ORONO

If the University of Maine had played one of its Colonial Athletic Association opponents on Saturday, it might have been a long, disappointing opening night.

Instead, the revamped Black Bears overcame considerable inexperience at numerous positions by riding a stalwart defensive effort to a 10-6 victory over Norfolk State of the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference.

A total of 11 freshmen or second-year players saw their first game action for UMaine and several others filled starting roles for the first time.

“There’s room for improvement,” said quarterback Dan Collins, who made his first collegiate start. “We’ve got this bye week coming up. We’re going to improve a lot seeing film, correcting our errors.”

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s team returns to practice this week with an open date on the schedule, which will give UMaine two weeks to prepare for its Sept. 13 game at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.

The defense shouldered much of the load against Norfolk State.

Despite missing starting linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves (one-game suspension) and injured cornerback Axel Ofori, and after losing starting cornerback Sherrod Baltimore and end Mike Kozlakowski to injuries during the contest, the defense stood tall.

UMaine allowed only 100 total yards, 51 of which came during the first quarter.

“We had to fight real hard. Our defense really had to stand up at the end and make some plays,” Cosgrove said of the unit’s stand on the Spartans’ last possession. “They really bailed us out with some huge plays.”

Sophomore linebacker Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga was a force, racking up a game-leading 14 tackles. The contest also featured the emergence of some firsttime starters and contributors.

Senior linebacker Randy Samuels posted eight tackles, while linebacker Austin Brown (7), cornerback Najee Goode (4), linebacker Zach Hume (3) and corner Tayvon Hall — all redshirt freshmen — had solid debuts along with redshirt sophomore safety Davonte Burke (6).

UMaine’s front line was outstanding, with junior Trevor Bates of Westbrook (5 tackles, interception), senior Matt Wilson (5) and sophomores Darius Greene (4 tackles, sack) and Pat Ricard (3 tackles, sack) and Kozlakowski (3 tackles, sack) putting up a wall.

The offense was unspectacular, but did enough to help UMaine pull out a win.

Collins, operating behind a rebuilt line that included three new starters, completed eight of 20 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked three times, fumbled once on a mishandled snap and ran the ball 14 times for 25 yards.

Saturday also was characterized by a subpar effort from UMaine’s punt team, an area that is expected to be a strength this season.

Senior Jeff Ondish averaged 39.6 yards per kick, but the Bears were hampered by poor field position after punts of 26 and 36 yards in the first quarter.