Even though he considers the start of the Colonial Athletic Association schedule a fresh start for his team, University of Maine coach Jack Cosgrove wanted last Saturday’s 38-14 loss to Syracuse to continue to sting the Black Bears into this week.

Maine held a 14-7 lead over Syracuse early in the second quarter, then watched almost helplessly as the Orange scored 31 unanswered points to pull away.

“About the only thing we did well in the second half was punt the ball,” Cosgrove said. “It was very disappointing. I let our guys know it. We were in a much better position this year, having been in a similar spot last year, to respond in a positive way and we just didn’t do it.”

The Black Bears (1-2) kick off their conference schedule against William & Mary (6 p.m., Saturday, Alfond Stadium, TV: CW), a team that already dipped its toe in the CAA water with a 27-23 loss to UMass on Sept. 4.

“You have the opportunity to open your conference schedule, a breath of fresh air so to speak,” Cosgrove said. “We get to do it at home, against a great opponent in our league, a team we haven’t seen for a few years, but certainly one that we’ve had tremendous respect for over the years.”

Junior running back Jonathan Grimes leads the Tribe (2-1), who are averaging nearly 30 points per game. Cosgrove compared the 5-foot-10, 201-pound Grimes to Maine’s leading rusher, Jared Turcotte of Lewiston.

“There’s a similarity, I think,” he said. “They’re big kids. They’re very physical runners. They say how fast is Jared Turcotte, I say I haven’t seen anybody catch him. I think you would probably say the same from what I’ve seen of Jonathan Grimes. He’s got that explosive inner drive that when he’s being chased he runs faster than the guys that’s chasing him.”

While Cosgrove called Grimes a “huge cause for concern,” he said he was also impressed with senior QB Mike Callahan, who is completing 65 percent of his passes. Given the breakdowns in Maine’s secondary the last couple of weeks, Callahan could become a problem, too.

“They’re trying my patience, I promise you that, because they’re veteran guys that we’re counting on. It’s unacceptable,” Cosgrove said.

Senior cornerbacks Steven Barker and Dom Cusano and junior safeties Trevor Coston and Jerron McMillian have struggled since having a strong opener against Albany, giving up several big plays, including a Syracuse-record five passing touchdowns to Ryan Nassib last week

“It’s not something that you can live with because we had a couple of breakdowns the week before that we spoke to,” Cosgrove said. “Once again, (it’s) communication and just not playing the coverage the way it’s designed to be played and not being disciplined.”

Another concern for Maine is the health of its offensive line. Senior left guard Matt Barber, a three-year starter, left Saturday’s game with a right knee injury. Cosgrove said Monday that Barber was scheduled to undergo an MRI early in the week and the injury didn’t appear to be a season-ender.

Limington brothers Josh and Matt Spearin both missed the trip to Syracuse for what Cosgrove termed more precautionary reasons. Josh Spearin, the Black Bears’ starting left tackle, hurt his knee against Monmouth, while the reason Matt was left behind was undisclosed.

Junior quarterback Warren Smith, who left late in Saturday’s game after being slammed to the turf by a Syracuse pass-rusher, will be ready to go Saturday, Cosgrove said.