Few people within at least a three-hour drive of Orono, least of all head coach Jack Cosgrove, want to see the University of Maine football team repeat its performance in last year’s season-opener against Albany when the Black Bears open the 2011 schedule against another Northeast Conference school, Bryant (5 p.m., Saturday, Alfond Stadium).

The great expectations Maine had heading into last season began to fade in a 3-0 loss at home. The defense played well but the offense sputtered. Warren Smith started at quarterback, struggled, and was replaced at halftime by Chris Treister. Lewiston’s Jared Turcotte gained 107 total yards, but was injured and could only watch as Maine’s listless offense failed to get on the scoreboard.

Cosgrove called the Black Bears’ performance among the most disappointing he’s experienced in his career. The loss set the tone for Maine’s season, which ended with a 4-7 record.

Asked if he was doing something to make sure his team didn’t come out flat again this Saturday, Cosgrove said he hasn’t had to take the initiative.

“Our team is doing something about it,” he said. “As coaches, you always worry about the (team’s) state of mind. I think last year we were a little full of ourselves going into that game, and it’s been addressed throughout the course of last year and the off-season. We have a very focused group of guys.”

Cosgrove, entering his 19th year at the helm, said the team developed its focus during a preseason in which looking ahead to the regular season was a no-no.

“It was really supported by our senior class. I’m excited to see them embrace that leadership role,” said Cosgrove, whose team was picked to finish ninth in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason poll. “We’ve got 18-strong in the class. That’s a good sized class for us. Sixteen are fifth-year seniors, so that’s a real solid nucleus. They’re the ones that are taking charge of the state of mind.”

Bryant finished 7-4 last year and was picked to finish fifth in the NEC’s preseason poll. The Bulldogs are in their fourth year competing at the Division I level and return 15 starters, including all-conference junior tailback Jordan Brown.

If the Black Bears are looking ahead on their schedule, they will see a Week 2 matchup at Big East mainstay Pittsburgh, a revenge match with Albany and a tilt with FCS national championship runner-up Delaware to open their CAA schedule in the next month.

But if anything is going to keep the Black Bears focused on Bryant, it may be the Bulldogs’ defense, Cosgrove said.

“They’re very aggressive on defense,” he said. “We expect to see a lot of blitz, a lot of man coverage. They take a number of risks on defense and we’ve got to be on our toes.”