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

KELLEY, WILLEY NAMED TO NEW ENGLAND WRITERS' TEAM

MEDFORD - Tufts University offensive guard and senior co-captain Mike Willey (Sherborn, MA/Dover-Sherborn) and junior running back Keven Kelley (Natick, MA/Natick) have been named to the prestigious 2001 New England Football Writers' Division II-III All-Star Team. They were among 28 players selected out of the four Division II and Division III conferences in the New England region.

A four-year starter, Willey anchored an offensive line that often dominated opposing defenses this past season. The 2001 Jumbos gained 227 yards rushing per game, including two 300-yard games: 315 versus Wesleyan on Sept. 22 in the season-opener, and 340 versus Bates on Sept. 29. Prior to the Wesleyan contest, the Jumbos had not reached the 300-yard plateau since 1995. According to the November 10 Official NCAA Statistics, Tufts was ranked 21st in the country in rushing offense. The offensive line also gave up only 10 sacks in 2001, the fewest allowed in over seven years.

Returning from a two-year hiatus, Kelley was the most direct beneficiary of the cohesion in Willey's offensive line. He set a new school record of 1,079 rushing yards in a season, surpassing the 13-year old mark of 1,070 by Paul Dresens in 1988. He was at times nearly unstoppable with his power and speed in the open field. Many of his yards came after an initial hit, muscling through multiple defenders. Kelley led the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) with 134.9 rushing yards per game, nearly 30 yards per game better than Chris Weeden of Hamilton, who finished second in the conference with 855 total yards (106.9 per game). Kelley also led all NESCAC running backs with eight touchdowns.

Both Kelley and Willey were also named to the 2001 All-NESCAC First Team last week. In addition, Willey was selected to play for the 2001 USA Aztec Bowl team. The 40-man squad was chosen among all NCAA Division III football players, and will travel to Saltillo, Mexico, to play against an all-star team of Mexican college players on December 15. Willey was an All-NESCAC Second Team pick in 2000.

Head Coach Bill Samko's Jumbos finished 6-2 this fall. They were ranked eighth in the final ECAC New England Division III poll.

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