Football Coach Jack Cosgrove and the University of Maine have agreed in principle to a contract extension both sides confirmed today.

The language of the deal, said athletic director Blake James, is being worked out. It is likely to be final within a few weeks at the longest.

"We're working out the final details," said James. "We hope to get it done as quick as we can."

Jack Cosgrove withdrew his name from consideration for the head football coaching job at the University of Rhode Island according to Maine sports information.

URI will name its new football coach in an afternooon press conference Tuesday.

Cosgrove, meanwhile, continues talks with Maine.

More when when we can confirm . . .

Maine hockey faces a tough end of the first semester challenge on Sunday at nationally ranked New Hampshire.

Will be an interesting game for a couple of reasons.

1. Maine hasn't faced UNH since Trevor Smith ran goalie Ben Bishop in the crease last February. Smith has since left to go pro, and Bishop has recovered from a fairly serious groin injury.

The University of Maine offered Football Coach Jack Cosgrove a contract extension last Tuesday, said Athletic Director Blake James. He said the two sides are still in negotiations.

Cosgrove is also exploring other options. It was reported in this morning's Providence Journal that Cosgrove is one of four finalists for the vacant head coaching position at the University of Rhode Island.

Windham's Matt Duffy scored three goals to lead Maine to a 3-1 win over Merrimack College on Saturday night at Alfond Arena.

The win snapped an 0-5-2 winless streak for the Black Bears and moved them to 7th place in the Hockey East standings from 10th.

Duffy was converted to forward just a few weeks ago to help spark the team's offense and his own game.

Maine's football field will have a new artificial infill surface by next season to replace the aged astroturf thanks to a $1 million gift from Phillip and Susan Morse.

That's not all.

The athletic department will also spend another $1.2 million to lay a similar turf on Mahaney Diamond by the 2009 season, and build a traditional nylon carpet-like field for the field hockey team adjacent to the softball comlplex to be completed for the 2008 season.

Defensive end Jovan Belcher was named to the 2007 New England Football Writers Association FCS All-Star Team. Belcher was also named to the All-CAA First-Team two weeks ago.