Maine school of hard Knox

Saturday, August 13, 2005

By TRAVIS LAZARCZYK
Staff Writer

ORONO -- When Justin Knox joined the University of Maine football team as a freshman walk-on in 2001, his biggest asset was his work ethic. Now a senior projected to be a starter on the Black Bear defense, Knox's biggest asset is still his work ethic.

"(Knox) has worked hard," Maine head coach Jack Cosgrove said during the team's media day events on Friday at Alfond Stadium. "He does the people at (Messalonskee) proud as an athlete and a student. As a senior, he's getting his chance to start."

Knox, a 6-foot-1, 223 pound safety/linebacker and graduate of Messalonskee High School, has already been a regular contributor on special teams at Maine. He'll start at outside linebacker for the Black Bears. Knox and the rest of the defense will be tested immediately, when the Black Bears open the season Sept. 3 at Big 12 powerhouse Nebraska. Winning at Mississippi State last season will help keep Maine from being starstruck in front of 73,918 fans at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium, Knox said, as will playing in front of large crowds at Delaware and Montana.

"Actually, I think Montana was the loudest place I've ever played," Knox said. "I never expected to be playing at Nebraska. It won't be mind-blowing."

Just a few days into practice, Cosgrove isn't concerned with the Cornhuskers just yet.

"We're not talking about it much right now," Cosgrove said of the opener. "Right now we're trying to develop an identity. So much goes into putting a football team together. We have 17 days of practice. Part of the plan of these 17 days is to say 'This is who we are, now let's go play Nebraska.'"

The Black Bears finished the 2004 season with a 5-6 record, but entered last season with the highest expectations in the program's history, ranked as high as No. 2 in the country in some preseason 1-AA polls. With 30 true freshman on the roster, the team has been predicted to land somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic-10 standings this time around.

"We really have nothing to lose," Knox said. "This is a really tough conference. You look and see some teams that were down are now powers. Like (the University of New Hampshire), when I was a freshman we beat them pretty good, but last year they made the playoffs."

In addition to playing Nebraska, Maine will take on three teams that reached the 1-AA playoffs last season, including national champion James Madison, 2003 national champ Delaware and New Hampshire.

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When Winslow graduate Ben McPherson purchased the popular college football video game from EA Sports entitled NCAA 2006, he was pleased to find himself on Maine's roster. Because of their amateur status, the players aren't named, but there was No. 43, a freshman fullback, a virtual McPherson.

McPherson plugged his virtual double into the starting lineup and began calling his own number in the huddle. It might not be too long before he finds himself on the real field.

"Ben had a real good spring. He stayed up here this summer and came into camp much bigger and faster," Cosgrove said. "He loves football and you can promise yourself he's going to work hard."

Most of McPherson's time at Winslow was spent at tight end and linebacker. He spent his redshirt season learning his new position.

"I know the plays now. I can work on my technique more. I don't have to worry if I've got my assignment right," McPherson said.

McPherson hopes to impress the Maine coaches enough to earn a seat on the flight to Nebraska for the season opener.

"If I make it out there, it'll be amazing," he said.

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Derek Runnells, a teammate of McPherson's at Winslow and also a redshirt freshman, is switching positions this year. After working out at linebacker, the 6-1, 210 pound Runnells has moved to defensive end.

"I feel more comfortable at defensive end," said Runnells, who played the position for the Black Raiders.

Runnells missed the spring semester with mononucleosis. The illness caused Runnells to lose both weight and practice time.

"(Runnells) lost a lot of weight and he's further behind in his development because of it. At defensive end, he's small for this level, but he's starting to get it," Cosgrove said. "The thing Derek does bring is quickness and speed."

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Madison native Bob Wilder, Maine's offensive coordinator, is back for his 16th season as an assistant coach with his alma mater. Waterville's Brian Scott is in his second season on the Maine coaching staff and will coach the offensive line.

Both Wilder and Scott quarterbacked the Black Bears. Wilder, a 1987 Maine graduate, ranks sixth all-time in passing yards at Maine with 4,746. Scott, a 2000 Maine grad, is 12th all-time in passing yards at Maine with 1,660.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com