IOWA CITY -- When Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz looks across the field Saturday at Maine, he will see some familiar faces.

After spending nine seasons as an assistant coach under Hayden Fry (1981-89) at Iowa, Ferentz left to take his first heading coaching job -- at Maine.

He led the Black Bears for three seasons, compiling a 12-21 overall mark, including a 6-5 record in his final season in 1992.

Ferentz's offensive coordinator all three seasons in Orono was Jack Cosgrove, who replaced Ferentz and has won 80 games in 16 seasons as the Black Bears' head coach.

"I have great respect for their program and obviously have a familarity with the program, and certainly it extends to the coaching aspect," Ferentz said.

"Jack is an outstanding coach. A former player (for Maine), he's just done a great, great job with the program over a long period of time."

Additionally, Black Bears assistant head coach Robb Smith served as a graduate assistant under Ferentz at Iowa from 1999-2001.

"I've never been wild about playing guys that I've worked with, and I've had plenty of opportunities to be involved in games like that since I've been back," Ferentz said. "It's kind of interesting, I guess. I've only worked at two schools outside of Iowa, and we're playing both of them this year."

The Hawkeyes play Sept. 20 at Pittsburgh, where Ferentz served as a graduate assistant in 1980.

Ferentz left Maine following the 1992 season to become offensive line coach with the Cleveland Browns, where he stayed until landing at Iowa in 1999.

HAWKS READY TO GO " After a disappointing finish to the 2007 season, Iowa's players are ready to wipe the slate clean.

"Nobody could ever be happy with an ending like that," backup quarterback Rick Stanzi said. "To say we were amply disappointed in last year … yes we were."

And, they won't be overlooking Maine.

"As soon as you get comfortable, all you have to do is look at Michigan's first game last year against Appalachian State," linebacker AJ. Edds said. "That is basically all the evidence you need to see that on any given day anybody can beat anybody they play."

CAPTAINS " Mitch King (defense), Matt Kroul (defense), Rob Bruggeman (offense) and Gavin McGrath (special teams) were named captains for Saturday's game.

WASHINGTON CONNECTION " Three former Cedar Rapids Washington players " all walk-on athletes " are expected to make contributions against the Black Bears. Bruggeman beat out two-year starter Rafael Eubanks to earn the starting nod at center, while Paki O'Meari (running back) and McGrath (special teams) are expected to play extensively.

THE BLACK BEARS " Maine plays in the Colonial Athletic Association, which outside of the Missouri Valley Conference is probably the toughest Football Championship Subdivision league.

The Black Bears, coming off a 4-7 season, were picked to finish fourth in the CAA North Division behind Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Hofstra. Richmond, James Madison and Delaware were picked 1-2-3 in the South Division.

HONORARY CAPTAIN " Former all-American Randy Duncan, who led Iowa to Big Ten and Rose Bowl championships in 1956 and 1958, was selected as honorary captain for Saturday's game.

A three-year letterman (1956-58), Duncan was the Big Ten and Iowa's Most Valuable Player in 1958. That 1958 team won the Grantland Rice Award as the nation's top team. Duncan was a consensus all-American in 1958 and finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Duncan was the first player picked in the 1959 NFL draft. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers. He never played in the NFL, instead opting for the Canadian Football League and later the old American Football League.

The 1958 team is holding a team reunion this weekend.

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com