Buffalo State (1-8 in 2001)
Buffalo State football was greeted by an early winter in 2001, as it missed the postseason for the first time in 11 years. As second-year coach Bob Swank brings his first recruiting class into the mix, the Bengals are looking to avenge their first losing season since 1989.

"We will be bringing a number of new faces into the program, and they will compete with the more than 35 juniors and seniors for playing time," Swank said. "I will guarantee that we will be a tougher and more disciplined team this season. We will have to wait and see how that will translate into wins and losses."

The 35-plus upperclassmen Swank refers to will be relied on heavily for leadership, as the team will not select captains for the 2002 campaign. The returnees have been committed to the offseason training program, and have the coaching staff anticipating vast improvement on the field.

Here is a position-by-position look at the 2002 Buffalo State Bengals:

Buffalo State will look to improve on its scoring average of 17.7 points per game in 2001. A deep backfield and solid offensive line should help to bolster the numbers this season.

For the second season in a row, the quarterback spot will be wide open as camp begins Aug. 16. The only returnee is Marques Phillips, who occupied the third string spot last season. A host of newcomers will battle Phillips for the starting job, as the Bengals will look for a consistency from this position that was lacking a year ago.

The running back position could shape up to be the best preseason battle. Four players will return that all saw significant playing time last season, and five freshmen will vie for a spot in the lineup. Sterling Anderson, Felix Joyner, Nut Jones and Rick O'Neil all have the potential to be 1,000-yard rushers. Anderson led the group last season with 584 yards on 134 carries. "I have been impressed with all four players during the offseason," Swank said. "Only two of them will emerge from the battle, but we will look to find ways to get them all on the field at other positions."

A pair of returnees in Nick Stepien and Patrick Moore lead this impressive unit. Stepien returns for a final season after making the transition to fullback from quarterback last year. His season was ended in training camp with a torn Achilles however, but he appears to have returned to full strength. Moore served as the starter last year, but is also returning from winter surgery. Mark Baker will join a Division I and a junior college transfer to compete for a starting job.

The wide receiver spot is the least experienced position on the roster. Billy Edwards returns for his final year as a three-year starter who has improved every year. He led the team with 392 receiving yards in 2001. Ryan Cox, Tim Hirschman and Marc Hoppy are all relatively unproven, but will compete for time. Cox has good size and could compliment Edwards well, while Hirschman and Hoppy are smaller, but have good speed.

T.J. Cottrell and Gary Gonzales both return after seeing significant playing time during the last two seasons. Cottrell is a big target with good speed that can be used as a split end as well. Gonzales has been used primarily in blocking situations, but could get more touches this season. Both could be on the field at the same time more often this season.

Despite losing a couple of starters from last season, this unit could still be one of the strongest in the Northeast. Hans Mann leads this group at left tackle at 6-5 and 350 pounds. He is a four-year starter who earned ECAC All-Star status last season and has a legitimate shot at becoming an All-American this year. Rich Swygert is other bookend and is equally impressive. At 6-3 and 290-pounds, Swygert could also be a prominent figure when it comes time for postseason honors. Corey Reichard appears to be the favorite to start at center. Reichard has added strength since starting two seasons ago, and is determined to make the most of his senior season. Zeke Tookes, Pat Louis, Andrew Martin, Brian Hoffman, Jason Grembowicz and Tom Jakubaszek will join five or six newcomers to battle for the remaining spots.

"Our defense should prove to be our most improved unit this season," Swank said. Buffalo State will need to address some concerns that led to opponents averaging 34.1 points per game last season, despite the Bengals forcing 23 turnovers in nine games. Among the chief concerns was the Bengals' inability to stop teams on third and fourth downs. Opponents converted on 47% of their third- and fourth-down attempts in 2001.

Defensive tackle is the biggest question mark on this side of the ball. Star Handley is the lone returnee to have seen starting time. Handley recorded 30 tackles last season, his first as a starter. Julius Scott will look to make the transition to the defensive side of the ball after serving on the offensive line last season. Tardus Taylor and Alex Thomson will battle a couple of strong newcomers to crack the starting lineup. Nate Van Husen and Dave Barabas are the favorites to start at the ends. Van Husen and Barabas each recorded a pair of sacks last season and are both strong players with good speed. Nick Columbo will battle a talented newcomer for field time.

Similar to the running back position, there is a logjam at linebacker. Josh Hostuttler and Dave Chelus were both impressive as starters last season, recording 49 and 65 tackles respectively. They will need to stay motivated to retain their starting jobs as Nick Warren, Israel Cuyler and Bo Sireika are all poised to step in. Mike Holbok and the two newcomers at fullback could also see action this year.

The defensive backfield is thin, although four former starters do return this season. Tony Favata and Mike Pawlikowski were the starting corners last year, and have worked hard to retain their spots. Favata has recorded 154 tackles in three seasons, while Pawlikowski had six pass breakups and one interception in 2001. Mike Potter will look to build on a sensational rookie season at safety where he led the team with six interceptions and was named an ECAC All-Star. John Lesure is a speedster who was impressive during the first half of last season. Brian Wilson and Shaun Zelasko will look to impress the coaches during training camp to earn playing time. Players that lose battles at other positions could also see time in the secondary.

"Our special teams should be a strength," Swank said. "It often plays as big an influence on the outcome of a game as offense and defense, so we need to be committed to having our best players on the field."

Sireika and Cox return to battle for punting duties. Sireika finished fourth-best in Upstate New York at 36.3 yards per punt, while Cox averaged 33 yards on three punts. Scott Killingbeck and a transfer will add to a healthy competition. Cox, Favata, Eric Buchanan and a newcomer will attempt to win the kicking job.

Joyner and O'Neil averaged 17.5 and 14.7 yards per kick return respectively last season and will likely compete with a host of newcomers for the starting job again this season. Edwards will likely return punts again, but he will be joined by several speedy freshman attempting to earn a spot.

D3football.com called Buffalo State's 2001 schedule the toughest in Division III, and it does not get any easier this season with the same nine teams on the schedule plus a tenth game against Case Western Reserve. The Bengals will open the 2002 campaign Sept. 7 at Division I-AA non-scholarship Robert Morris and will kickoff their home schedule the following week against Division II Mansfield. After travelling to Albion, Buffalo State will host Cortland for homecoming. The remaining schedule will consist of contests at Brockport State, Case Western and Ithaca and home dates with Rowan, Montclair State and Washington and Jefferson.

Macalester (1-9 in 2001)
Macalester's inaugural season as an independent should be an interesting one as fifth-year head coach Dennis Czech and the Scots enter a new era with hope for a winning future. Gone from the schedule are six former MIAC rivals, all but St. Olaf, Carleton and Hamline, while Macalester has picked up dates with Beloit, Trinity Bible (N.D.), Principia, Martin Luther, Colorado College and Lewis & Clark, as well as a late-season Metrodome game against an opponent from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference to be determined.

The Scots are looking for another big season from All-America lineman Andrew Porter, who returns to lead the defense once again. Porter has had a great three seasons and is looking to go out with a dominating senior year. He registered seven quarterback sacks and 19 tackles for loss of yardage last season and has had 41 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Porter will enter his senior campaign with 26 career sacks. Junior safety Gray Herzberg was named all-conference honorable mention last season. Senior linebacker Nick Kraemer had four quarterback sacks and led the team with 77 tackles, while Marshall Mullenbach picked off seven passes. The defensive line returns Justin Hagen after an injury-plagued year. Linebackers Clark Boyesen and Brandon Dixon return with a wealth of experience on the Scots defense.

Mac's offense loses record-setting receiver Ty O'Connell and his 197 career catches but should once again be effective throwing the ball. Junior quarterback Adam Denny returns after missing the 2001 season and has the potential to post some big numbers in Macalester's passing attack. Returning to lead the offensive line are Clark Wohlferd, Eric Chapin and Jesse Batty. The trio of Matt Munson, David Krueger and Ben Dickinson at running back will hope to give the offense more balance in it?s attack. The receiver group this year will be all new faces in Steve Zachary, Adam Johnson and Adam Heathcote, this group has good size and ability. There development may be the key for the key for this years season.

This season should be an exciting one with a fresh start, a solid returning nucleus, a promising freshman class, and a competitive challenging schedule. The hope is the 2002 season will be one to remember.

Thomas More (11-1 in 2001)
Following an 11-1 season a year ago, a peak ranking of No. 12 in Division III and advancing to the second round of the playoffs, hopes and expectations are high surrounding the 2002 Thomas More squad. However, after a season of firsts in which so many new records and achievements were realized, the question is, what do you do for an encore?

This is the task that awaits head coach Dean Paul as he and his staff prepare for another season of Thomas More football. Not only is there pressure to duplicate 2001's successes, but the attitude and mindset surrounding the team grows higher with each passing year. Since Paul and his staff arrived on campus, they have gone 27-5, the best three-year total in school history.

A year ago, the Saints boasted the nation's third-best rushing offense with a 301.2 yards per game average while also averaging 38.9 points per game, the nation's 16th ranked scoring offense. Defensively, Thomas More ranked 20th in scoring defense, allowing opponents a mere 13.3 points per game. The team also earned accolades on special teams as well, achieving a ranking of 14th in team kickoff returns with an average of 22.69 yards per return.

The 2002 season sees 34 returning letterwinners as well as 16 out of 22 starters. However, although the Saints return a wealth of talent from last year, Paul and his staff must replace some key losses. The most notable opening is at quarterback.

Following the 2001 season, the Saints had to say goodbye to one of the most talented players ever to play quarterback at Thomas More. Jesse Lowrey, who completed his eligibility last fall, finished his three-year career ranked second in passing yards (4,357) and passing touchdowns (38). He was also the highest rated quarterback in school history with an efficiency rating of 152.05 and totaled a record of 24-3 as a starter to go along with 886 yards rushing

In 2002, Thomas More will look to a talented yet untested quarterback. Through two seasons, Scott Garver has thrown just 14 passes, completing three for a total of 20 yards. He also has two interceptions and has yet to throw a touchdown. The junior has appeared in 10 games with one start, the 2000 season opener at Anderson (a 17-10 Saints win).

Unlike Lowrey, Garver is a pass first, run second quarterback who possesses a very strong and accurate arm. Thomas More's offensive scheme will still be run-dominated, but Garver's abilities should allow for the offense to be more of a passing threat than it has been in recent years.

Without question, running back has been the key to offensive success throughout the program's history. Over the program's 12 years, the Saints have had six 1,000-yard rushers. Three of those seasons have seen two players rush for over 1,000 yards in the same year. Thomas More has had both constant and consistent production from this position every year.

With that said, the Saints will turn to senior Justin Frisk to handle the brunt of the running attack. In his first season at Thomas More in 2001, Frisk rushed for 1,073 yards on 172 carries and 17 touchdowns. His yardage ranked him sixth in a single-season while his carries were ninth. His touchdown total was just one off of the single-season record of 18 set by Derrick Jett in 1991. Frisk averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season which is the best single-season mark in school history.

Frisk had six 100-yard rushing games last season, the third highest in a single-season, and also led the team in receiving last season in both receptions and yardage with 19 catches for 283 yards. He also added two receiving touchdowns to give him 114 points. He finished 13th in the final NCAA statistics for scoring.

Even after all those accomplishments, Frisk still accomplished more in 2001. A threat on special teams as well, he returned nine kickoffs for 259 yards, an average of 28.8 per return. Combine those yards with his rushing and receiving totals and he accounted for 1,615 all-purpose yards, an average of 146.8 per game, which was 23rd in Division III.

The Saints will be hurt by the loss of senior Curtis Williams. Williams, who led the team in rushing in 2001 with 1,116 yards on 194 carries and 15 touchdowns, finishes his career sixth on the rushing yardage list. Williams carried 419 times for 2,218 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The Saints will benefit from the return of the team's third-, fourth- and fifth-leading rushers from last season. Sophomore Ryan Woodie, who emerged as the team's top halfback a year ago, gained very valuable experience which should help him have even more of an impact in 2002. He carried the ball 34 times for 171 yards last year. Senior Rick Honaker, three-time Special Teams Player of the Year for the Saints, had 23 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown in 2001 and also returns at halfback this season.

Sophomore Chris Trump was listed as a tailback on the roster in 2001. However, Trump ended up being used primarily as a wide receiver as he had 18 receptions for a team-high 283 yards to go along with two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 26 times for 88 yards and one touchdown.

Extending even deeper into the depth of the running back position, the team will welcome back sophomore Nick Partin who, before a season ending injury in preseason camp, was expected to be the starter in 2001. As a freshman in 2000, he was fourth on the team in rushing, totaling 72 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Also returning after a one-year absence will be senior Corey Siffel who lettered in 2000 as a junior, with nine carries for 51 yards.

The wide receiver position lacks a clear go-to threat. In 2001, the top three receivers on the team were running backs: Frisk, Trump and Woodie. In all, players who were listed as wide receivers on the roster in 2001 accounted for just 42 of the team's 111 receptions and 696 of the team's 1,564 receiving yards. Receivers also had just five of the 15 receiving touchdowns.

However, the receiving unit did come up with big plays in key situations with the biggest example coming when Lowrey found Matt Carpenter for a game-wining 30-yard touchdown strike against MacMurray in the first round of the playoffs with only 14 seconds remaining in the game. In 2001, the ball was spread out among many different receivers as a total of 14 players had at least one catch. This season, the receiving corps will also be affected by the loss of John Spurlock, who transferred to Hanover after catching nine balls for 187 yards last season.

Despite the feeling of uncertainty surrounding the receiver position, one thing is clear, this position should become much more of a threat in 2002. With the ascension of Scott Garver at quarterback, a dropback passer with a lot of arm strength and accuracy, the receiver unit as a whole should feature a wealth of talent. Leading the way among those returning is senior Nathan Ritter. Although a tight end, Ritter has left his mark on Thomas More as a receiver. Over his three seasons, he has hauled in 26 receptions for 416 yards and seven touchdowns. His seven career touchdowns place him tied for fourth on the career receiving touchdowns list.

Joining Ritter will be senior Joe Sacco and juniors Greg Harris and Carpenter. Although Sacco's numbers are not those of Ritter, he has made his impact through his hard, aggressive style of play exhibited by his downfield blocking on run plays. Harris had a breakthrough season in 2001, catching nine passes for 145 yards after making an impact on special teams. Carpenter came into last season with the highest numbers of the three, having caught four balls for 50 yards in 2000. Last season, he also had nine receptions for a total of 127 yards. His first career touchdown came last season, the dramatic game-winner against MacMurray.

One newcomer that should stand out this season is sophomore Mike Rieck, a transfer from Capital. Rieck, who was named Division I All-State in Ohio, was selected to play in the 2001 North/South Game. His brother Craig played from 1996-99 and currently holds the record for career touchdown receptions (15).

Thomas More's running back dominance has a lot to do with the success of the offensive line. Despite all the success this position has experienced over the years, the argument could be made that Thomas More has never had such a dominant offensive line as currently is in place. All five starters from 2001 will return up front for the Saints this season. The team of junior Cory Franklin, senior Mike Strassell, junior Matt Atkins, junior Jeremy Watson and senior Eric Angel comprise the most dominant and experienced O-line corps in school history. The average size for the starting five is 6-2, 280 pounds.

The group was selected to D3football.com's Team of the Week following the Hanover game in which the team rushed for 339 yards and three touchdowns. For Strassell, Angel and Atkins, it was their second such honor as the three were a part of the offensive line that earned Team of the Week in 2000 following the Defiance game in which the team rushed for 326 yards and Will Castleberry 294.

Against Hanover in 2001, both Curtis Williams and Justin Frisk ran for over 100 yards with Williams totaling 153 and Frisk 140 yards. Last season, the team rushed for more than 300 yards in seven out of 12 games, with a high of 380 against Bluffton, and had two players rush for over 100 yards each in a game four times. Also in 2001, the Saints had the nation's third best rushing offense, averaging 301.2 yards per game.

This group has also helped the passing attack. In 2000, the offensive line surrendered 42 sacks in 198 pass attempts, an average of one in every five attempts. Last season, the average drastically improved as the team allowed one sack in every nine attempts. Also in 2001, the offense averaged 6.0 yards per play, up from 5.2 in 1999 and 5.5 in 2000.

Joining this experienced group in 2002 will be the return of junior Dan Keal who was a 10-game starter at center as a freshman in 1999 before an injury caused him to redshirt in 2000. Keal saw action in three games last season. The Saints will also welcome back the return of sophomore Matt DeBord who missed the 2001 season, junior Dave Laake who made the transition from defensive line last season and junior Matt Rulon.

Much like the offensive line, the defensive line returns key players with valuable experience in 2002. However, the Saints must replace two defensive ends who saw action in every game.

On the interior, senior Mike Salmons will return as the starter at one tackle for the second consecutive season. Salmons followed up a successful 2000 campaign where he totaled 20 tackles by finishing with 40 tackles in 2001. He also added seven tackles for loss, two sacks and a team-high two fumble recoveries. At 6-2, 275, senior Tyson Vogelpohl is a three-year starter on the defensive line who reached the 100-tackle mark last season. He has eight career sacks and matched his season-high with three last season. Vogelpohl also was third on the team in tackles for loss with 12 and now has 22 for his career.

At defensive end, junior Chris Doxsey returns, having started all 12 games last season in his first full varsity campaign in which he totaled 11 tackles, including three for loss and 2½ sacks. The end position lost two quality players in the offseason in sophomore Luke Scarborough and freshman Donta Hendricks. Scarborough was a 12-game starter a year ago while Hendricks saw extensive action in all 12 games.

To help fill the void at defensive end, the Saints are looking to move Vogelpohl from the inside to the outside, making room for junior transfer Brandon Bridges. Vogelpohl has demonstrated quickness off the line to enable the Saints to experiment with such a change. The 6-4, 280-pound Bridges, a two-year letterwinner at Kent State, is expected to play defensive tackle alongside Salmons.

Depth on the defensive line will likely come from two of five sophomores, led by Gannon Vogelpohl (Tyson's brother). Gannon had a strong freshman season with 17 tackles and one sack. Kevin Roberts, who saw action in five games last year totaling three tackles, has shown the potential to be a key reserve and enters 2002 behind Doxsey at defensive end.

The linebacker corps was hit hard by the loss of Steve Smith to graduation. Smith ended his career with 146 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 9½ sacks and six interceptions. Combine this loss with the many faces that played at the other outside linebacker position and the Saints have to replace two out of three starters here.

One thing that helps is the return of senior Nick Rice at middle linebacker. Along with Salmons, these two serve as the anchor in the middle of the Saints' defense. Rice and Salmons have played together for two consecutive seasons now, the first coming in 1999 when Rice was on the defensive line before moving to linebacker prior to the 2000 season.

A two-year captain, Rice is primed for his final season. He enters 2002 with 193 tackles, 40 for loss and 15½ sacks. Also, he set new all-time strength records for linebackers in the power clean (385 pounds) and overall three-lift total (1,335 pounds) earlier in the spring. Rice also brings a wealth of experience to the position, having started in all 32 games since his arrival at Thomas More.

There are six returnees at linebacker competing for the two openings. The leading candidates to join Rice are juniors Chad Kelley and Craig Spite. Kelley played in all 12 games last season while starting four of those. He had 24 tackles, two for loss and one sack. Spite totaled five tackles and saw action in eight games last season. Another player who will undoubtedly be a contender after having made the transition from the defensive backfield will be senior Chuck Ogbogu. Ogbogu, the brother of Cincinnati Bengal defensive end Eric Ogbogu, is a strong and quick player who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds and who can bench 355 pounds and squat over 500 pounds.

The most notable changes on the roster this season can be seen in the defensive secondary, which had a school-record 16 interceptions in 2001. Gone from a year ago are the program's all-time leader in interceptions, Eric Fette (19). He was a four-year starter and four-time recipient of the Defensive Back of the Year award. Also gone is freshman Peete Davis who finished fourth on the team in tackles with 56 in 2001. He also had three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, including a 90-yarder against Bluffton.

However, the Saints will welcome back senior Tim Nieman and junior Dante Flanigan. Nieman is a three-year starter at strong safety who has led the team in pass breakups in two of his three seasons. He currently has 32 for his career. Not just a threat against the opposition's pass attack, Nieman also has 119 career tackles, including 13 for loss and five sacks. Flanigan has been a two-year starter at cornerback and has the speed and athleticism to cover bigger receivers despite his height. Also a good open-field tackler, he had 37 tackles in 2001 to complement two interceptions and seven breakups.

Two other players who have seen a lot of action in the secondary are junior Carl Johnson and sophomore Jimmy Adams. Both were in Thomas More's dime package last season. Johnson had 28 tackles and one interception while Adams totaled 14 tackles and also had one interception.

Sophomore Bryan Purcell is also expected to make an impact this season. Purcell is slated as the reserve at both cornerback positions behind Flanigan and Adams. Nieman will make the move to free safety this season to replace Fette.

Due to the loss of some key personnel, special teams will feature some new players in new positions. The Saints must replace returner Peete Davis who returned 33 punts (8.8 yard average) and 13 kickoffs (24.3 average) last season.

Not to be forgotten, Justin Frisk showed the ability to return kicks as he had nine returns for 259 yards, a 28.8 average.

Thomas More will see the return of junior Jeff Runion, whose 98 kicking points are the second highest in program history. Runion also took over the punting duties. A newcomer expected to compete for the starting kicker duties is freshman transfer Andy Heinl, who redshirted at Akron last season. Heading into the preseason, the question of who will handle the punting duties is still unanswered.

The 2002 schedule is highlighted by a five game home schedule that features rematch of last year's second round playoff game with Wittenberg.

Maryville (2-8 in 2001)
Maryville enters its 110th year of football with a very young and talented football team. The big test will be six road games, against some very good NCAA Division III programs. Coach Phil Wilks will find out early in the season if these young men will be able to handle the pressure of playing away and traveling.

A good problem for the Scots will be in the backfield. There are talented players at all the positions. Sophomore Bart Gloyd (57-for-114, seven touchdowns, four interceptions) along with B.J. Wilhite, the starter until he was injured in the first game last season, will head the quarterbacks returning from a year ago. Newcomer Nick Derry will also provide the Scots with a strong arm and add to the depth at the position. Tailbacks Chris Dodge (Sr.), DeJuan Hathaway (Jr.), and Richard Burchfield (So.) return to provide plenty of depth when Maryville wants to run the ball. Ryan Alexander (So.) and Adam Carrianger (So.) look to have the inside edge at fullback. Both young men are aggressive and have the ability to run the ball.

Having lost four receivers from last years squad, the Scots will be looking toward Zach Mendence, a senior receiver that will be starting for his third season. Kyle Harris (So.) and Gary Patterson (Jr.) are two wideouts that return with plenty of ability and experience. Add Jeff O'Quinn (Fr.), Bradley Childress, and Keith Sharpe and there is a great deal of talented depth to help the passing game.

Tight end Brian Lidgard (So.) is a returning player the Scots are excited about. Along with Dustin Jones (Fr.), Ryan Roberts (So.), and Joe Campbell (Jr.). They will make a solid contribution to the offense.

The offensive line was hit hard by graduation, but there are some fine young players that received some playing time last season. Jake Harville (Sr.) is the lone returning starter. Derrick Williams (Sr.), Bruce Winbigler (So.), and Nick Taylor (So.) have all seen action for the Scots. Add Charlie Myers (Fr.) and newcomer Adam Billings to the mix and Maryville will have one of the biggest lines in recent history.

Defensively the Scots were very young last season and will remain young again this season. Both starting corners return. Clayton Hightower (So.) and Cody Bowers (So.) played very well as the season progressed last year. Justin Lynn (Fr.) moves from receiver to help give Maryville additional help at the corner position. Bray Maxwell (So.) and Ryan Pearce (Sr.) both played a free-safety and will be counted upon to perform this season. Jared Cruze (So.) and Eddie Mendence (So.) are two talented athletes with speed that will also be looked upon to help provide Maryville with additional help in the secondary.

Brian Howdeshell (Sr.) and Matt Keck (So.) are the only two returning players at the outside linebacker position. They both have playing experience and will be counted on to step up this season.

Linebacker could be a very string position. Steven Mitchell (So.), Josh Whitehead (So.), and Michael Werner (So.) all started and played last season. Morgan Shinlever (Sr.) will also return after a season ending injury early last season. There should be plenty of competition for playing time among these linebackers.

Brian White (Sr.) is the lone starter returning from last season's defensive line. Kevin Eggleston (So.), Wayne Ruffin (Sr.), and Waylon Howell (So.) will all see planty of action. Britton Leitch has moved from linebackers and should help with his strength and quickness, as will Joe Fitzgerald (Fr.) who returns after a season ending injury i pre-season camp last season. Tyler Humbert (So.), Wade Knapper (So.), and Robert Spurling also return to add depth to the defensive front.

One of the bright spots for Maryville during the past two seasons was punter Doug Loomis. He provides the Scots with a powerful weapon when called upon. Brad Pesterfield (So.) will assume the kicking duties and should provide the Scots with a solid kicking game.

If the young players continue to improve, excel on the road, and play as a team, this could be an exciting year for Maryville's 110th season. Summer camp and getting off to a good start will be the first two parts to the puzzle.

Colorado College (3-6 in 2001)
After posting just eight victories during the previous three years, Colorado College is determined to have a winning season in 2002. And with 35 upperclassmen providing the leadership, the optimistic Tigers are committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve their goal.

Last season was supposed to be a turning point for the program, but a rash of injuries prevented CC from being as competitive as it should have been. The Tigers lost both of their starting quarterbacks for part of the season, starters on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as their offensive and defensive rookies of the year from the 2000 campaign. But last year's injuries mean more experience and depth for a program that is looking for its first winning record since 1993.

"I'm real excited about the leadership that has developed over the last seven or eight months," head coach Greg Polnasek says. "We'll return more than 30 juniors and seniors, which is outstanding for our program."

When you talk about leaders on a football team, the natural starting point is at quarterback. Fortunately for the Tigers, they have two natural leaders who have the ability to direct the offense. But that is where their similarity ends. Junior Jay Macias is an option quarterback who also can throw. Senior Jason Webb is a dropback passer who can stretch a defense with his strong arm.

Their competition for the starting position was short-lived last year, with Webb suffering a broken thumb on his passing hand the week of the season opener. Not to be outdone, Macias missed two contests with a broken foot, but did return to play in the final two games of the season. The Tigers hope to take advantage of the diversity that a two-quarterback system offers.

"They both could end up being very involved in our system," Polnasek says. "They are both very gifted athletes that bring a lot to our team."

"The great thing about our offense is that we have great versatility. We're a pro-style offense, so we can attack anywhere on the line with our running game and we can attack on the perimeter with our passing game. And based on where we identify the weaknesses in a defense, we can adjust our attack on a game-by game basis."

A constant in the CC game plan will be senior tailback Paul Sage, who led the team in rushing and scoring as a freshman and as a junior, and has rushed for more than 1,500 yards in three years. If not for an injury-plagued sophomore campaign in which he played just three games, he might already have surpassed the 2,000-yard and 100-point plateaus. Sage is a scoring threat every time he has the ball, which is why the coaching staff plans to get him as many touches as possible this season.

"We're real excited about Paul Sage," Polansek says. "He's our most elusive player, so you might see him on kickoff and punt returns. We like to get him the ball 20 times per game because he's going to do good things."

A primary concern during the pre-season will be finding a backup to Sage. Sophomore Charlie Harms rushed for 256 yards last year, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, but has been fighting through a series of injuries during the offseason. Two incoming freshmen, Ryan Trujillo and Gabriel Brown, have impressive credentials, but must adjust to the collegiate game.

"We're waiting to see about Charlie Harms, who has had a tough off-season with injuries," Polansek says. "We're looking for him to run a little more tailback this year. We are not as deep with upperclasssmen as I would like, but there are some freshmen coming in that will help us this fall. Jarred Adamson is the incumbent at fullback. He has really stepped it up for his senior year and he'll be the guy to beat out."

Depth is not an issue on the offensive line, where four of five starters and their backups return. The loss of three-year starter Levi Heidrich to graduation is offset by the return of junior Zach Van Hilsen, the 2000 offensive rookie of the year, who missed all of last year with an injury. Van Hilsen and three-year starter Mike Bredenberg will anchor the left side of the line, while sophomore David Ramirez returns for his second season as the starting center.

On the right side, junior Patrick Tolley started all nine games at tackle and junior Jonathan McGee finished the season at guard. Senior Justin Nelson and junior Kiel Smith will challenge for playing time on the right side and at the very least will provide solid depth at both of the guard and tackle positions.

"The offensive line are the most important positions," Polnasek says. "As our offensive line gets better, the perimeter players will be able to do things with the football. Mike Bredenberg has been starting at left guard since the day he stepped on campus and I look for him to be the leader of the group this year. We feel that with our drop-back game, the left side of the line is real important, and we really like having Van Hilsen over there.

"We've got two seniors and the rest are underclassmen, but I like are toughness in that group. Pat Tolley started all nine games at right tackle and we look for him to return there. We're going to have a battle between Justin Nelson and Jonathan McGee at the right guard position. The two of them had a good offseason and I think that position will be won during two-a-days. David Ramirez started all nine games at center last year. Kiel Smith will give us good depth at guard and tackle."

An area of concern on the offensive side of the ball is the receivers, where the Tigers must replace Andy Cornell and Tim Wolfmeyer, who combined for 60 receptions and nine touchdowns last fall. Cornell was also the team's primary return man on punts and kickoffs, and led the team with 1,164 all-purpose yards.

The most experienced of the group are senior wide receiver Craig Wirt, who averaged more than 10 yards per catch on 15 receptions, and senior tight end Bill Craig, who had five catches and one touchdown. Seniors Chris Clarke and Mike Reed, along with junior Conor Hallisy, are short on experience but will bring speed to the group.

"The receiving corps is in real good shape," Polnasek says. "Any time you lose a receiver of the caliber of Andy Cornell, it's a big void to fill. But I'm really excited about what this group can give us. We don't have as many catches as I would like in game situations, but they run good routes as a group.

"Craig Wirt is our top returning receiver. Bill Craig is an anchor there and he has set all kinds of records in the weight room with his size and strength. Mike Reed set several track and field records last year. Chris Clarke has been a solid backup for three years and Conor Hallisy is a local player who was out of football for a couple of years, and he's really excited about being a key player."

On the defensive side of the ball, the holes are a little bigger and more numerous. CC must replace its two leading tacklers from a year ago, four members of the secondary and one defensive lineman whose presence in the middle at times consumed as many as three offensive linemen.

Despite the loss of two starters and two reserves in the defensive backfield, that may be an area of strength by the time the season begins. Leading the group of returning players are senior free safety Robert Silvas and senior cornerback Chineson Ejiasa, both two-year starters. Silvas has been among the team's leaders in tackles the last two seasons and has 109 for his career. Ejiasa is one of the team's top cover men and led the Tigers with four interceptions in 2001.

Two players that were used as backups last season, sophomore Matt Monroe and junior Luke Foley, will be among a group of three trying to secure the other starting positions in the secondary. They will be joined by junior Patrick Martinez, who played quarterback and running back his first two campaigns.

"Robert Silvas and Chinesom Ejiasa are our two returning starters in the defensive backfield, and we're going to lean on them an awful lot," Polnasek says. "Silvas is the quarterback of our defense. This will be his third year starting at safety, and we'll look for him to anchor the secondary. Ejiasa led our team interceptions last year and will hit you as hard as anyone on our team.

"Matt Monroe is a great open-field tackler. He has great closing speed and he makes plays out there. He was tough in practice all last year and now is his chance to step into the defensive backfield. Pat Martinez has got great foot speed and quickness, and we think that's where he's going to be able to help our football team the most."

There will be two new faces at linebacker this year, filling the void created by the graduation of the team's two leading tacklers, Jacob Stark and Jackson Latka. Senior Chuck May is an incumbent in the middle, and he will likely be joined by Evan Dougherty, who missed all of last season while rehabilitating a knee injury. Sophomore Tafari Lumumba may claim the outside position because of his speed and athleticism, while senior Joe Dykes, juniors Robert Franklin and Adam Smith, and sophomore Adam York are also in the mix.

"I like our linebacking corps," Polnasek says. "Evan Dougherty, who as freshman was a part-time starter and had four interceptions, returns after sitting out because he did not recover from knee surgery as quickly as we would have liked. It's going to be real competitive. We will play between three and five linebackers at one time or another."

The defensive line returns intact, except for a rather large hole created by the graduation of Menelek Lumumba. Fortunately for CC, seniors Jake Dovenspike and Erik Speicher, and juniors Alex Hinojos and Nick Mogno return. All three were among the team's leading tacklers and excel in an attacking style of defense that CC will be playing this season. Sophomore Ryan Markham will provide depth, as will junior Ernesto Barnabas, who moved from the offensive to defensive line in 2001.

"We're going to have to attack and be versatile," Polnasek says. "Any time that you return players like Nick Mogno, Alex Hinojos, Erik Speicher and Jake Dovenspike on the defensive line, you're going to give people trouble. Ernesto Barnabas has made a nice transition from the offensive to the defensive line. I like his attitude and work ethic, and he really gives us some depth that will allow us to move Nick Mogno around.

"Even though we graduated several starters, we feel like we've got some good experience returning. Our defensive plan is always going to be attack and react."

The Tigers open their 2002 season on Sept. 7 against Cornell College, one of five new opponents on the schedule. This year's homecoming game will be played Oct. 12 vs. Claremont College, while the season wraps up with Lakeland on Nov. 16.

"As an independent, we are challenged to find opponents that are similar to us academically and athletically," Polnasek says. "I really like the way our schedule came together. We're playing some outstanding programs again, like Occidental College which finished 8-1 and just missed the national playoffs. Rhodes College is perennially one of the top teams in the South, and Lewis & Clark has had a nice run lately.

"We open the season with Cornell College, which finished 7-3 last year in the always tough Iowa Conference, and we excited about the two-year contract we have with them."

Menlo (8-2 in 2001)
The numbers are astounding: 110 players, 75 of whom are new. The 2001 team that went 8-2 graduated 17 players, so familiarity and familiar faces could be few and far between. "Offensively, this is one of the most talented groups that we have ever brought here," commented second-year head coach Mark Kaanapu. "The key to that will be how quickly everyone picks up on the system and how well they mesh together."

The coaching staff has assembled a group of talented quarterbacks in what proved to be the tightest race in preseason camp. The holdovers from last year's team include junior Dylan Kruse and redshirt freshman Jason Romano, with Kruse seeing action in two games, completing 15 passes for 105 yards. Two newcomers, junior Ferni Garza and Frank Borba are also expected to challenge for snaps this year.

"The three new quarterbacks on this year's team (Borba, Garza, and freshman Kyle Kupiec) are very athletic and are balanced by the knowledge and savvy of our two returning play callers," said Kaanapu.

Number wise, the Oaks are loaded in the running game. The one constant of the offensive unit that returns from last season is running back Duane Miller. Miller, who rushed for 657 yards last season, will be joined in the backfield with Kinoa Rudolfo. Sophomore AB Eugenio returns while transfer Ian Jeter adds depth to a talented group.

With 17 offensive linemen to choose from, Kaanpau has the luxury of putting in someone from a group that averages 6-3 and 285 lbs. "This is by far the largest number of players and the biggest collection of lineman we have ever had at the school," Kaanapu said. Paving the way for the running game and adding protection is a talented group of transfers, led by Charlie Dutra, Joe Maiale and Joe Baker. Others to keep an eye on are Will Gandy, Mike Lawrence, Sal Munoz, Jake Oliver and Mike Serrano.

At tight end, the duo of Vinny Benedett and Dan Dalby return. Because of the relative youth among the wide receivers, Benedett and Dalby are being depended upon by the coaching staff to produce big plays.

The Oaks lost much of their wide receiving crew to graduation last year, but Russ Fukushima, who caught three touchdowns last season, will return and is expected to be joined by junior college transfers Titan Mann and Andre O'Neil. Joining the transfers are Elia Akau and Scott Russell, each of whom saw extensive time last season as wideouts.

While the offense might be in question, the Oaks look strong on defense. On the line, returning starters Patrick Thomas and Duane Sherry are poised to build on last year's impressive season. Sherry, a four-year member of the Oaks who recorded 20 total tackles, will also be an important member of Menlo's special teams unit. Thomas started all 10 games last year on his way to 16½ tackles for the year. Joining them from last year's team are Kalani Saliga, Josh Morrow and David French. "The group that returns has had a year of seasoning and will be ready to step up and produce for us this year," commented Kaanapu. "To bolster our defensive unit, we brought in some exciting players who will make an immediate impact on opposing teams."

Among the new faces who could make an impact on the defensive line are Billy Pahulu, Jason Livengood, and Brian Rafferty. One point to watch is senior Dempsey Davis, who is moving from the offensive side of the ball as the fullback to the defensive line.

The linebackers graduated two key members (Justin Weaver & Jerome Robinson), but Daryln Gross and his 28½ total tackles returns, and will be counted on heavily. Joining him this season is John Lawrence.

The Oaks' secondary, which recorded 16 interceptions, appears to be the most experienced group on this year's team, in terms of game experience. Brandon Springer, who was sixth on the team in total tackles last year and led the team with six interceptions, will anchor the group. Senior Mana Cambra played in nine games last season, recording 20 tackles and will be supported by sophomores Paul Doherty and Kainoa Kaaihili, as well as junior Dwayne Eison.

Brockport State (9-2 in 2001)
The best way for a team to really get to spend extra time together is to be away from home, away from campus. Road games provide challenges of playing on an "enemy" field, sure, but they also provide a chance for a team to gel and get familiar with each other. It also helps new players in new roles. So, while there are a lot of questions surrounding the 2002 Brockport State football team, there could be a lot of answers as well. Coach Rocco Salomone has elevated the program to the point that it is gunning for a third consecutive NCAA playoff bid. Many of the key contributors for the last two postseason teams, and players who have won 23 of the last 24 regular season games and 17 in the past two seasons, have moved on. Yet, the players who are stepping in have seen the wars and have practiced along side these vets and stars. They have good memories, they are good learners, and now are ready to step in to continue the successful tradition that is Golden Eagle football.

"There are a lot of unknowns on defense," said Salomone, "but I think there is a lot of potential on this side of the ball for us."

The Golden Eagles will be strong at tackle with a pair of returning key veterans. The end positions will be determined in camp and early in the season. At tackle, Brockport is strong with Ryan Bierley and Mike Condello. The pair of tackles average 280 up front. The two players each were second on the team with nine tackles for losses in 2001. At end, there will be a focus on quickness and speed for the players who emerge in those positions.
"We have a mix of solid veterans at the tackle positions. Bierley and Condello are potentially two top players for us. We do have young players at the end positions. Our speed will be much better on our outside pass rush with the new players at end."

Brockport loses an All-American linebacker in Jay Johnson, last year's athlete of the year at SUNY Brockport. Yet, there is not too much concern here because of the quality of talent that returns for this fall's edition. Seniors Mike Dumaw, Cecil Irby and Tim Stewart are just two of the many returning players to highlight this group. Dumaw was second to Johnson with his 61 tackles in 2001, and also had two interceptions with six tackles for losses. One of the picks was an 80-yard return for a TD. Stewart is the second leading tackler among returnees with 40, including seven for losses last fall. Irby had 39 tackles a year ago.

"There are a lot of good players at linebacker for us. Some guys will be battling for spots. Losing Jay, one of best players in history of our program, is tough, but we have some very good players here. We will move some people around. The overall speed should be improved this year."

Speed and quickness are two very key ingredients for a successful secondary at any level in football. Such is indeed the case at SUNY Brockport, and those areas will be the focus in camp for the defensive backs. Returning starter Jeremy Lynch led all Golden Eagles with five interceptions and also deflected three other passes. The brother tandem of Brian and Mark Ferry should be factors in the backfield this fall, and Derrick O'Konski and Troy Anderson could also make "quick" impressions on opposing receivers.
"I look at the speed factor. Our corners will be very quick. Our safety position should be improved in this area. But, there is inexperience, it is always a question going into a season. We will be anxious to see how these guys are going to gel, how they will perform come game time if they have not had game experience in previous seasons."

Like the loss of Johnson for the linebacking unit, the offensive line takes a hit this season. In fact, it is the second consecutive year that a stud up front has graduated. Two years ago, Josh Warner (who won a championship with the World League's Berlin Thunder this spring) finished up, and last season, Andy Mattoon took over and earned postseason honors. But each season has seemed to produce new stars for the O line. Players to watch up front this year include Ed Jaskulski and Tully Rosemark, a pair of seniors who learned from the stars of the past and who return as starters for their senior seasons.

"I think we have a good core back, we have some young players and some veterans who have paid their dues and are ready to step in and fill some shoes. We have veterans and also some inexperienced players who have been in our program a year or two who will need to step up. We have some very good, young, talented offensive linemen in our program. Experience is all that is lacking entering the season."

Both of last season's rushing leaders are gone, but the third top rusher returns and happens to play quarterback. The tailback position will be interesting to watch, not just early in camp but also during the season. Jason Shelley and Adam Webster are the leading returning players who could emerge in the role. Shelley had 160 yards and Webster 152 in last season's playoff year. Yet, some transfers and freshmen recruits may also impress and see some action coveting the pigskin. Ben Bullock and Billy Spalik return at the fullback position, one of the most veteran-laden positions.

"Our fullbacks are all back, veterans who we feel good about. Our tailback position is up in the air entering camp. Jason and Adam give us experienced players here. We have some very good freshmen recruits. I'm not sure how much time they will get."

Last season, Bob Darnley's rookie year was one for the ages. Not many times does a freshman quarterback lead a team to a playoff. Not many times does a freshman quarterback post the ninth-best passing yardage season in school history. Not many times does a freshman quarterback go 11 quarters with 70 passes without throwing an interception. Darnley tossed for 1,064 yards, 11 TDs, a 49.4% completion rate, and also ran for 369 net yards. His nine rushing touchdowns led all players. He has the versatility and now the experience (and postseason experience) to take his teammates to another level.

"I think that any team that has a returning starting quarterback, especially one who had a successful previous season, is always a plus. We are looking forward to seeing Bob's improvement on a daily and game-by-game basis. Hopefully his career will continue to improve and flourish."

Wide receivers will get tremendous scrutiny in camp and as the season develops. The top two receivers from last season, who combined for 857 yards, 65 receptions and eight touchdowns, are both gone. One however, Tony Streb, is on the coaching staff and will now be able to provide his expertise and knowledge to the new breed of Golden Eagle receivers.

Jeremy Lockhart was third on the squad last year with 160 yards and 12.3 per catch. Watch for Darin Brady, who had 51 yards and nearly 13 per catch, to also improve on his numbers and improve with more opportunities in an important role.

"We lost both our starting receivers, however I do think we have some potentially very good players here in the program. They have waited their turn, worked hard and had a solid offseason. The potential is there to be very good, but we'll have to see how they come along."

It was not that long ago that there were question marks concerning the kicking and punting game. And they were answered by Todd Freelove, who had a tremendous season in both areas. He made 31 of 35 point afters and also had a 56-yard field goal during the season. Now, the questions arise again. But Coach Salomone and the staff feel confident that there are people in place who can step up and kick away any concerns about these two positions.

"We lost an All-American. But we have two talented, solid kickers who are here, who will compete for both positions. Mike Laney and Marc Menchetti are quality players who can fill those roles. We will put them in game situations in camp to prepare them for the season."

The return team can snatch momentum from one sideline to another. Such was the case last year for the Golden Eagles, as there were many momentum shifts back to the Brockport side thanks to the efforts of the return team. Jeremy Lynch and Adam Webster each averaged just under 20 yards per kick return, and Lynch had a 46-yard return during the season. He also averaged over 10 yards per punt return with 376 yards to combine with his 317 kick return yards.

"At one point, Jeremy led the Upstate New York schools in punt returns. I think we are very close to being a real threat in our return games. It is another part of the game that we would like to use to score with if we can."

For a team to be truly prepared to play the best in the playoffs, it must provide itself challenges during the regular season. SUNY Brockport continues to provide the football squad with a top caliber schedule, filled with tests that help the Golden Eagles to be considered for selection to the post-season. SUNY Brockport is an independent, so the strength of schedule is imperative for it to be looked upon in mid-November. This year's schedule provides more opportunities in this vein. Brockport opens up at Cortland, where the Red Dragons will unveil a spanking new stadium, so the test begins right off the bat. En route to the NCAA semifinals, Ithaca did not stumble often last year yet will look for revenge after a wild and wooly rare home loss to the Golden Eagles. Perennial playoff participants Buffalo State, the College of New Jersey and Wesley also await. And, most importantly, the first four dates are all away from Special Olympics Stadium. So, this team will truly familiarize itself with daunting tasks week in and week out in September. And come November, there will be answers.

"Every year it seems like we play a number of top quality teams. An obvious concern is the four road games that we open with. We have a couple of long trips to make with new players who may not be used to having to make those trips and perform on an opponent's field. But I do feel we have a number of veterans who have been through consecutive trips early in the season."

Chapman (3-6 in 2001)
In a display of pride unseen at Chapman since the university renewed its football program in 1994, Panther football players wore their proud new cardinal and white uniforms to and from classes on the Chapman campus all day Friday. High schoolish? Some might say. A statement? Definitely.

“The captains came to me and asked if the team could wear their jerseys on Fridays,” says head coach Ken Visser, who is in his ninth season at the helm of Orange County’s only four-year college football program. “I said ‘absolutely’. It has never been done here before.”

The statement is reflective of changing attitude in and around this football program that is centered on a long-term goal of building a strong football program. The Panthers are in the third year of a rebuilding phase that has centered on one thing – freshman recruiting. The immediate results haven’t always equaled W’s on the field, but Visser is encouraged by what the long-term results might bring.

“We got 22 freshman recruits last year and another 20 this year,” says Visser, who is 37-34-1 in eight years at Chapman. “If we get another 25 next year and our ultimate goal of 30 the year after that then we’ve got a 100-man roster. You can do a lot with those kind of numbers.”

The difference in last year’s team was considerable. Visser took a team that was 2-7 in 2000 – which included losses to Menlo, 70-28 and Cal Lutheran, 59-27 – and improved them to 3-6 in 2001 – which included just an eight-point loss to Cal Lutheran and a five-point loss to Thomas More, which ranked in the Top 25 in the country much of the year.

The offense, which averaged over 379 yards and 24.1 points per game returns several key components including sophomore quarterback Patrick Josten and senior tailback John Sanders. The duo combined for 2,638 yards of total offense in 2001 and nearly 300 yards per game in the option. Visser has also been pleased with the progress of freshman wide receiver A.J. Herrera, who could become a favorite target of Josten’s.

“We are improved on offense,” says Visser. “We are a year older and a year more mature.”

Despite the loss of some key defenders to injuries, etc., the defense will play a vital role in the success of the team. The Panthers return each of their two leading tacklers from a year ago in senior cornerback Richard Herrera, who had 64 tackles and one interception, and senior linebacker Donnie Hohman, who recorded 63 tackles. Also, in a switch that will allow the Panthers to play to their strengths, Visser and defensive coordinator Dave Bishop have changed the makeup of the traditional 4-3 defense and will use three down linemen and four linebackers.

“We needed to adapt to the personnel that we have,” says Visser. “This will allow us to be more flexible with our already strong secondary.”

A test in stamina will certainly become a factor as the taxes of a 10-game, no bye-week schedule take their toll. The Panthers, who have never played a 10-game schedule will face two Top 25 teams in Pacific Lutheran and Thomas More, as well as SCIAC powerhouse Redlands and independent rival Menlo.

“It is a challenging schedule,” says Visser. “There are going to be those bumps and bruises that just won’t heal. That’s when someone’s going to have to step up and rise to the occasion. We haven’t backed down from any team we’ve ever played.”

Back to D3football.com