ORONO

Ryan Stroud arrived at the University of Maine two years ago knowing he was in for the toughest test of his football-playing life.

The quarterback from Dover-Foxcroft remains resolute in his quest to earn playing time with the Black Bears.

“Playing at this level, it’s definitely a challenge,” the former Foxcroft Academy standout said during UMaine’s annual media day event on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.

Stroud, who had opportunities to play at the Division III and Division II levels, instead set his sights high.

“I felt like I could play DI, so I wanted to give it a try and I’m really glad I did,” said UMaine’s third-string quarterback. “I love being here, I love the guys, I love the challenge.”

Stroud, who is getting repetitions as the holder on conversion kicks, is one of only 12 Mainers on the 2012 roster.

That group includes starting senior offensive tackle Josh Spearin of Limington, sophomore fullback Carlton Charles of Windham, junior offensive linemen Doug Nash of Turner and Tyler Patterson of Owls Head, and sophomore defensive lineman Matt Pellerin of Turner.

Spearin, a three-year starter who came to Orono as a scholarship player out of Bonny Eagle High School, is happy to represent the state.

“I think everyone who plays from Maine has a lot of pride and they give it that extra effort that they want to really get out on the field and show that their home state has a lot of talent, too,” he said.

Other Mainers include redshirt freshman defensive end Trevor Bates of Westbrook and classmate Chris McCabe, a linebacker from Winslow, along with incoming freshmen, tight end Max Andrews of Holden, DL Joshua Ingalls of Wells and receiver Dylan Walton of Brunswick.

Mainers a minority

Former Maine high school performers continue to be a minority on a UMaine roster that includes 88 players.

“We have an expression, ‘build a fence around Maine,’ and we feel like we have, because that’s our starting point,” Black Bears head coach Jack Cosgrove said of recruiting. “It becomes our job as college coaches to really evaluate those guys and not just put them in a program, but put them in the program to succeed.”

UMaine features the state’s only Division I football program. Through the years, as the Black Bears have elevated themselves as a member of the prestigious Colonial Athletic Association, the recruiting base has continued to expand.

That has deepened UMaine’s talent pool, which in turn has made it increasingly difficult for in-state players to make the grade. It also has reduced the amount of scholarship dollars that is available to them. “It’s good to see the Maine guys getting a shot at the Division I level, too,” said Nash, who starred at Leavitt High School.

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