ORONO, Maine — University of Maine third-year head football coach Jordan Stevens wants his team to live up to the program’s identity this season after coming off consecutive 2-9 campaigns.
And one of the trademarks of the Black Bear program over the years has been a hard-nosed running game that wears opponents down.
That was clearly missing a year ago when the Black Bears averaged just 79.7 rushing yards per game and only 3.01 yards per carry.
There were only three teams among 122 Football Championship Subdivision schools that rushed for fewer yards per game.
One of the players Stevens will be relying on this season to jumpstart the running game will be Montana State transfer Jaharie Martin beginning with Friday’s 7 p.m. opener against visiting Colgate University (N.Y.).
The hard-running, 6-foot, 230-pound Martin had a 59-yard run in UMaine’s annual Jeff Cole Memorial Spring Game in April and also had touchdown runs of 15 and four yards.
Stevens said Martin could play a huge role in UMaine’s offensive scheme.
“He brings a level of physicality to our offense,” said Stevens. “I noticed that in the spring game. He is 225, 230 pounds so he is going to wear on a defense. He also has the ability to block on the perimeter.”
Black Bear quarterback Carter Peevy, who will start against Colgate, agreed.
“He is golng to be a big part of what we do,” said Peevy. “I really like him as a back. He is a big, physical runner who knows how to hit the hole. He is one of our strongest guys in the weight room and one of our hardest workers.”
Martin was a productive fullback in high school in Lakeland, Florida but really made a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker. He was named the Polk County Defensive Player of the Year.
But when he arrived at Montana State, they were stacked at the linebacker position including current Atlanta Falcons LB and second round draft pick Troy Anderson.
“And they played a 4-2-5 (defensive alignment) so there were only two linebackers on the field,” said Martin.
As a result, the Montana State coaching staff moved him to running back.
“They saw some fullback tape on me in high school and had some trust in me carrying the ball. And I was good with (the position change),” he said.
He was then moved from tailback to fullback in 2021 and, in 22 career games, he carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards.
He entered the transfer portal and the UMaine coaching staff reached out to him.
“I wanted to get someplace closer to home. I’m on the eastern seaboard and in the same time zone now. Maine had a running back depth problem and I was trying to fill a spot so it was a mutual thing,” Martin said.
Martin is the type of back who loves contact.
“I embrace it,” said Martin, who considers himself a power back.
“I run downhill with one cut. I also have deceptive speed. Once I get a chance to break one, I can turn it on a little bit,” said Martin.
He said changing positions at Montana State altered his mindset.
“I lost a little bit of confidence so I’m trying to get that confidence back and prove to myself what I can do,” said Martin. “I’m just going to get on the field and play my game.”
He is happy with his progress and the team’s.
“It’s still a young team but we have the right amount of older guys who lead us in the right way and who have seen winning happen,” said Martin. “I’ve come from a semifinal team and a team that played for the national championship. So I’ve seen how things should go.”
His 2021 Montana State team lost in the FCS title game to North Dakota State 38-10.
Colgate is coming off a 6-5 campaign, 4-2 in the Patriot League, and the Raiders were picked to finish fourth in the seven-team league in the preseason poll.
The Raiders placed five players on the All-Patriot League preseason team in wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders, who caught 68 passes for 859 yards and four TDs a year ago; offensive tackle Chance Niesner and center Bardhyl Gashi; linebacker Christian Sweeney and punter Shelby Pruett.
Senior quarterback Michael Brescia rushed for all three touchdowns, including a crucial 68-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter, to lead Colgate to a 21-18 win over UMaine in Orono two years ago.
“They’re a tough team. They play sound football and they have real good motors,” said UMaine starting offensive tackle John Olmstead, a graduate student transfer from Patriot League champion Lafayette (Pa.).
The University of Maine announced upgrades to the fan experience beginning Friday night.
There will be an expanded ‘Kids Zone’ including additional inflatable games, face painting, balloon animals, lawn games and an autograph session.
The beer garden has been enhanced and moved to the north end zone. It will feature a covered tent and there will be several upgraded seating options.
The Maine VIP and corporate sponsor tents have been relocated to the south end zone to provide optimal visibility; all ticket operations will function out of the Alfond Stadium at the base of the main grandstand on Tunk Road on game day to simplify things for fans.
In addition, there will be a postgame fireworks display put on by Phantom Fireworks.
