DEERING High graduate Donny Drake is awaiting word on a possible stress fracture in his shin that could derail his senior cross country season at Maine.

Drake has had a tough year with injuries. An old baseball injury (ankle) caused a problem in his hip that killed training time this summer.

Some 20 televised hockey games across Hockey East will use a modified video replay system this year.

It was mentioned just briefly at Hockey East's annual Media Day yesterday in Boston by league Commish Joe Bertagna.

Could make for some interesting situations.

The video will primarily be used for controversial goals the referee may be concerned about.

Though it is a gorgeous 80-something degrees down in Boston, today hockey officially started -- at least for us media types.

It was Hockey East Media Day down at the Fleetcenter, uh I mean TD Banknorth Garden.

Maine was picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll behind New Hampshire and Boston College - which tied for first - and Boston University.

For a few of the last several years Maine's bye week has fallen at inopportune times.

Last year it fell on opening weekend, leaving no break once the season started.

In 2004 it came after the team's stunning 9-7 upset over Mississippi State - and sort of killed momentum. Maine returned two weeks later and lost at Delaware.

ORONO — Maine football lost badly here Saturday: 38-7.
But worse than the score, was how quickly it spiraled away.
Just five minutes, seven seconds into the game UMass led by a whopping 21-0.

UMass Running back Matt Lawrence ripped down the field for 179 rushing yards. On his first play of the game he busted out for a career-long 62-yarder after breaking three tackles on the way to the end zone.

Lawrence was the story for UMass. Their QB Liam Coen wasn't too shabby himself, putting up 142 passing yards on 15 of 19 completions.

Heading into the 2007 football season it was easy to figure Maine could afford to lose two conference games and probably get into the postseason.

Without games against James Madison or Delaware this year (both are top-25 teams) the eye quickly lands on two New England rivals that could turn out to be those losses: UMass and UNH. Two dominant teams ranked in the top half of all of FCS football.

What no one, including yours truly, figured was that Maine would lose in OT to Villanova last week in its CAA opener. If Maine does get its offense together that loss could really come back to bite them.

Hi Readers:

I'm going to recycle this query, because I'd like to hear from some more of you.

I'm working on a story about athletic facilities up at the University of Maine and would like to hear some opinions from former athletes or longtime fans familiar with the facilities at the Orono campus.

I'm specifically looking for feedback on the field house, the basketball facilities, the football field surface, the baseball field surface, the locker rooms, training room space etc.

Turns out a shadow was masquerading as a clavicle fracture, and wide receiver Landis Williams will return to Maine's lineup for Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against Massachusetts.

Williams (42 yards on four receptions) missed last week's game at Villanova when an X-ray technician thought his clavicle was fractured.

It's been a rough start to the sports year in Orono.

Maine's fall sports have gone a combined 7-26-2. Ouch.

Volleyball: 1-12
Field Hockey: 3-4
Football: 1-2
Women's Soccer: 1-3-2
Men's Soccer: 1-5

The University of Maine will turn to QB Adam Farkes against Massachusetts Saturday to try and right their offensive woes.

Farkes, a redshirt freshman, replaced starter Michael Brusko late in the second quarter in Maine's loss to Villanova on Saturday, and earned himself the nod.

I'm working on a story about athletic facilities up at the University of Maine and would like to hear some opinions from former athletes or longtime fans familiar with the facilities at the Orono campus.

I'm specifically looking for feedback on the field house, the basketball facilities, the football field surface, the baseball field surface, the locker rooms, training room space etc.

Do you think it's time for a renovation? What would you like to see happen?

In keeping with today's topic of O-linemen...

(Check out my colleague Glenn Jordan's piece on the Massabesic O-line.)

With all of the struggle's Maine's offense has had this year, the O-line has not been one of them.

"The O-line been our strongest unit," said Maine quarterback Michael Brusko. "At times it's been tough on them because we've resorted to running the ball. But we have guys who have ability."

Tailback Teron Allen has not practiced this week after sustaining a shoulder injury during the season's first week.

Allen, a junior who has rushed six times for 31 yards this season, underwent a MRI yesterday. Results are not yet available.

Short of bumps and bruises there are no other injuries to report.

Neither third string quarterback Chris Treister of Portland or H-back Jared Turcotte of Lewiston (Fitzy winner) have gotten any game action so far with the Maine football team.

But it is still premature to redshirt either one, Coach Jack Cosgrove said today.

"To me it's how valuable will the season be to them," said Cosgrove. "You hate to have them play and not get that true experience."

Michael Brusko is still Maine's QB.

That was reinforced by Coach Jack Cosgrove Monday on the Colonial Athletic Association weekly conference call.

Brusko threw a pick on his second snap in Maine's 38-0 loss to Connecticut Saturday. His backup Adam Farkes made his college debut later in the half and performed fairly well, particularly in the passing game.

That fueled speculation that Farkes might get the nod in Maine's CAA opener at Villanova this coming Saturday.

It wasn't pretty folks.

The University of Maine football team was blown out 38-0 by Connecticut Saturday night.

Maine picked up just 152 net yards, gave up 379, and were slowly worn down by the bigger, stronger Huskies.

Defensive lineman Bryan Grier - all 344 pounds of him - will be especially pumped for today's 7 p.m. kickoff against Connecticut.

Grier, a native of Bloomfield, Conn., was briefly recruited by UConn before making his way north to Maine. Bloomfield is a mere 10 or so miles from East Hartford's Rentschler Field.

Right tackle Chris Parcells who left Maine's season opener with an ankle injury will be a game-day decision tomorrow.

Parcells (Yes he's related: nephew of Bill Parcells) is also Maine's long snapper.

For those making the trip to Connecticut: Maine will host a tailgate from 3 to 7 p.m. in the south end of lot B at Rentschler Field.

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

The college football world is still talking about Appalachian State's stunning upset of Michigan last week: 34-32.

In Orono, the Black Bears are preparing to take on I-A (now Football Bowl Subdivision) Connecticut Saturday in Hartford. Don't think Maine - who also beat Mississippi State back in 2004 - isn't thinking upset.

Maine beat Monmouth (NEC) 21-14 to open the season last week, flashing a strong running game.

On Saturday the Black Bears are hoping to add more dimension to its offense, most notably in the passing game.

"There certainly has to be more of something," said Head Coach Jack Cosgrove. "We have to get more balance no question."

Not only is the Maine football team off to a 1-0 start on the 2007 season
but the men's futbol...okay, soccer team...is also off to a 1-0 start.

This after an 0-17 season last year.

Becks?

No ... freshman Alex Rickett scored the game winner in OT last Friday against Massachusetts for a 1-0 Maine win. Senior Jimmy Velas of Falmouth assisted on the goal.

Maine beat Monmouth 21-14 to pick up a win its season opener Saturday night under the lights at Morse Field.

Quarterback Michael Brusko picked up 109 rushing yards on 16 carries in his debut as Maine's starter.

Tailback Jhamal Fluellen had another 129 yards on 25 carries.

With kickoff of Maine's season opener just minutes away, some impressive news is circulating around Orono concerning some former players.

Mike DeVito, Maine's all-conference tackle last year, made the New York Jets roster. DeVito, 6-foot-3, 298 pounds, called Maine staff today to share the news.

Daren Stone earned a roster spot with the Atlanta Falcons. Stone, a strong safety, was drafted this spring in the sixth round following a breakout senior year at Maine.

Montell Owens also secured his position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Owens, who played with Jacksonville last year, was Maine's top tailback in 2005.