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 Football Completes First Weekend Of Spring Practice
April 3, 2005 ORONO, Maine - University of Maine football team completed the first full weekend of spring practices on Sunday afternoon at Alfond Stadium. During a driving rain with wind gust of up to 24 mph, the team practiced in helmets and shoulder pads for two hours and fifteen minutes. The practice was more physical with pads and the defense was able to be more aggressive in the team drills. Practice ended with a round of puddle diving. "It was cold and wet outside, but we made good progress," said head coach Jack Cosgrove. "The only thing was that we could not throw it or catch it as well since the balls weighed a ton. You can learn a lot about a team when they go out in less than ideal conditions and see how they practice. They practiced hard and used their focus to get things done. For the first three days in general I am pleased with the steps that we have taken as a team." One position that will be a strength for the Black Bears this season will be at quarterback. Ron Whitcomb (East Rochester, N.Y.) will be under center for the third straight season, backed up by senior Chris Legree (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore Anthony Cotrone (Valley Stream, N.Y.). Whitcomb started all eleven games last season and had 350 attempts and 213 completions for 2318 yards, the sixth best single-season number in Maine history. His 22 touchdown passes was the third-best in a single season. Legree played in eight games last season, completing four of eleven passes for 56 yards. Legree also had 14 carries for 58 net yards. Cotrone was the holder on field goals last year. "I think we have a lot of potential with a lot of skill players coming back from last year," said Whitcomb. "Having experience at the quarterback position is a reason why teams that win the Atlantic 10 win the Atlantic 10. You look at the last Atlantic 10 Champions and they had experienced veteran quarterbacks. To have a senior in Chris, a junior in myself, and a sophomore in Anthony brings a lot of experience to the position." The team will have the fourth of fifteen practices on Friday, April 8 at 3:40 pm, which will be the teams first in full pads. For more information about Maine Athletics, please visit www.GoBlackBears.com.
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