defensive tackle Andrew Stevens, who had offseason hip surgery.
A few players will see limited duty due to minor injuries.
The quarterback battle involves graduate student transfer Max Staver from Brentwood, Tennessee, and Houston Baptist, redshirt junior Drew Belcher and redshirt freshman Chris Ferguson.
Staver shone in the 13th annual Jeff Cole Scrimmage at Portland’s Fitzpatrick Stadium in May but Harasymiak said the job is wide open.
The Black Bears will have three scrimmages and Harasymiak is hoping to name a quarterback soon so the team can adapt to him.
“I’d rather not wait until the third scrimmage,” said Harasymiak.
UMaine’s scrimmages are set for Aug. 7, 14 and 21. Each will start at 2:15 p.m.
Replacing All-CAA defensive lineman Pat Ricard and linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga in the middle of the defense will be another top priority.
“We have a lot of young players in the middle of the defense who will be looking to step in. In the CAA, you have to rely on young players,” said Harasymiak.
Harasymiak has added two coaches to his staff in Justin Flores, who will coach the running backs, and Andrew Kukesh, who will help Matt Birkett with the secondary.