Maine @ Syracuse Sept.26th

[mainejeff]

It's now official:

http://goblackbears.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021609aaa.html

This replaces the Florida State game that was scheduled for Sept.5th.

[R3TRO]

Beat them!

[JMU Newbill]

So if you are playing that game on 9/26... does that mean you now officially have an open date on 9/5?

Someone with some authority up there put in a call and get Maine to play JMU on 9/5 so we can have an effective bye week. Thanks!

[Umass74]

Go Black Bears!

[Uncle Buck]

Nice rebound get for the Black Bears. You get the cash from Fla State and are out of a sure loss. Now you get a money game with a very beatable Syracuse team. That is a winning deal if i ever heard one.

[PapaBear]

So if you are playing that game on 9/26... does that mean you now officially have an open date on 9/5?

Someone with some authority up there put in a call and get Maine to play JMU on 9/5 so we can have an effective bye week. Thanks!

Much as we'd love to accommodate you (after all, our friends at Bridgeforth are always so hospitable when we visit; it's only right that we return the favor xrolleyesx) ... I'm pretty sure our priority is to find a HOME/OOC game to fill that opening date, so we can get another Night game in September, when we draw the best crowds.

Plus, we'd much rather play you in Harrisonburg in November when the weather cools down, rather than in Sauna-tember.

But thanks for the offer.

[Tribe4SF]

I'd look for Maine to add Sacred Heart, or another NEC team for a September home game.

[GannonFan]

So if you are playing that game on 9/26... does that mean you now officially have an open date on 9/5?

Someone with some authority up there put in a call and get Maine to play JMU on 9/5 so we can have an effective bye week. Thanks!


Yeah, I'm sure Maine will bend over backwards just to help you guys out, even if that means playing in significant heat early in the year. xrolleyesx

As for Maine playing Syracuse, that has to be one of the best chances an FCS team has to beat an FBS team, and a BCS one at that.

[Ivytalk]

Nice rebound get for the Black Bears. You get the cash from Fla State and are out of a sure loss. Now you get a money game with a very beatable Syracuse team. That is a winning deal if i ever heard one.

'Zactly!xthumbsupx

[JMU Newbill]

Yeah, I'm sure Maine will bend over backwards just to help you guys out, even if that means playing in significant heat early in the year. xrolleyesx

As for Maine playing Syracuse, that has to be one of the best chances an FCS team has to beat an FBS team, and a BCS one at that.

Oh come on guys! Its Virginia! Its not THAT hot.


Besides.. its not the heat... its the humidity.


But yea... its more wishful thinking on my part than anything. Prob wont happen.

[danefan]

The word this summer was that Maine was scheduled to be at Albany this year. Albany has 9/19 and 9/26 unconfirmed so far.

[mainejeff]

The word this summer was that Maine was scheduled to be at Albany this year. Albany has 9/19 and 9/26 unconfirmed so far.

Looks like Maine could be at Albany on 9/19. Let's hope so.

[PapaBear]

Looks like Maine could be at Albany on 9/19. Let's hope so.

Not according to Coach Cos. Albany next year, but not this year, he says. Could change ... but that info comes directly from him.

Still trying to find a home date for 9/5. My guess is you'll see an AWAY OOC on either 9/19 or 10/24, with a BYE on the other.

Someone mentioned St Francis in Orono on 9/5. No offense to StF... but I hope we pick up someone more challenging for Opening Day. I think players respond better to a solid opening day opponent. You beat up on a team like that, and you go into Week 2 still not really knowing what you have. (On the other hand, you let them upset you, and it could send your season on a downward spiral from which you might never recover.)

[aceinthehole]

Not according to Coach Cos. Albany next year, but not this year, he says. Could change ... but that info comes directly from him.

Still trying to find a home date for 9/5. My guess is you'll see an AWAY OOC on either 9/19 or 10/24, with a BYE on the other.

Someone mentioned St Francis in Orono on 9/5. No offense to StF... but I hope we pick up someone more challenging for Opening Day. I think players respond better to a solid opening day opponent. You beat up on a team like that, and you go into Week 2 still not really knowing what you have. (On the other hand, you let them upset you, and it could send your season on a downward spiral from which you might never recover.)

Don't worry, the Red Flash aren't coming to Orono this year. Saint Francis is at New Hampshire on 9/5.

The only NEC team (other than Albany) that has an opening that day is Sacred Heart.

[danefan]

Not according to Coach Cos. Albany next year, but not this year, he says. Could change ... but that info comes directly from him.

Still trying to find a home date for 9/5. My guess is you'll see an AWAY OOC on either 9/19 or 10/24, with a BYE on the other.

Someone mentioned St Francis in Orono on 9/5. No offense to StF... but I hope we pick up someone more challenging for Opening Day. I think players respond better to a solid opening day opponent. You beat up on a team like that, and you go into Week 2 still not really knowing what you have. (On the other hand, you let them upset you, and it could send your season on a downward spiral from which you might never recover.)

I see. Wait until our stud RB graduates and then play us.... I get it. xsmiley_wix

That sucks if true. I was looking forward to Maine at Albany this year. Well, looks like we may be travelling to Newark again.

[PapaBear]

I see. Wait until our stud RB graduates and then play us.... I get it. xsmiley_wix

That sucks if true. I was looking forward to Maine at Albany this year. Well, looks like we may be travelling to Newark again.


Yeah, it would have been a much better matchup than we had with you guys a few years ago up in Portland.

On your "stud RB" ... all I can say (and I know you were kidding) is that he can't be more of a stud than the Sinisi kid from Monmouth, who we faced for two years. Kid was a player.

[mainejeff]

Not according to Coach Cos. Albany next year, but not this year, he says. Could change ... but that info comes directly from him.

Still trying to find a home date for 9/5. My guess is you'll see an AWAY OOC on either 9/19 or 10/24, with a BYE on the other.

Someone mentioned St Francis in Orono on 9/5. No offense to StF... but I hope we pick up someone more challenging for Opening Day. I think players respond better to a solid opening day opponent. You beat up on a team like that, and you go into Week 2 still not really knowing what you have. (On the other hand, you let them upset you, and it could send your season on a downward spiral from which you might never recover.)

OK......what I don't understand is WHY is scheduling an issue year after year after........xconfusedxxconfusedxxconfusedx. I understand the 9/5 date needing to be filled due to the FSU situation........but are you telling me that they still have to schedule 2 games? xconfusedx

[PapaBear]

OK......what I don't understand is WHY is scheduling an issue year after year after........xconfusedxxconfusedxxconfusedx. I understand the 9/5 date needing to be filled due to the FSU situation........but are you telling me that they still have to schedule 2 games? xconfusedx

Yeah, it looks like right now we only have nine including Syracuse, and five are away games. So we have to add at least one more at home.

I have to believe location is the key issue in scheduling. Orono is a long enough trip in September and October. Add weather to the mix in November (even though most of the threat is perceived rather than actual), and Maine becomes an even less attractive opponent.

Then there's the intangible of playing a team that will almost always give you a tough, physical game. Not that we're gonna blow people out every year. But let's face it, when teams schedule OOC games, they like to make sure at least one or two of them are pretty sure wins. Maine -- especially in Orono -- rarely meets that requirement, even when we're down.

Consider it a badge of honor. I do and I know the players do.xsmiley_wix

[mainejeff]

Yeah, it looks like right now we only have nine including Syracuse, and five are away games. So we have to add at least one more at home.

I have to believe location is the key issue in scheduling. Orono is a long enough trip in September and October. Add weather to the mix in November (even though most of the threat is perceived rather than actual), and Maine becomes an even less attractive opponent.

Then there's the intangible of playing a team that will almost always give you a tough, physical game. Not that we're gonna blow people out every year. But let's face it, when teams schedule OOC games, they like to make sure at least one or two of them are pretty sure wins. Maine -- especially in Orono -- rarely meets that requirement, even when we're down.

Consider it a badge of honor. I do and I know the players do.xsmiley_wix

It really BUGS ME if what you say is true. xmadx Why would we be in mid-February and they STILL have 2 games to schedule for 2009?xconfusedxxsmhx By the way, November is moot (excluding Iona last season)........November OOC games are usually not an issue.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

OK......what I don't understand is WHY is scheduling an issue year after year after........xconfusedxxconfusedxxconfusedx. I understand the 9/5 date needing to be filled due to the FSU situation........but are you telling me that they still have to schedule 2 games? xconfusedx


It really BUGS ME if what you say is true. xmadx Why would we be in mid-February and they STILL have 2 games to schedule for 2009?xconfusedxxsmhx By the way, November is moot (excluding Iona last season)........November OOC games are usually not an issue.

Agreed, November is usually league schedule time. It is odd that you need two games since for a long time you had the FSU game nailed down and your AD could concentrate on the other games. The FSU situation just popped up recently, but your AD rebounded nicely by getting Syracuse! BTW, beat the halibut out of them!! xnodx I heard rumors that the Orange were going to be UNH's FBS game for 2009 but they never offered a formal contract after we beat Army and made the playoffs again. xrolleyesx xrolleyesx

With all the money you made from FSU, maybe you can buy a game and bring someone into Orono for a one time game? Or schedule a home and home that would otherwise be cost prohibitive? Good luck! Hope you get reasonable quality for those last two games.

[aceinthehole]

It really BUGS ME if what you say is true. xmadx Why would we be in mid-February and they STILL have 2 games to schedule for 2009?xconfusedxxsmhx By the way, November is moot (excluding Iona last season)........November OOC games are usually not an issue.

We probably can't do anything this year, but I know CCSU is looking for some future home/home deals.

If Maine is willing to give Monmouth and Stony Brook return games, I have NO DOUBT that CCSU would sign up for a game in Orono in return for a game in New Britain. As recently as 1985-86 CCSU and Maine did a home and home series, although Central's last game vs. the Black Bears was a guarantee trip to Portland in 2002.