According to Maine football head coach Jordan Stevens during a radio show on Monday, the starting quarterback position for this fall that was up in the air has now been decided as the Black Bears prepare for their season opener with a Coastal Athletic Association contest at Towson on Thursday, August 27th.
Redshirt junior Caden Drezek, redshirt sophomore Eddie Buehler, and redshirt freshman Michael McMaugh have all been battling for the starting position over the spring and summer after the departure of last seasons starter Carter Peevy. Buehler (North Kingstown, Rhode Island) has now been announced as the starter for the week one road game. Drezek (7-13 passing, 59 yards) was the only one of the three that has seen any action appearing twice in 2025.
Of the skilled offensive positions, Maine will return redshirt sophomore running back Rashawn Marshall (128 carries, 710 yards, four touchdowns). Marshall also added 21 receptions for 147 yards and a score. Nick Laughlin (Cape Elizabeth) will also return after missing most of last year with an injury. In five games before his injury, Laughlin rushed for 169 yards and a TD, and also caught 11 passes for 202 yards and two TDs. The receiving core lost top wideout Scott Woods, but along with Laughlin as a target they will bring back Ty’ee Stephens (9 receptions, 154 yards, 1 touchdown) and tight end Elijah Smalls (12-148-1).
The Black Bears lost two top defensive players to graduation in linebackers Christian Thomas and Latrell Couchman, along with two to the transfer portal in DB Devin Vaught (Michigan State) and DL Elias Sherman (Arkansas State), but still return two of their top seven in total tackles in DL Chris Bacon (35 total tackles, 18 solo, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks) and DB Jamaree Gibson (34 total tackles, 22 solo, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery). Former Leavitt High standout Noah Carpenter returns, and had a solid freshman year at the linebacker position with 32 total tackles (20 solo) and one sack. The special teams will be in good shape with punter Anthony Pecorella and kicker Samuel Tremblay. Tremblay, the redshirt sophomore out of Quebec, connected on 9-10 field goals in 2025 and was perfect inside of 40 yards.
While we are unclear of what role they may play in their first year of eligibility, the roster does have some former Maine high school football players that includes wide receiver Cordell Jones (Portland), wide receiver Ty Boone (Fryeburg Academy), defensive back Isaiah Ervin (Houlton), defensive back Austin West (Kennebunk), running back Zeb Foster (Oceanside), linebacker Tony Bongomin (Westbrook), offensive lineman Anton Kravchuk (Fryeburg Academy), and defensive lineman Nate Olson (MDI).
Below is the full Maine football schedule with game times for 2026:
Thursday, August 27th at Towson- 6 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, September 5th at Appalachian State- 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 12th vs Merrimack (home opener)- 5 p.m.
Saturday, September 19th at Boston College- 2 p.m.
Saturday, September 26th at Elon- 2 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, October 3rd vs Sacred Heart- 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17th vs Bryant- 1 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, October 24th vs Campbell- 1 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, October 31st at Rhode Island- 12 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, November 14th at Albany- 12 p.m. *CAA
Saturday, November 21st vs UNH- 1 p.m. *CAA (Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket)
Photo of running back Rashawn Marshall in a 2025 home game vs Stonehill College is from Anthony DelMonaco (UMaine Athletics)
