The University of Maine football team continues pre-season practice and workouts this week in preparation for their season and home opener in a little more than two weeks on August 30th at Alfond Stadium, when they welcome in their arch rival UNH Wildcats for a Colonial Athletic Association clash.
The team began practices and workouts with heavy hearts, after the unexpected passing of freshman defensive back Darius Minor. Minor collapsed and died during a freshman workout back on July 24.
Maine, who finished 4-6 and 3-5 in CAA a year ago, opens up for the second straight season against the Wildcats. UNH took a thriller last season at Durham in the opener 24-23. Maine only has four home dates for 2018, playing two FBS opponents on the road in Western Kentucky and Central Michigan.
On offense, Maine relies on junior quarterback Chris Fergurson. Ferguson played all 10 games last season, and went 171-313 passing,16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The Bears will have to make an adjustment in their running game this year, as Josh Mack transferred to Liberty in the offseason. Mack as a sophomore rushed for 1419 yards on 243 carries and nine touchdowns out of the Maine backfield. He led all of FCS in rushing yards per game in 2017 at 133.5. North Yarmouth native Joe Fitzpatrick will look to be handed a majority of the carries in 2018. The junior running back Fitzpatrick, who played at Chevrus High, rushed 64 times for 388 yards and one touchdown last season.
Maine brings back some guys with alot of experience at wide receiver. Among those are junior Earnest Edwards (21 rec, 371 yards, 4 TD), and senior Micah Wright (13 rec, 150 yards, 2 TD). Junior Jaquan Blair also caught 23 passes for 242 yards, and quarterback converted tight end senior Drew Belcher had 17 receptions for 233 yards and a pair of scores. The Bears hope to also get some production from Husson transfer and Old Town native sophomore receiver Andre Miller. Miller, who played at Old Town High, has made some spectacular catches and touchdowns during preseason camp and scrimmages.
Defensively, the Black Hole should bring plenty of ferociousness again this season. They will be led by Jaron Grayer, Kayon Whitaker, Sterling Sheffield, and Charles Mitchell. The secondary leaders are Darrius Hart, Jeffrey Devaughn, and Manny Patterson. As a freshman last season, Grayer led the team will 79 total tackles and two sacks. The junior Whitaker led the team with 8.5 sacks in his sophomore season, while Sheffield had 5.5 as a junior and was second on team in tackles. Hart led the secondary in interceptions with three in his junior year. On special teams, Maine will rely on sophomore kicker Kenny Doak (3-5 FGA 2017), and junior Derek Deoul will do the punting (39.1 average).
2018 Schedule
* denotes league game
Aug 30 vs UNH 7 PM*
Sept 8 at Western Kentucky 6:30 PM
Sept 15 bye
Sept 22 at Central Michigan TBA
Sept 29 at Yale 1 PM
Oct 6 vs Villanova 3:30 PM*
Oct 13 at Rhode Island 12 PM*
Oct 20 at William and Mary 3:30 PM*
Oct 27 vs Albany 1 PM*
Nov 3 at Towson 4 PM*
Nov 10 at Richmond 3 PM*
Nov 17 vs Elon 12 pm*
