What Is 2009 Maine Black Bears football team

Overview

The 2009 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2009 season. Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Jack Cosgrove, who was in his 15th year at the helm.

The Black Bears played their home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine, and experienced a moderate season with more wins than losses but fell short of postseason qualification. Despite strong individual performances, the team struggled with consistency in conference matchups.

• The team finished the season with a 6–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement over their 5–6 record in 2008.
• They posted a 4–4 mark in CAA play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings and outside playoff contention.
• Head coach Jack Cosgrove continued to build the program with a focus on defense and disciplined play, though offensive production remained inconsistent.
• Quarterback Dan Collins was the starting signal-caller, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.
• Running back Jhamal Bell led the ground attack, rushing for 637 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive approach.

Season Performance

The 2009 campaign featured a mix of competitive non-conference games and tough CAA matchups, with the Black Bears showing flashes of potential but failing to string together enough wins for a playoff berth. The team opened the season with a win against St. Anselm, a Division II opponent, before facing a challenging conference slate.

• September 5, 2009: Defeated St. Anselm 35–14, starting the season on a positive note with a balanced offensive performance.
• September 12: Lost to UMass 27–20, a close game against a fellow FCS program that highlighted defensive vulnerabilities.
• October 3: Beat Richmond 24–21, an important conference win against a ranked opponent that boosted team morale.
• November 7: Lost to Villanova 38–14, a decisive defeat that eliminated Maine from playoff contention.
• November 21: Season finale loss to New Hampshire 27–24, a narrow defeat in the intrastate rivalry game known as the 'Battle for the Brice–Cowell Musket'.
• Defense allowed 23.5 points per game, ranking in the middle tier of the CAA, with standout performances from linebacker Donte Dennis.
• Special teams contributed under kicker Chris Couhig, who made 10 of 14 field goal attempts and converted all 25 extra-point tries.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2009 Maine Black Bears to the previous season and conference peers reveals trends in performance and competitiveness.

The Black Bears improved slightly in overall record and scoring offense from 2008, but their defense remained just above the conference average. While they matched their conference win total, they lacked the decisive victories needed to earn a postseason bid, finishing behind teams like Villanova and James Madison in the standings.

Why It Matters

The 2009 season was a transitional year for Maine football, reflecting both progress and the challenges of competing in a deep conference like the CAA. It provided valuable experience for younger players and set the foundation for future development under Cosgrove’s leadership.

• The season demonstrated incremental improvement, with a winning record and better offensive output than the previous year.
• Player development was evident, particularly in the emergence of sophomore and junior contributors on both sides of the ball.
• Competitive losses to ranked teams like Villanova and New Hampshire showed Maine could contend with top-tier CAA programs.
• Home-field advantage at Alfond Stadium remained strong, with the team winning three of five games in Orono.
• Recruiting momentum continued, as consistent performance helped attract talent for the 2010 season and beyond.
• The program maintained stability under long-tenured coach Jack Cosgrove, a rarity in college football at the FCS level.

While the 2009 Maine Black Bears did not reach the playoffs, their season contributed to the ongoing evolution of the program and laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the CAA.