What Is 2013 Maine Black Bears football team

Overview

The 2013 Maine Black Bears football team represented the University of Maine in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Jack Cosgrove in his 13th and final season at the helm.

Playing their home games at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine, the Black Bears finished the season with a 5–7 overall record and a 3–5 mark in conference play. Despite showing moments of competitiveness, the team failed to qualify for the FCS playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

• Record: The Black Bears posted a 5–7 overall record, including a 3–5 performance in CAA games, marking their fourth straight non-winning season.
• Head coach:Jack Cosgrove coached his final season in 2013, ending a 13-year tenure with a 63–78 overall record at Maine.
• Stadium: All home games were played at Alfond Stadium, a 8,454-seat venue in Orono, Maine, which has hosted Black Bears football since 1958.
• Quarterback: Senior Marcus McNeill started most games, throwing for 1,832 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on the season.
• Offensive output: The team averaged 22.3 points per game while allowing 25.8 points per game, highlighting their narrow scoring deficits.

Season Performance

The 2013 campaign was marked by inconsistency, with Maine starting the season 3–1 before losing five of their next six games. Key losses to CAA rivals like Towson and New Hampshire ultimately derailed any playoff aspirations.

• Early success: Maine began the season 3–1, including a 34–12 win over Colgate in Week 2, showing promise on both offense and defense.
• Conference struggles: The Black Bears went 0–4 against ranked CAA opponents, losing to Towson, New Hampshire, James Madison, and Richmond.
• Defensive effort: Linebacker Ryan Simmons led the team with 98 total tackles, including 57 solo stops, ranking him among CAA leaders.
• Special teams: Kicker Chris Howley made 8 of 13 field goals, with a long of 44 yards, but inconsistency cost the team in close games.
• Season finale: Maine closed with a 38–28 win over Albany, providing a positive note before Cosgrove’s departure and the hiring of new head coach Jack Bicknell Jr.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Maine Black Bears compared to key CAA peers in overall and conference records:

While Maine finished near the bottom of the CAA standings, several conference rivals advanced deep into the FCS playoffs. The Black Bears’ 3–5 conference record placed them in a tie for eighth, underscoring the gap between them and the league’s upper tier. Despite improvements in some statistical categories, the team lacked the consistency needed for a postseason berth.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season marked a transitional year for Maine football, both in terms of leadership and program direction. The resignation of long-time coach Jack Cosgrove signaled a shift in strategy as the university sought to revitalize its FCS program.

• Coaching change:Jack Cosgrove’s resignation ended a 13-year era, opening the door for new leadership under Jack Bicknell Jr.
• Recruiting impact: The season’s outcome influenced future recruiting classes, with Maine aiming to attract more high-impact athletes.
• Conference parity: The CAA’s competitive depth highlighted the need for Maine to upgrade facilities and player development.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained experience, setting the foundation for future seasons under new coaching staff.
• Program identity: The team’s struggles emphasized the importance of special teams and turnover margin, areas needing improvement.
• FCS relevance: Remaining competitive in the FCS requires sustained investment, and 2013 underscored Maine’s need for long-term planning.

Though the 2013 season didn’t yield playoff success, it served as a catalyst for change. The transition in coaching and focus on player development laid groundwork for future competitiveness in one of the FCS’s toughest conferences.