Allegheny
(7-3, 6-1 NCAC in 2000)
After three consecutive second-place finishes in the North Coast Athletic Conference, Allegheny enters 2001 in pursuit of the NCAC title that has eluded the Gators since 1997. Coach Blair Hrovat, now in his fourth season at Allegheny, returns a group of 11 starters and 35 letterwinners from a squad that went 7-3 in 2000, with all three losses coming to NCAA playoff participants.

However, reclaiming the NCAC title and advancing to the NCAA playoffs will not be an easy task as another grueling schedule, which has Allegheny on the road six of the season's ten weeks, awaits Hrovat and the Gators. Allegheny kicks off the 2001 slate with a visit to defending national champion Mount Union, before taking on regional rival Washington & Jefferson in Week 2. Lurking on Sept. 29, is the annual battle with NCAC rival Wittenberg, which shifts to Springfield, Ohio, after two consecutive games in Meadville. Allegheny's home schedule this season includes the opener with Denison and a Homecoming Weekend contest against Hiram. A pair of entertaining games are set for back-to-back weeks late in the season as Wabash and Wooster visit The Hill.

Hrovat will count on his high-powered offense and his No. 1 weapon out of the backfield, Shane Ream, if the Gators are to win their ninth NCAC championship in the last 15 years.

In each of the last three seasons Hrovat and offensive coordinator Phil Willenbrock's multiple-back scheme has been one of the nation's elite offenses. In 1998 the Gators ranked 14th in Division III in rush offense, before moving up to tenth in the country in 1999. Last season, Allegheny jumped to fifth, averaging 288.8 yards per game on the ground. The Gators also ranked ninth in total offense, piling up 479.3 yards per game.

Leading the Allegheny Attack out of the backfield is senior tailback Ream, who returns to the Gator lineup, earning 2001 preseason All-America honors and finishing as a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy last season. In 2000, Ream posted one of the best seasons ever logged by an Allegheny running back. He led the nation in scoring, averaging 18.0 points per game, was sixth in rushing with 163.6 yards per game and 14th in all-purpose yardage with 180.7 yards a contest.

Ream also set or tied eight Allegheny single-season or single-game records last season. He broke Jim Mormino's single-season rushing mark, posting 1,636 yards, and single-season points mark, with 180. A Meadville native, Ream also tied Stanley Drayton's mark of 27 rushing touchdowns in a season. The 6-1, 215 pound Ream has rushed for 150-plus yards in 11 of his last 15 games, and he twice eclipsed the 200-yard mark last season, including a career-high 238 yards against Washington & Jefferson.

The Gators' No. 1 option on offense, Ream is poised to rewrite the Gator record book in 2001. He needs 219 yards and 37 points to eclipse Drayton as Allegheny's most prolific rusher and scorer, and he also needs nine rushing touchdowns to better Drayton's career mark in that category.

Joining Ream in the backfield is senior Wyatt Jones, a hard running back who boasts a 200-yard game in 1999 on his résumé. Over the last two seasons, Jones has rushed 87 times for 560 yards and four touchdowns, and he has not been dropped for a loss in the last two years.

Junior Tim Carl returns to the lineup in 2001 after missing all but one game of the 2000 season with an injury. Carl emerged late in his freshman season to earn a starting role. He carried 31 times, two seasons ago, for 174 yards and four touchdowns.

At quarterback, the Gator's return last season's starter in junior Joe Cowart, but he will likely move over to the defensive backfield, thanks to the Gators' depth at quarterback, leaving the starting job open between junior Adam Hobaugh, who missed last season with a knee injury, and sophomore Bubba Smith.

In 2000, Cowart started all ten games, completing 108-of-218 (.495) passes for 1,683 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to earning honorable mention All-NCAC honors. His 218 attempts matched a single-season Gator record first set by Mike Ganey in 1968 and Cowart's 1,683 yards rank fifth in a single-season in school history. Cowart also was the team's third-leading rusher, carrying 93 times for 292 yards and three scores.

Hobaugh missed all of the 2000 season due to a knee injury suffered in training camp. However, he emerged in the second half of the 1999 season to become the Gator starter, leading the team with a 4-1 record over the last five games. In those games Hobaugh completed 49 of 105 passes (.467) for 666 yards and five touchdowns. In limited action last season, Smith connected on 12 of 25 (.480) passes for 181 yards. He also found the end zone twice on the ground, carrying eight times for 38 yards.

Heading into the 2001 campaign, the Gators are thin at receiver, but the lineup boasts one of the top tight ends in the nation in senior Jared McNeilly. Last season, McNeilly earned first team All-NCAC honors, his second year on the postseason team. He finished as the Gators' second-leading receiver, making 28 catches for 422 yards and two touchdowns. McNeilly, who is a strong blocker for his position, also is a contender for national postseason honors both athletically and academically.

At wide receiver, the Gators top returner will likely be sophomore Jon Turner. One year ago, Turner took over for the injured LaMarcus Thurman and started three games for the Gators. Turner totaled eight receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns, his first career touchdown coming on his first career reception against Wittenberg. Hrovat will also look to juniors Jeremy Scott and Luke Pelger and senior Andy Jones at receiver. Scott missed much of last season with a foot injury, but he did make four catches for 36 yards in 1999. A big target at 6-7, Scott is a two-time national runner-up in the outdoor pole vault for the Gator track team.

Willenbrock, also the Gators' offensive line coach, will have his work cut out for him, after the team lost its three interior linemen, all first team All-NCAC picks, to graduation. Back to lead the group is senior tackle Ted Petrosky. Over the last two seasons, Petrosky has 17 starts and has been an anchor in helping the Gator offensive attack rank with the nation's best. Joining Petrosky is senior Ryan Jones, who moved into a starting role in the second half of 2000. To fill the remaining holes the coaching staff will look to juniors Matt and Steve DiGirolamo, who each made early-season starts before having their season's end due to injury. Junior Mike Romano has been a backup at center each of the last two years, and juniors Mike Mong and Marc Burr and sophomore Ian Amman will also be looked to for work on the offensive line.

New defensive coordinator Jim Glogowski inherits five returning starters for a new-look Gator defense. The line lost three starters to graduation, but returning up front to anchor the line is senior end Tim Creahan. Last season, Creahan finished with 32 tackles, including eight for a loss. He also posted 1½ sacks and 21 quarterback hurries. Junior Gene Dziurzynski is poised for a breakthrough season in 2001 after moving up from linebacker. He made 33 tackles last year and added two sacks. Sophomore David Pisanick also moves up from linebacker and is expected to win a starting job. He made 11 tackles and added two sacks as a freshman. The Gators will count on junior Tony Fusaro for a greater contribution up front this season, after he appeared in seven games last season, making 11 tackles with two for a loss. Sophomore Adam Johnston had four tackles last season and will also be a contributor on the offensive line.

The linebackers will be a deep and talented group in 2001. Leading the way is junior J.P. McFeeley, who finished sixth on the team a year ago in tackles even while missing three games due to injury. McFeeley made 43 stops, six for a loss, last season after finishing third on the team in 1999 with 78 tackles. Senior Ralph Tune returns to a starting role after making 41 tackles and adding half a sack. Also back at linebacker is junior Jeremy Beh, who finished with 15 tackles. Junior Tony Simon moves up from defensive back after posting 35 tackles in 2000 and he made a pair of interceptions in a win over Wooster. Junior Bryan Hunter and sophomore Mike Mansfield round out the talented group.

The Gator secondary, which tied the school record with 24 interceptions last year, returns a number of players with veteran experience, led by junior cornerback Derek Vikara. The team leader with five interceptions in 2000, Vikara also was the Gators' seventh-leading tackler with 41 tackles, which included 32 solo stops. In two seasons, Vikara has seven interceptions, eight behind the Allegheny all-time record held by Chuck Lazar. Joining Vikara in the defensive backfield is a group of players who have all started a handful of games. Senior Matt Majocka missed all of last season with injuries, but should challenge for a starting cornerback job. Sophomore Matt Komar made six starts last season and totaled 25 tackles and three interceptions. Junior Kirk Rhoades appeared in all ten games making 31 tackles and adding one pick. And Joe Cowart moves over from QB to challenge for the starting job at free safety. Each will spend time at either a cornerback or safety position. Junior Brandon Behrens will likely become a regular at one of the safety positions. He has 34 tackles and an interception over the last two seasons. Junior Angelo DiNardo had six tackles last season and will compete at safety. Sophomore Quinton Grant will also contribute in the secondary.

The Gators return a number of players on special teams including junior placekicker Aaron Smith. Working exclusively as the team's field goal and extra-point specialist, Smith was the team's third-leading scorer last season with 56 points. He converted 41 of 49 PATs and five of seven field goal attempts with a long kick of 32 yards.

Sophomore Aaron Polack returns to handle the kickoff duties. Last season, Polack helped hold the opposition to an average drive start of the 29-yard line. Junior long snapper Sean Daley is also back. Allegheny must find a replacement at punter to fill the hole left by the graduation of Al Trezza. Junior Bryan Hunter, the only returning punter on the roster, and Polack will compete for the punting duties.

A group of return specialists are also back. Derek Vikara and Kirk Rhoades returned punts last season, averaging 8.9 and 11.6 yards per return, respectively. Vikara, Tim Carl and Jon Turner all returned kickoffs last season.

Earlham (6-4, 4-3 NCAC in 2000)
Experience will lead the Earlham College Quakers in 2001. A year ago the Quakers garnered six wins en route to their best season since 1994. In addition, Earlham broke 11 and tied two all-time school records. "We return a group of guys that will provide us with a good nucleus," head coach Frank Carr said. "It will benefit us to be led by a group of juniors and seniors."

"We learned how to win last season," coach Carr said. "It will be important to use that experience in winning this season."

Quaker linebacker Robert Gunn ’02 not only topped Earlham’s tackle chart and set a school football record for tackles in a season, but was also recognized as Division III’s leading tackler with 178. Defensive back David Thompson ’02 ranked second nationally in passes defended with 27 as he recorded 21 pass breakups and six interceptions. Defensive lineman Terrance Bogan ’02 joined Gunn and Thompson as second team all-conference selections.

The Quakers return 17 starters and 35 letterwinners from a year ago. Offensively, Earlham returns eight players, including all-conference honorable mention running backs Jermel Hurt ‘03, Darrian Story ‘03, and wide receiver Will Hughes ’02, who had nine touchdown receptions to post another school record. In addition to Gunn and Thompson, the Quakers return seven starters on defense.

On the ground, the Quakers rushed for 100 yards more per game in ’00 than in ’99 while their defense allowed 100 yards less.

Two-year starter Quincy Adams ’03 returns and will assume the quarterback position. In 2000, he completed 105 of 207 attempted passes for 11 touchdowns and 1,347 yards. Joining Will Hughes, who averaged 25.6 yards per catch in 2000, is receiver Brad Brown ’02 who caught 23 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.

The Quakers will rely on running backs Story and Hurt. In 2000, Story rushed for 893 yards to set the single season rushing record at Earlham. Story also rushed for 227 yards against Manchester (Sept. 23) to set the record for rushing yards in a game. Setting records of his own, Hurt averaged 6.8 yards per carry for another Earlham football record. He also scored six touchdowns and averaged 72.1 yards a game.

Tim Taylor ’03 and Grant Babb ’02 return as lone offensive linemen. After losing three starters to graduation a year ago, filling the offensive line positions will be a key concern for the Quaker coaching staff.

Gunn, the nation’s leading tackler a year ago, will be joined at the linebacker position, by his brother Rodney Gunn ’03 and Dee Bostic ’03. Rodney finished second on Earlham’s tackle chart in ’00 as he recorded 107 total stops.

Tim Heinke ’02 and Bogan return as defensive linemen. Bogan, totaled 58 tackles, including 39 solo first hits, nine for loss and six sacks totaling 41 yards. Heinke collected 37 total tackles and seven for a loss.

Experience continues as the Quakers return four position players in the defensive backfield. Jason Powell ’03 will join Thompson at the corner position. Saul Mack ’03 and Chad Berndt ’03 will play the safety and strong safety positions respectively.

Mike Elorreaga ’03 will return and assume the kicking responsibilities.

Hiram (3-7, 2-5 NCAC in 2000)
Change is good. Consistency and stability are even better. The success of the Terrier football team in 2001 will be determined by finding a combination of all three.

Last season, a change in conferences yielded a 3-7 record in the Terriers' debut in the North Coast Athletic Conference. The three wins were the most in a single season since 1996.

This season, a change at the top has the Terriers looking forward to the 2001 campaign with enthusiasm and optimism. First-year head coach Mike Meyer takes over the reigns of the program, replacing Bobby Thomas.

"I'm very excited to be at Hiram," said Meyer, who spent the past 11 seasons as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Ohio Northern. "Most of the staff is new and I have very high expectations for improvement."

Not everything has changed, however, and that's also a plus. The Terriers return 41 letterwinners from last season's seventh-place NCAC squad. That group includes 20 seniors, the largest senior class in recent memory. The key, according to Meyer, will be "working hard in camp and getting the kids to learn the new system. How we create a good chemistry and relationship between the staff and players in the first few weeks will be a big factor."

Offensively, the Terriers will receive a boost from the return of its two top performers of 1999.

Senior running back Kris Geibel (Streetsboro High School) led the Terriers in rushing each of his first three seasons, but missed all of 2000 due to injury. A two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection, Geibel currently ranks third on Hiram's career rushing list (2,315 yards) and also holds the top spot on the all-time list in yards per carry (4.9). Strong-armed senior quarterback Dwayne Pavkovich (Poland/Seminary H.S.) also expects to be fully recovered from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss three games and play sparingly in the other seven a year ago. When healthy, he has proven to be one of the best passers in school history, throwing for 3,705 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Pavkovich will be pressed by senior Tom Gallagher (Strongsville/Brunswick H.S.) who passed for 1,361 yards and eight TDs last season, including a 10-for-14, three touchdown performance against Kenyon last year that earned him NCAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Each will enter camp with a legitimate shot at the starting job.

Whether Pavkovich or Gallagher is calling the signals, they will have ample protection. Seniors Neil Kutscher (Concord/Lake Catholic H.S.) and Ben Sparhwak (North Canton/Hoover H.S.) and junior Scott Thompson (Poland/Seminary H.S.) return on the offensive line, a group that allowed the fourth fewest sacks in the NCAC last season.

The Terriers do have some holes to fill on offense, specifically at the wide receiver position. The top four pass-catchers from a year ago are gone, including All-NCAC wide out Tim Devericks. Junior Mike Sandy (Medina/Buckeye H.S.) and sophomore Scott Padurean (Lisbon/David Anderson H.S.) are the leading returners from a year ago.

The defensive unit returns seven starters, including all four defensive linemen. Senior Martin Molina (Cleveland/John Marshall H.S.), Reuben Turner (Bedford Heights/Bedford H.S.), and Rob Vaincourt (North Royalton High School)¸as well as junior Bob Bastian (Madison High School) combined for eight sacks. In addition, junior Andrew Carchedi (Struthers High School) and sophomore Cliff Askew (Geneva High School) also saw considerable action a year ago and could easily crack the starting lineup.

The strength of the defense is expected to the linebacking corps. Senior Matt Stiner (Poland/Seminary H.S.) and junior Jeremiah Cleveland (Cleveland/Glenville H.S.) are two all-conference caliber players. Cleveland finished second on the squad in tackles last season with 78, including 10 tackles for loss. Stiner registered 63 total stops and intercepted two passes a year ago. Senior Derrick Paes (New Middletown/Springfield Local H.S.), juniors Ryan Cecchini (Avella, Pa./Avella Area H.S.) and Clinton Martin (Shaker Heights High School) and sophomore Brad Maguth (Cleveland/John Marshall H.S.) will add depth to the unit after each gained valuable experience a year ago. Senior Jason Timmons (Garrettsville/Windham H.S.) registered 32 total tackles and three sacks a year ago, but may be moved to offense to take advantage of his athletic ability.

The special teams chores will be handled by the senior duo of Joe Rogich (Youngstown/Ursuline H.S.) and Brain Bauman (Litchfield/Buckeye H.S.). Rogich connected on 11 of 13 PATs last season and was 1-for-2 on field goals. Bauman ranked fifth in the NCAC with a 34.0-yard average on 69 punts, including a long of 57 yards. He also made good on four of five PAT attempts.

"I think the thing that will effect our season — as well as the future of the program — is the leadership and attitude of this senior class," adds Meyer. "We need to take advantage of having such a large senior class and use it is as a cornerstone for 2001 and beyond."

Oberlin (0-10, 0-7 NCAC in 2000)
Oberlin will return its largest group of letterwinners in years and will look to improve on last year's disappointing 0-10 season. Third-year head coach Jeff Ramsey will attempt to blend 36 letterwinners and a host of newcomers into a contending team.

Among the 36 returning letterwinners, 18 were starters last season for the Yeomen. The defense was a bright spot last year and helped keep Oberlin in a number of close games. The team will return nine starters on both sides of the ball for the 2001 season in hopes of breaking its 39-game losing streak.

The defense will maintain its strength and will be led by senior linebacker Sam Hobi (Ephraim, Utah/Snow College) who was selected as the North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year as well as honorable mention All-NCAC. Hobi led the Yeomen with 127 tackles (66 of his tackles were unassisted and 24 were for a loss), nine sacks and two blocked kicks.

Sophomore defensive back George Parr (Houston/Lamar) was selected honorable mention All-NCAC and led Oberlin last season with five interceptions for 30 yards and accumulated five sacks and 52 tackles. Parr also deflected 11 passes and recovered a fumble in his first season for the Yeomen. He will also put in time on the offensive side at running back this season. Senior defensive back Tim Salazar (Layton, Utah/Snow College), who was also selected honorable mention All-NCAC, led the Yeomen with two recovered fumbles and one forced fumble last season, and was third on the team with three interceptions.

Other key returning starters for the Yeomen defense this season will be senior safety David Smolev (Glencoe, Ill./New Trier), sophomore defensive back Quammie Semper (Houston/Waltrip) and sophomore defensive lineman Anthony Hudgins (Van Vleck, Texas). Smolev was second on the team last season with 70 tackles, 40 of which were unassisted, and he also racked up two sacks and an interception. Semper missed three games last year due to a broken wrist, but managed to finish second on the team with four interceptions for 71 yards, including a 22 yard touchdown return in Oberlin's last game of the season at Denison. Hudgins finished the 2000 campaign with five sacks for a loss of 34 yards and 29 tackles to lead the defensive line.

On offense, Oberlin will return a solid group of starters, including junior Chris Moffatt (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard) and sophomore Troy DeWitt (San Diego/The Bishop's School), who split time at quarterback last season. Moffatt completed 56 of 170 passes for 537 yards passing with two touchdowns. DeWitt tallied 499 yards by completing 48 of 114 passes.

Returning at the running back position is sophomore David Lightfoot (Plainview, Texas), who led Oberlin last season in rushing with 383 yards on 113 carries, including one touchdown. The Yeomen will also return three wide receivers, senior Chad Raver (Columbus, Ohio/Hamilton Twp.) and junior Cody McCoy (Glouster, Ohio/Trimble Local), and sophomore tight end Brian Senne (Gainesville, Fla./University of South Florida). Last year, Raver led the team with 322 yards on 20 receptions, while McCoy was the leader in receptions with 27 catches for 241 yards. Senne caught 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Anchoring the offensive line will be sophomores B.J. Belville (South Point, Ohio), Andrew Roebuck (Warren, Ohio/Warren Harding) and Adam Miller (Akron, Ohio/Firestone).

On special teams, McCoy and sophomore Brandon Neely (Lorain, Ohio/Southview) return as the team's top return specialists. McCoy returned eight kicks last season for 155 yards, and Neely returned 19 kicks for 291 yards. Returning punters this season will be senior Bob Montag (Johnstown, Pa./Richland), who punted for 723 yards last season, and sophomore Joseph Lourigan (Georgetown, Texas) who punted for 1,272 yards.

Wabash (6-4, 5-2 NCAC in 2000)
Wabash will mix experience and a new look this season as Chris Creighton takes over as head coach of the Little Giants.

While Creighton is new to Wabash, he is no stranger to the North Coast Athletic Conference. He led Kenyon to a conference co-championship in 1989 and still holds the record for consecutive completions with 16. He came to Wabash from Ottawa University with a four-year record of 32-7 and two conference championships under his belt.

Creighton will have an experienced squad returning this season. Fifteen starters return on offense and defense from a team that finished third in the conference in its initial NCAC campaign. Junior quarterback Jake Knott continued to rewrite the Wabash record book last season, and broke a few NCAC records as well. The Little Giants' First Team All-Conference signal-caller set 12 Wabash and NCAC records last year and enters the 2001 season second on the school's career passing chart, trailing by 2,286 yards.

Knott will look for two of his favorite targets from last season again this year. Senior Kurt Casper and junior Ryan Short ranked among the top receivers in Division III last season. Casper became only the third Wabash player to top the 1,000-yard receiving mark, finishing the year with 82 receptions for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns. Short set a Wabash record and tied the NCAC record for touchdown receptions with 13.

Chris Morris and Desson Hannum will share time in the backfield once again this season. Morris gained 243 yards on 68 carries last year, while injuries held Hannum to only 21 carries last year. Sophomore David Sutherland will also look for time in the backfield after missing all of 2000 with a knee injury.

Three starters return for Wabash on the offensive line. Center Thomas Meeker, tackle Jamie Bopp, and two-year starting guard Bucky Kramer helped pave the way for a record-setting season in 2000 and return for another season together in the trenches.

Defensively Wabash loses its all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss on the field. B.J. Hammer moves from his spot on the defensive line to a place on the sidelines as an assistant coach. His brother, Blair Hammer, returns for his sophomore season after starting the last three games of the 2000 season for Wabash. Hammer will be joined by Matt Mercer and Chris Futscher on the front line. Both return after starting nearly every game up front for the Wabash defense.

Junior Nathan Boulais is the leading returning tackler for the Little Giants. Boulais made 66.5 tackles, three sacks, and four tackles for loss. He will be joined by Josh Stanton, who made 21 tackles as a backup linebacker in 2000, and Connor Kuba, who finished the 2000 campaign with 12 tackles.

Juniors Lonnie Heck and Chad Springer led the Wabash secondary in 2000, each recording three interceptions. Senior Brad Taphorn and sophomores Adan Garcia, Terrance Nance, and Artie Montes also return to the defensive backfield once again for the Little Giants in 2001.

Kickers Todd Bower and Olmy Olmstead return after a successful 2000 season. Bower kicked a career-long 46-yard field goal and was a perfect 20-for-20 in extra points before missing the last three games of season with a broken ankle. Bower spent the offseason recovering from surgery, and will be ready to get back on the field. Olmstead filled in for Bower in the final two games, hitting a Wabash-record nine extra points against Denison. Joe Lonnemann and Hank Leach are the leading candidates going into the 2001 to handle the punting duties. Lonnemann averaged 34.6 yards per punt last year. Meanwhile, Josh Bronaugh was in the Top 10 in Division III in return yardage last season before missing the final five games with a broken arm. He averaged 23.4 yards per kick return and 15 yards per punt return in 2000. Andy Peters was the long snapper last season for Wabash, and returns for his junior season after being named the Wabash Special Teams Player of the Year.

Wittenberg (12-1, 7-0 NCAC in 2000)
The Wittenberg Tigers have holes to fill in 2001. But the Tigers, winners of three straight NCAC championships, hardly resemble swiss cheese despite the loss of record-setting tailback Casey Donaldson, the first player to earn the Mike Gregory Award three consecutive years.

That’s because Wittenberg, the winningest all-time NCAA Division III football program with 615 victories, returns 36 letterwinners who have never lost a regular season game. That’s also because, of the team’s 18 All-NCAC selections from year ago, nine are expected back in 2001, including seven defensive starters. And that’s also because taskmaster Joe Fincham returns after steering Wittenberg football to an astonishing 52 wins in the last five years.

After putting 434 points on the board in the regular season alone, Wittenberg’s strength was unquestionably offense in 2000. The Tigers steamrolled their first 12 foes by scoring at least 31 points in each game — led by record-setting tailback Casey Donaldson, the first player to earn the NCAC’s Mike Gregory Award (Offensive Player of the Year) three straight years. He led a senior class that was absolutely dominant — owners of a 39-1 regular season record the last four years and the first class in school history to make the NCAA playoffs three straight years.

Now 12 starters must be replaced, including nine all-conference selections from a year ago. That is a tall order, to be sure, but one that appears doable.
In 2001, the team’s defensive unit appears to be its strong suit. Leading the charge will be four returning starters on the defensive line — junior Allen D’Andrea and seniors Juan Howard, Mike Houck and Tim Daoust. In addition, junior outside linebacker Andy Pope returns along with three returning starters in the defensive backfield — junior Elio Harmon and seniors John Hauser and Jason Jackson. In addition, senior safety Andy Waddle returns after seeing significant action in 2000, his first as a Tiger after transferring from the University of Findlay.

Offensively, junior running backs Jason Stephan and Daniel Grove, who combined for 127 attempts and 717 rushing yards, hope to pick up where Donaldson left off. Both appeared in all 10 games and were stalwarts on special teams before getting carries late in games. The other returning skill position player is senior Michael Aljancic, the team’s leading receiver the last two years who ranks fifth on the school’s all-time receptions list.

The other offensive starters expected to return are junior center Adam McClain and senior tackle Matt Leisure, both 10-game starters in 2000, and junior tight end Erich Schoeneberger, who split duties with senior Josh Garber in 2000. At the all-important quarterback position, three-year starter Anthony Crane and three-year first-string backup Chris Damico both have departed, leaving first shot at the spot in 2001 to junior Greg Cornett.

Also up for grabs in 2001 are both specialist spots. Punter Matt Gallatin and placekicker Ryan Walker were both first-team all-conference choices in 2000, and both now leave gaping holes to be filled. First crack at one or both of the jobs will be given to sophomore Conrad Hindert, who handled kickoff duties last year.

The schedule may break favorably for the Tigers, as the two teams expected to pose the greatest threat to Wittenberg’s three-year stranglehold on the top spot in the conference — Wabash and Allegheny — must visit Edwards-Maurer Field on back-to-back weeks in September. A week prior to the crucial NCAC games, the Tigers face their most imposing non-conference challenge, a long bus trip to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association power Alma.

In conference action, the Tigers’ face a final five-game gauntlet that includes four road games. The biggest tests figure to be on Oct. 13 at Wooster — the last place Wittenberg lost an NCAC game (Nov. 8, 1997) — and the season finale on Nov. 3 at Earlham, last year’s most improved NCAC team.

Wooster (6-4, 4-3 NCAC in 2000)
Armed with a strong group of returnees who have patiently awaited their turn in the spotlight and a highly touted freshmen class, second-year head coach Mike Schmitz believes that The College of Wooster can overcome the loss of its second consecutive star-studded senior class and put together another winning campaign on the gridiron in 2001.

"With the graduation of 38 seniors over the past two years, there will be those who say that Wooster is rebuilding," explained Schmitz, who last fall became only the third coach in school history to win the first four games of his career. "We do not look at it that way though because we see ourselves as a program that will be a major contender every year no matter who is or is not returning."

The Fighting Scots' Class of 2001 accounted for 10 starting positions in the lineup with nine of those players earning all-conference recognition and two who received multiple All-American honors — linebacker Seth Duerr and cornerback Seth Mastrine — during their careers.

That leaves Schmitz and his staff with the youngest Wooster squad in several years, however, that could prove to be a positive. The last time the Scots had so many non-returning senior starters was in 1997, when an upstart group of young men sporting the Black and Old Gold surprised everyone except themselves by posting a 9-1 record and earning a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference title.

Schmitz firmly believes that this current group of returnees, which includes 32 letterwinners, and his 48-member freshmen class are more than ready to guide Wooster to its sixth consecutive winning season, and possibly duplicate the championship run of four years ago.

"On one hand, you might say we have a lot of question marks," Schmitz said. "But I can tell you this, we are excited about our young players. Many of the young men we have coming back have the potential to become all-conference players, and we are really thrilled with this recruiting class."

On paper, the Scots' strength appears to lie on the offensive side of things, where it returns most of the starters at the 'skill positions' led by two-time all-league wide receiver Chris Cabot, as well as tailbacks Rob Hooper and Scott Jones. A major key, though, will be the effectiveness of the offensive line, which admittedly struggled during the 2000 campaign.

Defensively, Wooster will need to find replacements for the middle of the unit, where it lost both starters at tackle and Duerr to graduation. However, two starting ends return in Drew Fay, an all-conference selection last fall, and Todd Worly, both of whom are entering their junior campaigns. In addition, three of four starters return in the secondary led by Nick Hajjar, another junior who also earned all-league recognition in 2000. Collectively, these players along with senior linebacker Jeff Anderson will provide the foundation for a group that has posted five shutouts in its last 19 games.

"Certainly we will be young at several positions," summarized Schmitz. "But, as a staff, we really like this team. It is a group of guys who really don't care who gets the credit. We feel we have terrific chemistry. They genuinely like each other and want to help each other perform better."

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