2002 TUFTS UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PREVIEW

On paper, the Tufts University football team looks just as good as last year when it won six games. On the field is where they'll have to prove it, beginning today against the Hamilton Continentals.

There were more injuries in the preseason than the coaching staff likes to see, but the team enters the new year with high hopes. Here is a closer look at the 2002 Jumbos on offense and defense. Next week's game program will feature a story on the play of the special teams.

DEFENSE

The Jumbos allowed just 10.4 points per game last year, the fourth lowest in the nation. Only three regulars from that group are gone: lineman Everett Dickerson, linebacker Scott Mittenthal and cornerback Howie Rock. Second-year coordinator John Walsh implemented a system that the kids love to play. It will again be a relatively young group, with potentially only two senior starters.

"Our saying is ‘stay hungry,'" Walsh said. "Don't take anything for granted. People have had time to study our defense a little more, so it's not a brand new defense to our guys and to the rest of the guys we're playing. We have to be relentless, stay attacking, and everyone has to play their role."

Defensive Line: All-NESCAC pick Caleb Hudak was elected a tri-captain for his junior season this fall, an indication of his strong play. Senior Matt Keller has size in the middle and has shown more quickness this season. Sophomores Rich Aronson and Chris Lawrence were competing for the other starting role in the pre-season. Classmates Jarret Moore and John Hooson could also become part of a rotation here.

Defensive Ends: The emergence of Reid Palmer, Jay Hirsh and Brian Burbank as playmakers last fall was a key to the defense's success. All three did a great job in the off-season getting ready mentally and physically for this year. Freshmen Aaron Rouleau and Sean Mullin look to contribute right away. Justin Nottingham provides a senior leadership role and pass rushing skill. This group has to be physical run stoppers and athletic pass defenders.

Linebackers: Returning starter Sean Kennedy is 100-percent better than he was last year, Walsh said. He knows the defense better, he's one of the fastest guys on the team, and his leadership relieves some of the pressure of losing Mittenthal. The team added quality newcomers, including Northeastern transfer Gaetan Kashala, a 6'2", 230-pounder who's been strong stopping the run. Freshman Robert Borny was expected to play, but was injured during the scrimmage at Wesleyan last week. Freshman Zack Dumas has also been hurt, and classmate Mike McCann is another new player with talent. Senior Matt DePaolis started games last year and had a huge interception during a win at Colby. Sophomore Jack Byrne is also in the mix.

Defensive Backs: The depth and speed of this hard-hitting group could make it one of the league's best. At safety, returning starters Jorge Rodriguez and Drew Blewett are joined by juniors Mike Leist, who was hurt last year, and Greg Hamilton. Any of those four could start. The staff has liked what they've seen out of freshman Pat Magoon at free safety. Senior tri-captain Evan Zupancic, junior Mark Tilki and sophomore Donovan Brown are an outstanding threesome at cornerback. Sophomore Tunjie Williams adds depth at both positions.

After freight train running back Keven Kelley gained 1,079 yards last season, setting a new Tufts record, the perception in the pre-season was that the team would have to alter its offense now that he's gone. The Jumbos passed the ball barely 14 times a game last year. The reality is that the team will still concentrate on controlling the ball and running the clock, just with different personnel giving them different options to do so.

Overshadowed by the strong performance on defense, the offense was third in the New England Small College Athletic Conference with 176 points last year. All-American guard Mike Willey and fullback Steve Lapham graduated, but the unit boasts plenty of experience.

"Our philosophy is to win," offensive coordinator Mike Daly said. "We have great special teams and an outstanding defense, so from a team standpoint we don't want to turn the ball over and we want to stay with high percentage stuff. We're going to do whatever it takes to win ballgames and if it's run the ball or throwing the ball, that's the philosophy."

Quarterback: Scott Treacy returns as the starter and brings leadership and the ability to direct the offense with his feet. His quickness on the ground can set up opportunities through the air. Sophomore Jay Casey, more of a thrower, has a win under his belt after taking over for an injured Treacy in last year's 20-6 victory over Middlebury. The coaching staff is very excited with the pre-season play of 6'4", 220-pound freshman Casey D'Annolfo.

Running Backs: McGraw showed that he can hit the home run last year, including a 59-yard scamper for a touchdown on the second play of the game at Williams. He's also an excellent pass receiver coming out of the backfield and led the team in catches last fall. Sophomore Steve Cincotta looks to play the role McGraw had

behind Kelley last year. Sophomore Mathew McMillan, who bounced between tight end and full back last season, is a 6'1", 215-pound pile-mover who could give the team some running between the tackles. Junior Matt Malatesta is a new starter at fullback who showed plenty of toughness in the spring playing the entire lacrosse season with a broken shoulder.

Offensive Line: The loss of Willey and hard-nosed guard Jim Higgins left two spots to fill. Senior Sean Casey came on at the end of last year and will start at center. That allows last year's center Justin Kelley, a junior starting for the third year, to move to a more natural position for him at guard and fill in for Willey. At the other guard, sophomore Dave Hatch is a new starter. Tackles Andrew Dickerson and Adam Collette can dominate at times. Seniors Amos Winter and Todd Brown back up at guard, while sophomores Ben Bloom, Phil Oates and Sam Bardo are ready to start contributing.

Tight End: With junior Ryan Papi and sophomore Chris Roy, the offense is excited about employing some two-tight end sets. Papi has been the prototype tight end, able to get down the field and catch the ball, block in space and block guys in his face. Roy is athletically gifted enough to play wideout for the team.

Wide Receivers: Senior Bryan Pitko, who averaged 25.8 yards on 10 catches last year, is out for at least three weeks. Juniors Matt Cerne, the team's leading receiver as a freshman who missed six games with an injury last fall, and Tim Mack are playmakers who the coaches want to get the ball to enough times. Sophomores D.J. Proulx and Kevin Holland are coming along and will see some field time.