The University of Maine’s football team is focused on continuing its positive progression after posting five wins a year ago, one more than the previous two seasons combined.
“We did take a step forward last year and that was shown culturally. Talent-wise, we continued to improve our roster and with the character of the guys here, we improved in the classroom and that showed on the field,” said UMaine head coach Jordan Stevens during the Coastal Athletic Association preseason media press conference on Wednesday.
“We fully believe we will be taking that next step this year,” said Stevens. “The guys are moving and working and training with a sense of belief, a sense of purpose where we have an expectation to improve and continue to be competitive with the top half of our conference and compete for championships.”
The league’s coaches don’t expect the Black Bears to do so, picking them to finish ninth among the league’s 14 teams in the preseason poll.
The Black Bears finished 11th a year ago with their 3-5 conference record to go with an overall mark of 5-7.
Stevens was unfazed by the poll.
“On the list of important things that are going on, that’s pretty far down there,” said Stevens, who is in his fourth season at the helm.
UMaine went 2-9 overall in each of his first two seasons with 2-6 and 1-7 conference records.
UMaine senior linebacker Latrell Couchman said expectations are “very high” heading into this next season.
“We’re humble and hungry and have a lot to build off from last year,” said Couchman. “That’s really the message we’re harping on. We’re closer as a team. We’re doing stuff as a defense together off the field.”
That included going to the lake together this past weekend, the linebacker said.
“The closest teams are the best teams. Us being closer and holding each other accountable is really going to go a long way when it’s the fourth quarter and it’s time to put your big boy pants on.” added Couchman. “This is my last year. I’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth out of my four years here. This is the closest team I’ve been on and I’m ready to get this rolling.”
Carter Peevy will begin his second season as the Black Bears’ starting quarterback after transferring from Mercer University in Georgia. He anticipates a jump from him and the team in year two.
He has gotten to know his teammates better and said they “had a great offseason” on and off the field.
“The guys have been working really hard. I expect a lot of success this year,” Peevy said. “Obviously, we’ve got to work really hard through fall camp getting on the same page and polishing things up. We made a significant jump last year but, this year, we have to keep raising the standards.”
Couchman, whose 35 tackles were 10th most on the team, will be one of the leaders on defense along with fellow linebacker Christian Thomas, whose 63 tackles were third-most.
Couchman and Thomas will be playing behind an unproven defensive line as all four starters have departed. Those former starters were all among the team’s top nine tacklers.
“We lost a lot of guys but that doesn’t really mean anything to us. We have the next-man-up mentality,” said Couchman. “I trust in my brothers. They’re going to get the job done.”
Couchman said the defensive line is “working their tails off” and he loves how they are working right now.
“That’s all that matters. Whoever used to be here with us is in the past. We’re worried about the future. We’re just focused on the next step right now,” Couchman said.
Peevy completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,422 yards and 18 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
He did lose his top two receivers in Montigo Moss (61 catches, 722 yards) and Joe Gillette (30-for-466) but No. 3 receiver Nick Laughlin from Cape Elizabeth returns as does leading rusher Brian Santana-Fis (84 carries, 418 yards).
But Stevens and his staff brought in a number of transfers and recruits to fill the void left by the departed players.
Senior Trevin Ewing was named to the preseason all-conference team. He returned 27 kickoffs for 742 yards and a touchdown last fall.
Peevy, Thomas, safety Devin Vaught (43 tackles, 3 interceptions) and cornerback Jamaree Gibson (34 tackles, 1 interception, 9 pass breakups) were chosen as honorable mentions.
Rhode Island was chosen in the preseason poll to win the conference followed by Monmouth, Villanova, Stony Brook, New Hampshire, Towson, William and Mary, Elon, Maine, Campbell, Hampton, Albany, Bryant and North Carolina A & T.
The preseason Offensive Player of the Year was former UMaine quarterback Derek Robertson, who transferred to Monmouth a year ago, and the Defensive Player of the Year was URI linebacker A.J. Pena.
UMaine will open the season against Football Bowl Subdivision team Liberty University (Virginia) on Sat., Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.
Liberty went 8-4 a year ago including a 26-7 loss to Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl.
UMaine is in the Football Championship Subdivision, which is a notch below the FBS.
UMaine travels to play William and Mary in Virginia on Sept. 6 in its CAA opener before returning home to host Stonehill College of Massachusetts in its home opener on Sept. 13.
