SMITHFIELD, R.I. — So much for a redshirt season.

Jamil Demby was one of three true freshmen to see their first action for the University of Maine football team Saturday. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder from Vineland, New Jersey, played the entire game at left tackle on a slightly revamped offensive line.

The results weren’t overwhelming. Maine produced just 277 yards in a 13-10 loss to Bryant. But Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove hopes it’s the start of a productive career for Demby.

“He had some struggles, but we expected that,” Cosgrove said. “Overall, I think he’s going to be a real good player for us.”

Demby replaced junior Benedict Wezel as the starter, and called his Maine debut “a humbling experience.”

There was a second-quarter holding penalty, and a barrage of blitzes in the second half, during which Maine failed to score. Quarterback Dan Collins was sacked four times.

“They started bringing a lot more people than we could block,” Demby said. “I feel like I held my own but definitely need to get better. I need to polish up my technique and become smarter as a player.”

In addition to Demby, true freshmen AJ Dawson at cornerback and Micah Wright at wide receiver took the field for the first time Saturday. Dawson got significant playing time and recorded one tackle. Wright was targeted twice but did not make a catch.

Demby found out Tuesday that he was going to get the start.

“My expectation coming in was just give the coaches what I’ve got and whatever happens, happens. I wasn’t expecting to start,” Demby said. “But I knew if I just worked my tail off and keep going at it, keep grinding, I should be good.”

Cornerback Najee Goode was suspended for the game for a violation of the university’s code of conduct.

In addition, defensive tackle Patrick Ricard suffered a knee injury in practice this week and did not make the trip. He is expected to return Saturday at Boston College. Safety Khari Al-Mateen, a senior defensive captain, did not start and split time with Patrick Pascal and Davonte Burke. It was part of a planned rotation at safety, Cosgrove said.

Maine sported a look not seen since the late 1980s. The Black Bears wore white jerseys with white pants, broken up by a blue vertical stripe down each side. The team hadn’t worn white on white in a quarter century. Given the result, it may be another quarter century until fans see that color scheme again.

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