There is more than a hint of envy in Jack Cosgrove’s voice when he assesses the roster of the University of Maine’s homecoming opponent, No. 1 ranked and defending national champion Richmond.

“When you look at them two-deep on offense, two-deep on defense and in the punt/kick spots, that’s 48 spots, 44 of them have been redshirted. They came in, sat for a year and they got fed into the system the right way,” he said. “Of their 24 starters (including kicker and punter), 19 of them are fifth-year seniors. You know many of those guys we have starting for us? One.”

Injuries have forced Maine (3-3, 2-1 CAA) to throw a number of freshmen and sophomores into the fire in recent weeks. Things won’t get any hotter for them than Saturday (noon, CSNE) against an unbeaten Richmond team (5-0, 3-0) that isn’t just the most experienced team in the nation, but the most complete. 

Richmond has traditionally been a strong running team, and fifth-year senior Justin Forte (428 yards, two TDs) gives the Spiders that threat. But this year, the fourth-ranked offense in the CAA (29.2 ppg) revolves around fifth-year senior QB Eric Ward (66.2 percent completions, nine touchdowns, two interceptions).

“He’s the best quarterback that we’ll have seen to this point,” Cosgrove said. “He’s very efficient, not flashy. He has a very strong arm, very smart decision-maker. I’m very, very nervous about what he can do Saturday.”

Richmond’s line will also be the best Maine has seen so far this year, and that is where the contrast in experience is most glaring. The Spiders start four fifth-year seniors and a redshirt junior on their offensive line, three fifth-year seniors and a redshirt junior on the defensive line. The Black Bears’ offensive front starts three juniors, a sophomore and a redshirt freshman. The defensive line starts senior Jordan Stevens of Temple, two sophomores and a redshirt freshman.

Maine’s defense gave up 533 yards but still helped the Black Bears snap a three-game losing streak last week with a 16-14 win at Hofstra. Led again by sophomore linebacker Donte Dennis (two interceptions, fumble recovery), they forced five interceptions and two turnovers.

“We did what we had to do to win the game. I was really happy to see us finish the game the way we did,” Cosgrove said. “We made some plays in all parts of our operation — on special teams with a field goal and a punt late in the game, on offense with a key fourth down conversion, and most particularly, the defense with some key stops and a whole bunch of inspired play.”

QB Warren Smith (189 yards, 2 TDs, 82 yards rushing) had another excellent game, but the mistakes from the running backs continues to be a concern for Cosgrove.

“The remedy which we think we go through during the week is not showing on Saturdays,” he said. “We’ve already turned the ball over more this year than we did last year (12 last year, 15 already this year).”

Tailback Derek Session, Maine’s leading rusher this season, fumbled twice in seven carries against Hofstra. Cosgrove said fullback Jared Turcotte’s return from lower abdominal surgery remains up in the air, so, for the time being, at least, the solution will have to come from Session and/or fellow sophomore Roosevelt Boone. It can not, Cosgrove said, continue to come from Smith.

“If we continue to have to put it all on his shoulders, we’re not going to be as successful as we’d like to be,” he said, “and he’s going to take too much of a pounding.”

While linebacker Mark Masterson (ankle) remains sidelined, the defense should get a boost with linebacker Levi Ervin of Lisbon Falls and cornerback Dominic Cusano expected to return this week.