enlarge 2008 Press Herald file

Adam Farkes is leaving the UMaine football program, clearing the way for Michael Brusko to be the starting quarterback for his senior season.

For the first time in his career at the University of Maine, Michael Brusko will begin spring football in 2009 as the clear No. 1 quarterback for the Black Bears, following the departure of Adam Farkes.

Farkes requested and was granted a release last week by Coach Jack Cosgrove, who said the quarterback plans to transfer to a Division II or III school so he doesn't lose a year of eligibility.

Brusko went 6-2 after taking over the job from Farkes Oct. 11 at Delaware, a game in which Farkes suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Brusko guided Maine to six straight wins and the team's first trip to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs since 2002.

"When I initially heard about it I was confused. Stunned. I didn't see it coming at all," Brusko said of Farkes' departure. "But I know I need to prepare the same way. I guess I try not to think of it (as being the No. 1).

"It hurts to lose Adam, as more depth, and also as a friend, but I want to make sure my preparation is the same."

Brusko said news of Farkes' departure trickled through the team last week. Farkes has remained unavailable beyond a short statement released Saturday in which he expressed well wishes to his former teammates.

"I have no magic words. Nobody does," said Cosgrove. "When they say they don't want to be here, I go with our next man. ... There's a tremendous value of wanting to be someplace."

Farkes underwent a second shoulder surgery on his left non-throwing arm last month – the first was in the offseason last year – but was expected to be healthy by the time spring football begins in April.

Cosgrove said he had anticipated Brusko and Farkes competing for the No. 1 job.

"I think all of us believe that competition brings out the best in you," said Cosgrove. "For us it would have been very challenging to unseat a guy who had done as much as (Brusko) had done for us in terms of productivity.

"Yet you've always got to be aware of playing your best player. Who would that have been? We don't get to find that out between those two."

Farkes' departure moves former Portland High standout Chris Treister up to No. 2 on the depth chart, and Cosgrove said he and his staff already had plans to recruit another quarterback.

"It is minus one person in the running, but it's the same kind of competition," said Treister, a red-shirt freshman. "I know everything I need to work on. That's not going to change with Adam leaving."

Cosgrove said Treister has improved dramatically since coming to Orono, and his challenge now is to become more consistent.

"From his August '07 camp to now, he's made great strides," said Cosgrove. "He has an ability to one day really, really get your attention, and the next day maybe not be at that same level.

"I always thought he had pretty good accuracy, now he's even more accurate. The velocity of his throws, the way the ball comes off his hand, he's just a much better passer. And I think he's become more disciplined. In his first camp he'd scramble around for three minutes if he could. He's developed a better understanding of the offense. He's not that far off, in my opinion."

Farkes, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore from Boston, had nine touchdown passes and six interceptions in six games this season, completing 79 of 147 passes for 870 yards.

Brusko, a 6-3, 226-pound junior from Zionsville, Pa., does not have as strong of an arm, but his ability to complement Maine's running game with his own rushing was critical to the team's success this season. He gained 412 yards, behind only Jared Turcotte (602 yards) and Jhamal Fluellen (595).

Brusko's leadership on the field and in the locker room was an intangible that seemed to make a significant impact.

"It's something that can't be coached," said Treister. "Mike's a guy everyone on the team looks at as one of the best leaders. I look up to him as well....