University of Maine Coach Jordan Stevens watches his team during practice in Orono in early August. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
Days from his first game as a college football head coach, Jordan Stevens was excited.
With his University of Maine coaching staff and players, Stevens had gone over all the details of the game plan for Saturday night’s season opener at the University of New Mexico. In his head, Stevens was ready for Plan A, Plan B, and if necessary, Plan C once the game is underway.
“It’s being mentally locked into all the situations,” Stevens said Tuesday before leading his Black Bears on to the practice field. “That’s the role of the head coach. I believe that. To be ahead of the game, to have a plan of how you want the game to go. Having that awareness is the first step.”
A 2010 graduate of Maine and an all-conference defensive lineman as a player, Stevens was hired to coach his alma mater in December after former head coach Nick Charlton left to become offensive coordinator at UConn.
Maine’s first home game is set for Sept. 10 when it hosts Colgate in a non-conference game. Maine opens Colonial Athletic Association play at home on Oct. 1 against Villanova.
With the start of the season upon us, here are five things to watch for with the Black Bears this season.
QB IS ‘A STEADY FORCE’
Senior quarterback Joe Fagnano was poised for a breakout season last fall but missed seven games because of an ankle injury. Now healthy, Fagnano is eager to live up to the promise he showed as a freshman in 2019, when he played eight games, throwing 17 touchdown passes with just three interceptions.
“Injuries are going to happen. I’m not going to dwell on it. I’m excited for this year and this team,” Fagnano said.
In 16 career games, Fagnano has 3,424 passing yards while throwing 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s completed 62 percent of his passes, and made a favorable impression on his new head coach and teammates alike.
In 16 career games, UMaine quarterback Joe Fagnano has thrown 31 touchdown passes and six interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
“(Fagnano’s) one of the more consistent players I’ve ever been around. His attitude, preparation, practice, he just shows up every day. He really has a methodical way about him I think all his teammates respect,” Stevens said. “Joe has had an outstanding camp. He’s just a steady force within the team. I think he’s in a confident place right now.”
Senior wide receiver Kobay White transferred to Maine this season after four seasons at Boston College, and said getting to play with Fagnano was one of the reasons why.
“I haven’t seen a quarterback that good at this level, to be honest,” White said. “A lot of people think he could play a lot of places, I’ll put it that way. He’s a leader out there.”
VETERAN OFFENSIVE LINE
Led by senior center Michael Gerace, a preseason all-conference selection, the offensive line returns four seniors who have seen significant starting time for the Black Bears. Seniors returning along with Gerace are left tackle Tyrie Francois, left guard Tyler Royal and right tackle Kevin Jones. A grad student, Royal was sidelined last fall because of an injury sustained in the four-game 2021 spring season, but started 10 games in 2019.
“I’m excited to see what we do Saturday,” Gerace said.
The lone newcomer to the starting offensive line is Bucksport native David Gross at right guard. The 6-foot-1, 323-pound sophomore saw action in three games last season.
“David’s really the new guy there. He’s done a great job all offseason and built himself into shape and is ready to go,” Stevens said.
The Black Bears averaged just under 338 yards of offense per game last season. For that to improve, the veteran line needs to play well.
PROMISING SECONDARY
The depth chart released for Saturday’s game features sophomores starting at three of the four spots in Maine’s defensive secondary: cornerback Kahzir “Buggs” Brown, free safety Abdul Stewart and strong safety Shakur Smalls. Each saw plenty of playing time last fall.
Brown played in 11 games, making 23 tackles and leading the Black Bears with three interceptions. Smalls also played in all 11 games, making 53 tackles with two picks, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Stewart played in eight games, with seven tackles and an interception.
Defensive backs Abdul Stewart, center, and Shakur Smalls, right, reach for the ball after it was tipped at a University of Maine football practice in August. Smalls came up with the interception on the play. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
“We did very well, considering we were so young,” Brown said. “This year is a different ball game. We need to step it up a whole another level. We’re here to do everything we’ve got to do.”
Senior corner Benito Speight, expected to start opposite of Brown, played just three game last fall before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He was given a medical redshirt and did not lose a year of eligibility.
“All those guys, they’ve been awesome to work with,” Stevens said. “Those guys have just been all in. They want to be leaders, want to be vocal, want to work at it. They’ve certainly earned that opportunity to get on the field and have a major role for us. I’m excited to see them play.”
THE IMPACT OF NEWBIES
Among the newcomers, White, the transfer from Boston College, comes with the most expectations. He is expected to start at wideout after missing all of last season because of a knee injury. Prior to tearing his ACL in 2020, White was among BC’s top pass catchers. In 2019, White had 29 receptions for 460 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. In three seasons at Boston College, he had 96 catches for 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns.
After taking a medical redshirt season in 2021, White felt he needed a change, and he thinks he found the right fit with the Black Bears.
“I’m hoping I can help Coach Stevens come and build the program up,” White said. “The main goal is to leave it better than it was when I got here. I feel like if I handle what I’m supposed to handle, everything else will kind of play out. I don’t need anything handed to me. I’m going to come in and compete and work hard.”
Another newcomer who could contribute immediately is freshman Rohan Jones. Recruited as a wide receiver, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Jones has practiced at tight end and is listed behind senior starter Shawn Bowman on the depth chart.
“(Jones) taking on that role has been huge, and he’s embraced it, too. He’s like, I’ll do this for the team, and he’s got the physical size to do it,” Stevens said.
PASS RUSH MUST IMPROVE
Maine recorded just 12 sacks in 11 games last season, with only 10 quarterback hurries to boot, making for the worst pass rush in the CAA. With Stevens, who had 24 sacks in his college career at Maine, working with the defensive front, expect the pass rush to improve.
Defensive end Khairi Manns is the leading returning sacker with three last season. The return of a healthy Jamehl Wiley, who missed much of last season because of an injury, should also help.
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