To: College Sports (Football)

Written by Michael Douglas
Date: Monday, November 26, 2001

FOOTBALL'S MIKE WILLEY TO PLAY IN 2001 AZTEC BOWL

MEDFORD - Tufts University offensive lineman and senior co-captain Mike Willey (Sherborn, MA/Dover-Sherborn) has been selected to play for the 2001 USA Aztec Bowl team. The 40-man squad was chosen among all NCAA Division III football players, and the team will travel to Saltillo, Mexico, to play against an all-star team of Mexican college players on December 15.

Willey anchored an offensive line that often dominated opposing defenses this past season. The Jumbos gained 227 yards rushing per game, including two 300-yard games (315 versus Wesleyan on Sept. 22 and 340 versus Bates on Sept. 29). Tufts was ranked 21st in the country in rushing offense according to the November 10 NCAA Statistics. Junior running back Keven Kelley (Natick, MA/Natick) set a new Tufts record with 1,079 yards this year behind the line.

"I think it will be a great experience for Mike," Head Coach Bill Samko said. "It's well deserved. His ability on the field speaks for itself, but he was also one of the best captains I've ever had in the locker room. It's great that he can cap his career this way."

Willey was named to the 2001 All-NESCAC First Team and to the prestigious New England Football Writers' Division II-III Team last week. A four-year starter, the 6-4, 297-pounder was an All-NESCAC Second Team pick in 2000.

Willey is a Mechanical Engineering major with a grade point average better than 3.0.

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