Orono, Maine -- Wide receiver Joe Gillette and tight end Cooper Heisey each earned Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention honors as announced by the Coastal Athletic Association on Wednesday morning's annual CAA Football Media Day.

The league also released the CAA Predicted Order of Finish which tabbed Maine 13th with 57 points according to a vote of the league's head coaches.

In 2023, Gillette led Maine in receiving yards (570) on 36 catches including five touchdown receptions. Gillette posted three consecutive 100-plus receiving yard performances a year ago against Richmond, Long Island University, and Campbell. In Maine's game with Richmond, Gillette tallied eight catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns. Heisey appeared in all 11 games for the Black Bears while notching career-highs in receptions (22), receiving yards (187) and touchdowns (3).

Maine returns six offensive starters and seven on the defensive side while welcoming in 11 transfers who look to have an immediate impact on the field.

The Black Bears will open the 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 30 when they host Colgate at 7 p.m. Season and single game tickets for the upcoming campaign are on sale now and can be purchased online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the Alfond Arena box office during regular hours of operation.
 

2024 CAA Predicted Order of Finish

1. Villanova (9 first-place votes)	217
2. Richmond (1 first-place vote)	189
3. UAlbany (3 first-place votes)	179
4. William & Mary	175
5. Delaware (3 first-place votes)	163
6. Elon	157
7. New Hampshire	150
8. Rhode Island	142
9. Towson	114
10. Monmouth	95
11. Campbell	83
12. Hampton	62
13. Maine	57
14. North Carolina A&T	49
15. Bryant	46
16. Stony Brook	42

CAA Football expands to 16 members in 2024 with the addition of Bryant University and looks to continue  its tradition of success. Four teams received berths in the FCS playoffs in 2023, which was tied for the  second-most of any conference. The CAA has had at least one team reach the quarterfinals every year since 1995 and has had at least one semifinalist 10 times over the past 11 years, with seven different  schools advancing to the final four. Twelve of the CAA's 16 members have participated in the FCS playoffs  since 2015, a feat unmatched by any other conference.  
 

-UMaine-