Friday, November 19, 2004
Written by Paul Higbie

FIVE JUMBOS NAMED TO ALL-NESCAC FOOTBALL TEAMS

MEDFORD-- The Tufts University Football team's season may be over after a disappointing 2-6 reocrd, but some players were recognized individually this week when five Jumbos were named to the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) All-Conference Teams.

Freshman Adam Arsenault (Everett, MA/Everett) received perhaps the greatest honor of anyone in the quintet with not only a spot on the Second Team defense, but also being named Defensive Rookie of the Year.  In his first season Arsenault filled the linebacker position for Tufts in all eight games.  He was one of the Jumbos' leading tacklers with 52 on the season, 25 solo and 27 with help.  He had a season-high 11 tackles twice, in the opener against Wesleyan on September 25 and at Amherst on October 30.

Senior offensive lineman and quad-captain Dave Hatch (Norwood, MA/Norwood) translated his hard and very effective work on the offensive line into a spot on the First Team offense.  With injuries to starters on the line, he stepped up all season and filled different spots wherever the team needed him. He was the team's Offensive Player of the Week four times in eight games.

Senior Kevin Holland (Williamstown, MA/Mount Greylock) was one of NESCAC's premier receivers this season and earned a place on the First Team offense.  Among NESCAC receivers, he was second in receptions (56) and third in yards (571).  His best game was a masterpiece that came in the loss to Bowdoin.  He caught a Tufts and NESCAC record 22 passes for 202 yards in that game.  He also caught 10 passes for 105 yards in the season finale at Middlebury.

Senior quad-captain Chris Lawrence (Falmouth, MA/Falmouth) earned his spot on the First Team defense by being one of the most dangerous linemen in NESCAC.  He was among the league leaders in tackles, racking up 31 solo and 41 assisted for a total of 72 from his down position.  He also had three sacks, which was the second-best total on the Tufts roster.  He finished his career in style at Middlebury with 1.5 sacks and eight tackles.

Sophomore DE Chris Decembrele (Walpole, MA/Walpole) was one of the best players on the Tufts defense, which got him a place in the Second Team defense in the linebacker position.  A defensive end in the Tufts alignment, he led the Jumbos in tackles with 73 (40 solo, 33 assisted), and with 3.5 sacks.  These numbers also got him onto the NESCAC leader board.  His most impressive showing was a 15-tackle performance in the Amherst game.

Despite their losing record, head coach Bill Samko's team had a huge 10-3 victory over previously undefeated Amherst College on October 30. They lost 14-12 to Bowdoin, 10-9 to Williams and 10-6 to Middlebury as the offense struggled to put points on the board. Some key injuries and that lack of scoring was the difference between their poor finish and a potential winning record.

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