Hobart (9-2, 3-1 UCAA in 2000)
The Hobart Statesmen are coming off their second UCAA Championship, their first NCAA playoff appearance, and their first NCAA playoff victory (25-0 against Bridgewater State). Will the Statesmen be able to improve on last season’s 9-2 overall record? Only time will tell, but here’s a position-by-position preseason breakdown:

The Statesmen will need to replace two-year starter Dan Birdsall ’01 under center. The southpaw broke or matched 16 regular season and postseason school records. The heir apparent is sophomore Craig Swanson.

The Jamestown, N.Y., native showed impressive poise and leadership in four games last season, throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-27 passing. A classic drop-back passer, he has a 6-4, 225-pound frame, a quick release, and the potential to be the Statesmen’s starter for the next three seasons.

Swanson’s primary competition will be senior Pat Haggerty. He’s an athletic and mobile quarterback. It’s that athleticism that will force the coaching staff to find a spot for him on the field, if not at quarterback, then possibly at wide receiver and on special teams.

Returnees senior Matt McMahon and sophomores Brian Goehle and Justin Morrison could also figure into the mix should either Swanson or Haggerty falter.

Perhaps the biggest shoes to fill on the offensive side of the ball will be those of three-year starting tailback Keith Brandon ’01. The two-time All-ECAC and three-time All-UCAA selection accounted for more than 4,400 all-purpose yards and 48 touchdowns during his career, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and 10.8 yards per reception. Brandon’s backup, Travis Widrick ’01 averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his career, but he too has graduated.

Junior Jerome Brown and a committee of untested players are expected to tackle the daunting task of filling that void. Brown has had just 10 carries in each of the past two seasons, but he’s averaged 4.2 yards per rush. He has excellent speed and sees holes even before they open, the question is, can his 5-9, 175-pound body stand the wear-and-tear of 30 carries per game?

Sophomore Ricky Spidalieri and first-years Ty Godinho and Brandon Thurman are expected to earn time spelling Brown. Spidalieri spent his first season on the scout squad. Thurman comes to Geneva with a pair of Section V Class AA Championships to his credit. The Webster High School grad also ran track for the Warriors. Godinho is a durable back, who earned first-team All-Western New York honors for Lancaster High School.

Hobart also will feature a new starter at fullback. Kris Smith ’01, a two-year starter, was an unheralded, but invaluable blocker. Seniors Jeff Jordan and Rob Sutphen, a converted quarterback, boast the most playing experience and figure to get the first shot at the starting nod. The Statesmen also return untested players in junior Bryan Good and sophomore Carlvin Johnson. With first-years John Gordon and J.D. White chomping at the bit, the coaching staff may go with a fullback by committee approach, until one or two players distinguish themselves.

The Statesmen graduated all of their starting skills players with the exception of tight end. Juniors Jeremy Archer (3 rec., 45 yds.) and Ryan Adams (2 rec., 20 yds.) return to anchor this spot. Archer is the returning “starter,” but the two are interchangeable, splitting time 50-50 last season. Offensive Coordinator Declan Walsh will take advantage of their veteran status this season by using more two tight end sets and inserting more passing plays designed for them.

Sophomore Tony Perillo made steady progress last season and will once again serve as Archer and Adams understudy this season.

With all four wide receivers gone from last season’s depth chart one thing is certain, there will be some new faces on the receiving end of Hobart’s passes. Tim Coleman, Jermaine Patterson, Joe Pirozzolo, and Matt Spindler-Virgin are penciled in to replace Jamie Breslin ’01, Doug Jordan ’01, Andy Pirozzolo ’01, and Scott Yoder ’01.

At 6-3, Coleman is the biggest target the Hobart quarterback will be able to look for. He’s a steady possession receiver out of the mold of Yoder, who graduated with the school record for most consecutive games with a reception (28).

Patterson is the fastest player on the roster and will be the team’s primary deep threat. As he gains experience and maturity, he could develop into one of the most accomplished receivers to graduate from Hobart.

Pirozzolo possesses all of the tools that made his brother, Andy (66 rec., 1,243 yds.), a successful Statesmen. Based on his progress in the preseason, the coaching staff anticipated “Little Pizz” seeing playing time in 2000, but a shoulder injury held him out of action the entire season. Fully recovered from that injury, he’s expected to pick up where he left off last year.

Spindler-Virgin is a solid, blue-collar player. He doesn’t wow coaches with spectacular catches or tremendous speed, but he’s a steady player with unparalleled dedication.

Senior Shane Knowles and sophomore Mike McGrath, as well as a talented crops of rookie receivers, will give Hobart added depth to this untested, but talented group.

While all of the pieces for a strong offense are there, the offensive line is one place where the coaching staff won’t need to spend a lot of time trying to put them together. The Statesmen return six starters from last season. If the offense is going to continue to improve as it has over the past five seasons, the offensive line will be leading the way, both literally and figuratively.

All-UCAA linemen junior tackle Nate Milne and junior guard Adam Tumilowicz will be charged with protecting the left side, the quarterback’s blind side. Both players combine size and speed to effectively create a hole for the running game, or make an impenetrable wall for the aerial assault.

Patrick Nozdrovicky, who earned spot starts last season, will take over the starting center job following the graduation of Ed Liebowitz. A rugged and consistent lineman, Nozdrovicky should make a smooth transition from guard.

Senior co-captain Ricky Lopez will have double duties on the line. Last season’s starting right guard will return to that role and also serve as the backup center. Tipping the scales at 300 pounds, Lopez will be a difficult assignment for an opponent.

Seniors Phil Guarino and Kevin Haggerty will compete for the right tackle job. Guarino was on his way to an All-Star caliber season when he was injured and lost for the season against Franklin & Marshall. A hard-nosed, dedicated worker, Haggerty is also capable of an All-Star season.

Sophomore Matt Kehoe, a converted tight end, will serve as a backup guard, while juniors Phil Baker, Kevin Kubera, and Carl Morgan are capable reserve tackles.

Last season the Hobart defense terrorized opponents, allowing just eight touchdowns in nine regular season games. The Statesmen broke the NCAA record for lowest pass completion percentage allowed, while ranking among the best in the nation in pass efficiency defense (1st), scoring defense (6th), and total defense (13th).

That unit returns six starters, plus a pair of spot starters, and could prove just as devastating in 2001. Here’s how the defense shapes up by position:

Hobart will miss two-time UCAA Defensive Player of the Year Rob Gould, the school’s career leader in tackles for a loss (59 for minus 257 yards), but the Statesmen return two experienced ends to fill that void. Juniors Matt Daley and Chris Hanly were both starters last season.

Daley, who played out of position at outside linebacker last year, ranked 16th in the nation in fumbles (forced and recovered), 31st in sacks and 41st in tackles for a loss, leading the team with 10½ sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. An exceptional athlete, he should be considered a favorite for postseason honors following All-UCAA honorable mention in 2000.

Hanly started on the weak side opposite Gould last season and recorded 45 tackles and 3½ sacks. A quick and athletic player, he notched his first career interception against Ithaca.

Lawrence Moultrie is expected to backup Hanly and Gould. A power rusher, he made great strides last season and has proven to be a diligent worker in the off-season. Chris Purtell, a first-year out of Sordinia, N.Y., also could make an impact this season. He wowed the coaching staff with a blistering 4.6 in the 40 during preseason testing.

At tackle, the Statesmen will need to replace the more than 200 career tackles of Rich Barlette, a 2000 first-team All-UCAA selection. Stepping into Barlette’s shoes will be the team’s top returning tackler, junior Brad Griffith. Griffith registered 65 tackles last season, including 12 for a loss and three sacks.

Battling for the other starting spot on the line will be senior Will Kamery and sophomore Ally Mosiello. Mosiello, who stands 6-1 and has a 60-pound advantage over Kamery, has the inside track. He has surprising speed for his size and performed well in five games last season. Kamery boasts more experience and will return to his role as the starting long snapper.

Rookies Jeff Bruckman (Churchville, N.Y.) and Avery Dove (Buffalo, N.Y.) could also figure into the equation. Bruckman is a 6-5, 225-pound speed rusher, while Dove can plug the line by himself at 6-0, 250 pounds.

Juniors Tim Booth and Jesse Aquilino will return to their starting roles as the strong and weak side outside linebackers. Booth enjoyed an exceptional sophomore campaign, ranking 16th in the nation in passes defensed and 22nd in interceptions. An honorable mention D3football.com All-American, he led Hobart with 19 passes defensed and six interceptions. A first-team preseason All-American, Booth combines speed, strength, and instincts to be seemingly everywhere at once. Aquilino, fully recovered from a wrist injury that hampered his effectiveness last season, should return to the form that earned him All-UCAA honors as a sophomore (51 tackles, 7 sacks).

Senior Matt Amodeo will be the top backup and will also serve as a leader on special teams. Juniors Brian Bubna and Frank Vaeth and sophomore Karl Dugal give the position added depth.

At inside linebacker, senior co-captain Everton McLean returns to patrol the strong side, while sophomore David Szentesy will man the weak side, replacing graduated starter Mike Amodeo. McLean finished last season fourth on the team in tackles with 58, including 10 for a loss. A strong leader, he will be the heart of the defense this season. Szentesy got a taste of the pressures facing a starter last season, filling in for McLean who missed two games due to injury. Szentesy, who led all first-years in tackles, thrived in the role, recording a total of 18 tackles against Rochester (8) and Union (10).

First-years Terry Gilmore (Hilton, N.Y.) and Rob Valenti (Youngstown, N.Y.) have the talent and work ethic to contribute right away, while senior Rob Nelson and sophomore Mike Rousell will provide depth.

The secondary will be without the services of 1999 Hewlett-Packard All-American and 2000 Aztec Bowl participant Eric Newsome. The free safety graduated with the school record for most interception return yards (333), while ranking third on the all-time interceptions list with 19.

Senior Peter Beatrice and sophomore Patrick Lester return with the most experience. Beatrice will start at the weak side cornerback, a role he filled off and on in 2000 depending on the health of Mark Rendell ’01. Beatrice finished the season with 34 tackles and two interceptions. Lester filled in at cornerback and free safety last season, and should inherit Newsome’s vacant free safety job. He was twice named the UCAA Rookie of the Week last season, following strong games against Franklin & Marshall and Alfred.

The strong side cornerback job is up for grabs. Senior Matt Dyson and sophomore Brent Stack have maturity on their side, but rookies Skip Grantling (Clyde, N.Y.) and David Taylor (Nyack, N.Y.) will push hard for playing time. Both Grantling and Taylor are burners capable of covering a lot of ground in a short time, allowing them to recover from the mistakes expected of young players.

Geneva High School graduates Art Garcia (cornerback) and Scott Ditzell (free safety) also will be in the hunt for playing time.

Senior Rob Crisafulli returns as the starting place kicker and punter. Despite a strong and accurate foot, he’s suffered through bouts of inconsistency. He’s scored 69 career points, including a pair of 37-yard field goals, a career-long. As a punter, Crisafulli landed a career-high 14 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line last season.

Classmate Mike Kenney and a pair of freshmen — Eric Ampuja and C.J. Coy — will battle for some of his duties. The depth may allow the coaching staff to split up the duties, allowing one player to handle punts, another extra points, another field goals, and another kickoffs.

Coy and Ampuja both boast strong legs. Coy’s career long field goal in high school was a 54-yarder, one longer than the current Hobart record set by Rusty Hawley in 1977.

Pat Lester is the only returning player to return a punt or kick last season. He had just three punt returns with his longest going for 8 yards. Also, Joe Pirozzolo, Skip Grantling, and David Taylor all have solid hands and the speed to return kicks this season.

RPI (3-6, 1-3 UCAA in 2000)
With a disappointing 2000 season behind them, the Engineers look to regain their winning ways using a balanced attack — both offensively and defensively. Thirteenth-year head coach Joe King has 13 starters returning, including the bulk of the defensive line, as he tries for the eleventh winning season in his Rensselaer tenure.

Offensively, RPI has some holes to fill, especially at the skill positions. Last season the Engineers used a two-quarterback system with Sean O'Bryan and Jason Lewis. However, both of those players have departed so the offense will have to rely on a pair of sophomores. Sophomores Dan Cole (Albany, N.Y./Bishop Maginn) and Flynn Cochran (Kent, Wash./Kent-Meridian), neither of whom saw any varsity action last season, will battle for the starting position. Cole played on the junior varsity while Cochran, an All-UCAA defensive back as a freshman, has been on a religious retreat for the past two years.

In addition to the departures of O'Bryan and Lewis, RPI also lost its leading rusher from the past two seasons in Scott Allard. Senior Wayne Evans (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), who has played a variety of roles out of the backfield in his first three years, is expected to carry the load at tailback while fourth-year starter Joe Prymas (Vernon, N.Y./V-V-S) will continue to lead the way from his fullback position. Evans ranked second on the team with 356 rushing yards and Prymas was third with 319. Junior Brian Neglia (West Islip, N.Y./St. Anthony's) will spell Evans and Prymas, respectively.

While Richard Mokay, a two-year starter, has graduated, the Engineers remain deep at wide receiver. Captain Evan Cochran (Kent, WA/Kent-Meridian), a starter who led RPI in receiving yards with 419 in 2000, brings his athleticism back to '86 Field as does several key reserves from a season ago. Senior Kevin Siska (Alden, N.Y./Alden), who averaged 26.0 yards per catch, Joe Gomez (Albany, N.Y./Albany Academy) and Mike Dodge (Smethport, PA/Smethport) will battle for the other starting position. Dodge missed all of last year with an injury. Senior Tom Wallace (Sandy Creek, N.Y./Sandy Creek), who had one catch for 14 yards as a junior, will replace multiple All-UCAA performer Brian Moran as the starting tight end. Junior Ryan McGough (Gansevoort, N.Y./South Glens Falls) should see plenty of action as the key reserve at that position.

The offensive line, traditionally one of Rensselaer's strongest positions, returns three starters as well as two players who missed last season with injuries. Seniors Mike Bukowski (Erieville, N.Y./Cazenovia), Tom Cuomo (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown Heights) and Lou Gerlock (Shortsville, N.Y./Red Jacket) all return for their second seasons as starters while Nate Doyle (Hudson Falls, N.Y./Hudson Falls), who started as a sophomore, and captain Kevin Solli (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire), both of whom are juniors, come back healthy. Bukowski (6-5, 260 pounds), Gerlock (6-4, 268 pounds), Doyle (6-3, 276 pounds) and senior Ken Taylor (Danvers, Mass./St. John's Prep), who is 6-3, 269 pounds, will use their size to open holes while Cuomo (6-0, 257 pounds) and Solli (5-11, 238 pounds) will rely on their quickness to be effective. Junior Mike Wells (Broadalbin, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) and sophomore Alex Keel (New Woodstock, N.Y./Cazenovia), join Taylor as the primary offensive linemen off the bench. Last season the O-line helped the Engineers average 306 yards per game in total offense.

Among those returning on the other side of the line of scrimmage are six starters. The defensive line is full of veterans, including four-year varsity performers John Menjik (Central Square, N.Y./P.V. Moore), who led the down linemen in tackles (54), and Ed Petkovsek (Dolgeville, N.Y./Dolgeville), a captain. In addition, senior Micah Suggs (Schenectady, N.Y./Schenectady), the team's leading tackler from a year ago (66). returns. Tim Westcott (West Monroe, N.Y./P.V. Moore) and Jeff Hensel (New Hartford, N.Y./New Hartford), each of whom started a handful of games last year, also return. Also expected to see action in the trenches are a pair of upperclassmen in senior Tom Fassell (Adams, Mass./Hoosac Valley) and junior Donn Ponn (Lincoln, Mass./Lincoln Sudbury).

The linebacking corp will miss Adam Woollacott, a captain who graduated, but captain Marc Blevins (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy), a second-year starter who's a big hitter, and Mike Pawloski (Broadalbin, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) should help fill the void in their starting roles. A threesome of talented sophomores — Greg Giadone, (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) Joe Longo (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster) and Chris Pierz (Oneida, N.Y./Oneida) — will also be fighting for time on the field.

The defensive backfield is without three starters from a year ago, including All-American Chris Swartz. However, senior captain Chris Speck (Lake George, N.Y./Lake George), a hard-hitting free safety who was third on the Engineers with 56 tackles, anchors a deep secondary. Senior Tom Heusinger (Lackawanna, N.Y./St. Francis) and junior Justin Winter (Babylon, N.Y./Babylon), both of whom played extensively as reserves last season, return. Providing depth for King's defensive backfield will be four juniors from the Capital District: Duane Hilmar (Schenectady, N.Y./Mohanasen), Jim Sears (South Glens Falls, N.Y./South Glens Falls), Tony Spackman (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga) and J.R. Williams (Troy, N.Y./Lansingburgh). Sophomores Mike Defilippi (Smethport, Pa./Smethport) and Jai Echols (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran) will also vie for playing time in the secondary.

For the first time in four years, the Engineers will have a new placekicker. Sophomore Matt Verenini (Averill Park, N.Y./Averill Park) takes over for Eric Byrne, one of the top kickers in RPI history, who graduated. Sophomore Chris Comisky (Gansevoort, N.Y./South Glens Falls), an All-UCAA performer after averaging 36.2 yards per kick last year, returns to punt. Swartz, a First Team All-League return specialist, must be replaced, roles likely to be filled by Evans, Evan Cochran and Sears.

St. Lawrence (1-9, 0-4 UCAA in 2000)
The 2001 season welcomes five new coaches, including head coach Chris Phelps '91, a recruiting class of 45, a state-of-the-art fitness center and high hopes for a team that featured 60 underclassmen, 31 sophomores and 29 freshmen, last season. That means the Saints return 15 starters from last year’s squad, nine on defense and six on offense, bringing invaluable game experience into the new season.

St. Lawrence once again stares at a very tough schedule for the 2001 season. Over half of the teams on the Saints’ slate have qualified for postseason play in the last two seasons.

"We have one of the tougher conference and non-conference schedules in the Northeast," said Phelps. "There’s not one team on our schedule that we can have a letdown against and expect to win. We’re going to have to be focused week in and week out."

Opening opponent Union is one of those playoff teams, going 9-1 in the regular season and earning a berth in the NCAA Playoffs. The Saints follow up the home opener by traveling to Alfred in week two and Rochester in week three. Hobart serves as the Family Weekend opponent the following week before the Saints hit the road again for a game at St. John Fisher. Ithaca visits Canton the next week and the Saints go calling on Norwich in week seven. A three-game homestand against Gettysburg, Rensselaer and Hartwick closes out the 2001 regular season for St. Lawrence.

The Saints return six players to the offense, including junior running back Howard Alexander, the team’s leading rusher in 2000. Missing from this year’s lineup will be receivers Ryan Audet and Dean Cirilla, along with three-year starter Matt Magrone on the line and David Perfield at fullback. Phelps, who will act as the offensive coordinator, plans on running a multiple formation offense. "The consistency of the offensive line and production from the quarterback position will dictate how well we will do offensively," said Phelps.

On the offensive line, four of five starters return. The offensive line corps suffered in the late season due to injury and looks to have more depth in 2001. Jared Bongo, a junior, returns to center where he has played every snap for the Saints in the past two seasons. A two-year starter, Bongo will be a strong anchor-point for the line. Sophomore Pat Sullivan returns at right guard while the graduation of Magrone leaves the left guard position open. A trio of juniors, Matt Bertholf, John Kane and Nick Ormasen, are the front-runners for the tackle positions.

The Saints will need to find consistency in the quarterback position. Preseason starter Justin Wright went down in the first quarter of the opener last season and three different players stepped in from there. The only quarterback returning from the trio is sophomore Scott Wiley, who completed 35 of 75 passes last season with five interceptions in nine games. "We have three quality freshman quarterbacks, Jonathan Blumhagen, Bret Conrad and Randall Pifer, coming into camp this season," said Phelps. "With the return of Wiley, plus those three, there will be a lot of competition for the QB position when camp opens."

Alexander highlights the running backs returning to the team. The junior tailback led the Saints with 653 yards and 172 carries in 2000, including a 46-carry, 196-yard effort in a 14-6 win against Gettysburg. His lead blocker, sophomore fullback Bren Hayes, will be back as well. Junior Stephan Triendl, the Saints’ leading rusher in 1999, returns as well. Freshman Matthew Vahue is a talented runner from Canandaigua, N.Y., who played in the Eddie Meath game, an exhibition for all-stars in the Rochester area.

Sophomore Tim Gavin, 14 catches for 220 yards, is the top returnee at receiver. 1999 UCAA Rookie of the Year Chris Sargent, a junior, should make an immediate impact at receiver for the Saints. Sargent caught 42 passes for 390 yards and three TD’s in 1999. Gary Gaines, Utica, N.Y., highlights a talented crop of freshman receivers, adding talent and depth to the position.

"Alexander was a productive runner for us last season and Triendl has very good athletic ability at running back. The return of Sargent is exciting as well. He is a guy that has the potential to make some big plays for us this season," said Phelps.

Assistant coach Guido Falbo will act as the defensive coordinator this season, and will employ a multiple look defensive set. The defense returns nine players, including senior captains T.J. Kelley at nose tackle and Matt Wightman at safety. Kelley finished with 50 tackles last season, nine for loss, and 1½ sacks. Wightman led the team in tackles for the second consecutive season, making 101 stops, 61 unassisted. Other players will need to make adjustments from their natural positions as the Saints will employ multiple looks on defense.

"Kelley and Wightman will be good leaders on defense for us," said Phelps. "Our goal is to put our hardest working, most athletic players on defense. We will attempt to find a way to put the best 11 players on the field."

Mark Van Dien was an All-UCAA second-team selection as a sophomore last year, leading the team with three interceptions, and was second to Wightman with 93 tackles from his free safety position. He also led the Saints with seven pass breakups.

On the defensive front, St. Lawrence will need to fill the void left by the graduation of Brian Doherty at defensive end. Matt Sexton, a junior, saw some playing time there last season, making 10 tackles in seven games. At defensive tackle is Brandon Franklin, who had a solid season as a freshman last year, tying for the team lead with nine tackles for loss, to go along with 43 tackles and two sacks.

A young linebacking corps returns with a full season of college play under their belt. Junior Frank Civitella is the most experienced and had an impressive offseason after finishing fifth on the team with 60 tackles. A pair of sophomores, Will Horn and Mike Chambers, took little time in making their presence felt on the field last season. Chambers was third on the team with 86 tackles, five of which resulted in negative yardage. Horn made 59 stops in his rookie campaign.

The secondary is the most experienced part of the defense with seniors Wightman and Jonathan Dupont returning and All-UCAA selection Van Dien back. Dupont, who plays baseball in the spring, made 22 stops last year and had two picks as well.

Gio Guzman, a sophomore defensive lineman, and Jason Gross, a senior defensive back, both showed steady improvement during spring workouts and should have an impact this fall.

Junior Ben Clark has an explosive leg, and with more consistency, can be one of the top punters in the UCAA. He averaged 37.1 yards on 10 kicks last year, planting two inside the 20-yard line. Freshman Nicholas Thayer, Corfu, N.Y., has a good, strong leg and will add some needed depth to the kicking game.

The freshman class, made up of a precamp roster of 44 players, should have a significant impact on the field this season. "Not only is the recruiting class good in size and number," said Phelps. "But, it draws from the best players in the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey, and the New England area, as well as Maryland."

Athleticism is also present in the class with several talented two-sport athletes dotting the roster. Vahue, defensive back Austin Weakfall, Rochester, N.Y., defensive lineman Brendan Dooley, Carthage, N.Y., and wide receiver/defensive back Brian Dunn, Lowville, N.Y., are all lacrosse players as well as standouts on the football field. Matthew Gulley from Brookline, Mass., is a talented linebacker along with Eddie Meath Game participants defensive lineman Kurt Salomon, Palmyra, N.Y., and linebacker Matthew Jones, Victor, N.Y.

Although St. Lawrence again fields a young team, it is a team that has valuable game experience. Only five seniors were lost to graduation last year, meaning sophomores and freshmen saw significant playing time in 2000, giving them the game experience of juniors and seniors.

"A lot of the younger guys have been under the fire already," said Phelps. "They create a great foundation and we hope that we can build on that foundation. The enthusiasm and excitement that surround St. Lawrence athletics and football is at a feverish pitch. The players and coaching staff have prepared diligently for the upcoming season, and we’re looking forward to the challenges that come with it."

Union (9-2, 3-1 UCAA in 2000)
This could be a very special season for the Union football team. There are 18 seniors among the 42 letterwinners who return from last year's 9-2 NCAA team. Defensively, six of the eight starters back from last season are seniors. A total of 21 Dutchmen defenders earned a varsity letter. Offensively, five of the nine returning seniors were starters in 2000, while three others were listed second on the depth chart. A total of 20 offensive players earned a letter last year. On special teams, senior placekicker Andrew Ruffo is coming off a record-setting year.

The Class of 2002 comes into its final campaign with an overall record of 24-7 and has been to postseason both of the last two years, winning the ECAC Northeast championship in 1999. While this could be the most experienced and best-balanced team in the last 19 years, it will also be the last chance for the senior class to make its mark among the elite in Union's football history.

"We have a lot of high expectations this year, no doubt about it," said head coach John Audino, now in his 10th season. "This group of seniors has taken a positive step forward in each of their previous three seasons, and this year they are looking to be remembered among the best in the history of Union football."

As freshmen, the Class of 2002 finished with a 6-3 record before winning nine of 11 games and the ECAC crown as sophomores. Last year a one-point loss to Hobart kept them from boasting the seventh perfect regular-season record in Union's history (and the second team to finish at 10-0-0). While the squad did qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995, the Garnet failed to win its opening-round game and ended the year with a record of 9-2.

While last season ended with the disappointing loss to Widener in a game that saw the Pioneers jump out to a 26-0 lead, this season opens with a great deal of very big expectations.

Senior quarterback Ben Gilbert (Brattleboro, Vt.) comes off a record-setting 2000 campaign in which he threw for a Union record 24 touchdown passes and tied the College record with four touchdowns passes in a game (which he did twice). Gilbert, who was the UCAA and ECAC "Rookie of the Year" in 1998, and was voted the UCAA "Offensive Player of the Year" last season after completing 168 of 298 passes (56.4%) for 2,212 yards and the 24 TD tosses.

Now in his fourth year as a starter, Gilbert has completed 454 passes (second all-time to Brett Russ' 648) of 799 attempts (third to Russ' 1,138 and Dan Stewart's 835), for 5,871 yards (second to Russ' 7,452) and 48 touchdowns (third to Stewart's 55 and Russ' 52). His 24-7 career record puts him third behind Russ (36-5) and Stewart (31-9-1), while he already owns Union records for single-season touchdown passes (24 set last year, breaking Russ's 1989 standard of 23), consecutive completions in a game (17) and consecutive completions in two games (19).

While Gilbert's star shines brightly, the Dutchmen by no means rely solely on his talents. Union's running game features second-year starting tailback, junior George Beebe (Salem, N.Y.), senior tailback Jasper Mills (Hamden, Conn.), and four-year starting fullback Matt Laporta (Rensselaer, N.Y.). In his first year as a starter, Beebe rushed for 1,238 yards and set the College's single-season record with his 11 touchdowns (while averaging 6.3 yards a carry). He set Union records for yards in a game (272) and longest run from scrimmage (96) last year against a homestanding Rochester defense that was allowing the opposition less than 100 yards a game.

In a season and a half, Beebe has rushed for 1,726 yards and 16 ouchdowns. Mills, who led the Dutchmen in rushing during his first two years as a starter, has 1,359 career yards with 15 touchdowns and a per-carry average of 4.0. Laporta, meanwhile, has started 30 of 31 games in his career and is an outstanding blocker as well as a threat to run (a per-carry average of 4.8 with five touchdowns), as well as catch (41 receptions for 445 yards and four touchdowns) the ball.

The Dutchmen's backfield will operate behind an offensive line that returns all five of its starters from last year and helped Union average 414 yards and 31.9 points. Senior right guard Mike Visconti (6-2, 275; Marion, Mass.) has started all 31 games of his brilliant career and has been named to the UCAA All-Conference First Team each of the last two years while capturing ECAC Upstate New York First-Team honors last season. Senior right tackle Justin Forrester (6-6, 270; Rochester, N.Y.) was a first team UCAA and ECAC selection last season, while junior center Alan Fiore (6-0, 250; Staten Island, N.Y.), junior left tackle A.J. Bodden (6-2, 270; Scotia, N.Y.) and junior left guard Chris Lalonde (6-4, 290; Queensbury, N.Y.) return to starting positions.

While the Dutchmen will be hard pressed to replace their leading receiver of the last two years, Bryan Slekes (48 catches for 722 yards and a school-record 12 touchdowns last season), they will return junior Ryan Gallo (Troy, N.Y.); who had 22 receptions for 244 yards and a touchdown; Laporta (18 receptions for 158 yards and three scores), and senior Craig Kopka (Auburn, Mass.), 16 catches for 160 yards. Union will also need to replace graduated tight ends Dan Bamford (27 receptions for 325 yards and a touchdown) and Rob Krickovich (15 catches for 204 yards and four TDs). Both players will also be missed for their blocking skills.

Senior placekicker Andrew Ruffo (Conklin, N.Y.) was named to the UCAA and ECAC First Team after converting 16 of 23 field goals and 39 of 40 PATs in 2000. He comes into the year having converted 27 of 45 field goals and 67 of 68 PATs. Ruffo has led the Dutchmen in scoring each of the last two years, with 52 and 87 points, respectively.

While offense puts fans in the stands, it is defense that wins games and Union, which returns four of its top five tacklers from 2000, once again has an excellent unit.

The Dutchmen's M&R linebacking duo of seniors Mike Ranfone (Branford, Conn.) and Mike Rosenthal (Walpole, Mass.) finished one-two on last year's tackle chart with 87 and 73 total tackles, respectively. Rosenthal, a three-year letterwinner and starter the past two years, comes into his final campaign with 195 total tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, 29 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks, two interceptions and two touchdown returns. He was named to the UCAA All-Conference First Team each of the last two years.

Ranfone, meanwhile, earned a letter as a backup during his sophomore campaign and took full advantage of his opportunity last season. Besides his 87 tackles, Ranfone had three sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery to go along with six tackles for loss. He was also named to the UCAA First Team.

Senior defensive end Josh Stinehour (Rochester, N.Y.) was another Dutchman who took advantage of his opportunity to start. Stinehour, a backup linebacker as a sophomore, finished third on the tackle chart with 66 and led the Dutchmen with 13 sacks (for 88 yards) and nine tackles for loss (for 39 yards) with four forced fumbles and a recovery. His efforts earned him UCAA First Team honors as well as an ECAC Upstate New York Second Team selection. Senior defensive back Radney Wood (Newport, N.Y.), a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter, was a First Team selection for the ECAC and the UCAA after finishing with 52 tackles, seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections (both team highs). He was also the UCAA's second-team punt returner as he finished with 206 yards on 29 returns.

Up front the Dutchmen return tackles, junior Justin Sievert (New Paltz, N.Y.) and senior Anthony Linter (Ravena, N.Y.), while the backfield returns senior strong safety George Kandirakis (White Plains, N.Y.) and sophomore Dan Mehleisen (Latham, N.Y.).

Graduation losses included four-year starters: linebacker Adam Tyksinski, defensive back Devon Wimberly, and punter Bryan Slekes, along with three-year letterwinner, end Brev Creech, a starter last year.

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