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Football Takes Part In First Scrimmage of the Spring on Saturday
April 15, 2006 ORONO, Maine - The first week of spring football practice was focused on getting the players used to practicing with teammates once again. The second week of spring football practice saw the intensity turned up and the scrimmaging begin. The University of Maine football team concluded its second week of spring practice on Saturday with a two-hour session, as the first half was devoted to situational work while the second half featured a 40-play scrimmage. The offensive unit made a number of impressive plays and drove into defensive territory on numerous occasions. However, with its back against the wall, the "Black Hole" defense stood strong and denied the offense from scoring. "The offense made a couple of plays today and then the defense would step up and make stops when needed," head coach Jack Cosgrove said. "The guys were into it on both sides of the ball. They were flying around and having fun. You enjoy seeing that as a coach. You got some real hungry guys who are trying to help each other get better." The offense's first series saw two pass completions from senior quarterback Ron Whitcomb (East Rochester, N.Y.) to classmate Arel Gordon (Rochester, N.Y.). On both receptions, Gordon showed his quickness and elusiveness by making several tacklers miss while picking up good yardage. Despite being listed at 5-9 and 170 pounds, Gordon showed his toughness as he fought for more yards after initial contact from defenders. The offense moved inside the defense's 25-yard line, but the defensive unit stood up and forced the offense to turn the ball over on downs. Junior defensive tackle Bryan Grier (Bloomfield, Conn.) turned in an impressive play during the drive as he dragged down a running back with one hand behind the line of scrimmage for a four-yard loss. The offense, again, drove into defense territory on the second possession, but fumbled the ball away to negate a scoring opportunity. Several members on the defensive side of the ball made impressive plays, including senior defensive end Matt King (Stoughton, Mass.), who is returning after missing most of last season with a hand injury. King made a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage, while sophomore linebacker Andrew Downey (Kingston, N.Y.) broke up a pass and made two tackles. Junior defensive end Patrick McCrossan (Sparta, N.J.) had a sack and John Wormuth (Childs, Pa.) made three tackles from the middle linebacker position. Jonathan Calderon (Jersey City, N.J.) and Manauris Arias (Union City, N.J.) each swatted away passes in the secondary. "Matt missed most of last year, so this spring means a little bit more to him because he's excited to get back out here and play," Cosgrove added. "It's also his senior year so he and the rest of his classmates are intent on making this a special season." Other offensive players who turned in impressive plays, included H-back Anthony Cotrone (Valley Stream, N.Y.), who ripped off a 20-yard run and broke three tackles in the process. Fellow H-back Matt Mulligan (West Enfield, Maine) caught a 25-yard pass over the middle of the field to convert on a third-and-15. Sophomore tailback Jerron Pearson (Elkridge, Md.) ripped off a pair of tough eight-yard runs during the scrimmage. The scrimmage concluded with work from the special teams, primarily the field goal units. Bobby Donnelly (Westbrook, Maine) and Marcus Mustin (Clemmons, N.C.), both vying for the starting place-kicking job this fall, each went 3-for-3 in extra-point/field goal attempts.
The Black Bears return to the practice field on Wednesday for their sixth of 15 spring sessions. The practice will last from 3:45-6:15 p.m., at Alfond Stadium. The practice is open to the public to attend.
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