UMaine Football Focuses on Ball Security Amid Recent Loss

Orono, ME — The Black Bears found themselves without their usual rhythm following a 17-14 defeat to Bryant on Saturday, and head coach Jordan Stevens has turned his attention toward fundamentals rather than high-octane offense. In response to the loss, the team will spend additional time working on ball security during upcoming practices, a priority highlighted by interim offensive coordinator Sean Green.

Sean Green assumed the role of interim offensive coordinator two weeks ago, following the dismissal of longtime assistant Mikahael Waters. Green previously served as running backs coach under Stevens and brought his coaching experience from a successful stint leading the Portland football team to a Class A state title just two seasons prior. His résumé includes guiding the Cape Elizabeth Panthers to a Class C Gold Ball victory five years ago and serving as a quarterback coach at the University of New England last season.

The recent setback has made ball security a central focus for Green and the coaching staff. After the Saturday loss, the Black Bears struggled to maintain possession, fumbling four times and converting three of those recoveries into scores. This pattern of turnovers has become a recurring theme throughout the season, with the team managing more than 16 points in only one instance—the 21-18 victory over Towson earlier in the year—when they managed a brief but intense surge in scoring during the second quarter.

Green emphasized that the solution lies not in complex play-calling but in understanding what works best for the players. "The biggest thing is trying to figure out what our players do well. It’s players, not plays," Green explained. He noted that the offensive line must also be given the best possible position to succeed, adding that rebuilding efforts cannot simply rely on throwing out the playbook.

The upcoming blaster drill, which took place Tuesday morning at the University of Maine, provided a concrete example of the team's work on ball security. Running backs and quarterbacks completed the exercise, each taking turns navigating a series of plastic arms designed specifically to disrupt ball carriers and force them to release the football. The drill serves as a practical application of the defensive concepts the team needs to implement.

While the Black Bears showed promise in that session—gathering a season-high 352 yards and setting up a season-best 234 yards through the air—they still face significant challenges. Junior Caden Drezek began the season as the starter at quarterback, sharing duties with sophomore Eddie Buehler before Drezek took over the full rotation. Despite the improved passing numbers, the team remains vulnerable to mistakes that could derail even strong drives.

"We can’t beat ourselves," Green acknowledged when pressed about the decision between Drezek and Buehler for the starting spot. "If we keep dropping the ball, getting fumbled, and making penalties in untimely places, we’ll lose games regardless of who starts at quarterback." His assessment underscores a critical truth: momentum depends heavily on execution at the line of scrimmage.

For Green, the transition to interim offensive coordinator represents both an opportunity and a test. Leaving behind a tenure at Cape Elizabeth and Portland, he now carries the responsibility of building a system capable of sustaining success. The path forward requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to prioritize fundamentals over flashy plays.

As the Black Bears prepare for their next matchup, the emphasis on ball security suggests a strategic shift. The goal is clear: reduce turnovers, improve completion percentages, and ensure that driving the ball downfield results in actual scoring opportunities rather than incomplete passes. Whether this approach yields immediate improvement or takes longer to bear fruit remains to be seen, but the message from Green is unequivocal—consistency in execution will determine whether the team can break through its recent slump and find its footing in the final stretch of the season.