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2003 U.D. Pre-season Football Prospectus

Location. ..................................................................Newark, Delaware 19716

Founded .................................................................................................. 1743

Enrollment .................................................................. 16,000 Undergraduates

Nickname (Mascot) ............................................Fightin’Blue Hens (YoUDee)

Colors ..................................................................................Royal Blue & Gold

Stadium ..............................................................................Delaware Stadium

Capacity ............................................................................................22,000

Surface ..................................................................................Natural Grass

Lights ....................................................................................................Yes

Delaware Stadium Record ..................234-73-4 (50 seasons since 1952)

Press Box Phone ............................................302-831-6199 or 831-2186

NCAAAffiliation .............................................................. NCAADivision I-AA

Conference................................Atlantic 10 Football Conference (16 seasons)

All-Time Conference Record ....................................94-43, .686 (since 1986)

Conference Titles ..................................6 (1986-1988-1991-1992-1995-2000)

President ..........................................................................Dr. David P. Roselle

NCAA Faculty Delegate ............................................ Dr. John L. Burmeister

Athletic Director ................................................................Edgar N. Johnson

Senior Associate Athletic Director ................................ Mary Ann Hitchens

Associate AD/Programs & Facilities .......................................... Kate Pohlig

Associate AD/Business ............................................................Scott Eatough

Assistant AD/Compliance & Operation ......................................Susan Groff

Delaware Stadium Operations ..................................................Vest Johnson

Football Operations (Travel) ......................................................Jerry Oravitz

Supervisor of Events ....................................................................Shane Brey

Marketing Director ........................................................................Curt Krouse

Athletics Development Director ...................................... Kathleen Houghton

Sports Information Director ................................................ Scott Selheimer

Office Phone ..............................................302-831-2186 or 302-831-8715

Office Fax ................................................................................302-831-8653

SID Mailing Address ..........................................114 Bob Carpenter Center,

631 South College Ave., Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716

Selheimer’s Home Phone......................................................302-368-8639

Selheimer’s Cell Phone ..........................................................302-562-5129

Email Address ..............................................................selheime@udel.edu

UD Athletics Web Site ..........................................www.udel.edu/sportsinfo

Assistant Sports Information Director ................................Mike Hirschman

Hirschman’s Home Phone ..........................................................292-1356

Hirschman’s Cell Phone..............................................................981-3062

Sports Information Interns ....................................Pete DiVito, Mark Kimmel

Sports Information Secretary ..............................................Linda McCormick

Sports Medicine Physician...................................... Dr. Vincent N. Disabella

Head Trainer ............................................................................ Keith Handling

Associate Head Trainer .............................................................. Joan Couch

Head Strength & Conditioning Coach ............................ Russell Barbarino

Head Football Coach. ..........................................K.C. Keeler (Delaware ‘81)

Coaching Record at Delaware ................................................6-6 (1 season)

Overall Coaching Record ..............................................94-27-1 (10 seasons)

Office Phone ............................................................................302-831-2253

Office Fax ................................................................................302-831-8653

Email Address ....................................................................keeler@udel.edu

Football Mailing Address ........................................Bob Carpenter Center,

631 South College Ave., Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716

Full-Time Assistant Coaches (alma mater, season, responsibility)

..Kirk Ciarrocca (Temple ‘90), 2nd season; Offensive Coord./Quarterbacks)

..............David Cohen (C.W. Post ‘88), 2nd; Defensive Coord./Linebackers)

......Bryan Bossard (Delaware '89), 2nd; Passing Game Coord./Receivers)

..............................Paul Williams (Delaware '96), 5th; Defensive Secondary

................Kyle Flood (Iona ‘93), 2nd; Offensive Line/Assistant Head Coach

........................................Rob Neviaser (Williams ‘93), 2nd; Defensive Line

............................................Brian Ginn (Delaware ‘00), 4th, Running Backs

..............Rick Brown (Colgate ‘93), 2nd; Special Teams Coord.; Tight Ends

......................Craig Cummings (Delaware ‘01), 2nd; Defensive Secondary

..................................Frank Law (Glassboro State ‘72), 2nd; Defensive Line

Graduate Assistant ................................Brandon Walker (Elmhurst ‘00), 2nd

Football Administrative Assistant ..........Ian Stevenson (Delaware ‘01), 3rd

Football Secretary........................................................................Mary Hecker

Football Equipment Manager........................................................Kevin Rose

Football Game Films ............................................Jim Richards, David Barlow

2002 Season Record ......................................................................6-6 Overall

......................................................4-5 Atlantic 10 Conference (tie, 6th Place)

All-time Delaware Football Record ......................583-379-44 (111 seasons)

National Championships............................5 (1946, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1979)

NCAAI-AA Tournament Appearances......................11 (most recent - 2000)

Lambert Cup Trophies ..............................................17 (most recent - 2000)

ECAC Team of the Year Awards ................................9 (most recent - 2000)

Basic Offense/Defense ................................................................Spread / 4-3

2003 Captains..........................................................Mike Adams, Jason Nerys

March 13 ..........................................................................First Spring Practice

April 11 ....................................................Blue-White Spring Game, 7:30 p.m.

August 12 (tentative) ..........................................Pre-Season Practice Begins

September 6....................................................Season Opener vs. The Citadel

Sept. 6 The Citadel .................................................................... 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 *Richmond

(Freshman Family Weekend).......................................... 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 West Chester (Band Day).............................................. 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 at *Hofstra......................................................................12 noon

Oct. 4 *William & Mary.............................................................. 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 at *New Hamsphire........................................................12 noon

Oct. 18 *Rhode Island (Homecoming Weekend)......................12 noon

Oct. 25 at Navy ........................................................................1:30 p.m.

Nov. 1 *Maine (Parents and Family Weekend).......................... 1 p.m.

Nov. 8 at *Northeastern ........................................................12:30 p.m.

Nov. 15 *Massachusetts (Hall of Fame Day)..............................1 p.m.

Nov. 22 at *Villanova..........................................................................tba

*=-Atlantic 10 Conference Games

2003

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE FOOTBALL

PRE-SEASON PROSPECTUS

Letterwinners Returning ............................................................................40

Offense..................................................................................................22

Defense ................................................................................................16

Kickers/Specialists ................................................................................2

Letterwinners Lost ......................................................................................16

Offense....................................................................................................6

Defense ..................................................................................................8

Kickers/Specialists ................................................................................2

Starters Returning (6 or more starts) ........................................................17

Offense..................................................................................................10

Defense ..................................................................................................6

Kickers/Specialists ................................................................................1

Starters Lost (6 or more starts) ..................................................................8

Offense....................................................................................................1

Defense ..................................................................................................5

Kickers/Specialists ................................................................................2

OFFENSE ....................................................................................................23

Germaine Bennett (Sr., RB), Sean Bleiler (Jr., TE/FB), Joe Bleymaier (Soph.,

WR), David Boler (Soph., WR), Mike Buchman (Jr., OL), G.J. Crescione (Jr.,

WR); Trip DelCampo (Jr., OL), Chris Edwards (Jr., OL), Saul Freund (Jr.,

OL); Matt Graviet (Sr., OL), Andy Hall (Sr., QB), Brian Ingram (Soph., WR),

Antawn Jenkins (Sr., RB), Lawrence Jones (Jr., WR - moved from CB), Rick

Lavelle (Sr., TE), Justin Long (Soph., WR), Jason Nerys (Sr., OL), Jesse

O’Neill (Sr., TE), Brian Sims (Soph., OL), Paul Thomson (Jr., OL), Bryan

Tingle (Soph., WR), Jared Wray (Jr., OL)

DEFENSE ....................................................................................................16

Mike Adams (Sr., SS - missed 11 games to injury in 2002), Roger Brown

(Soph., CB) , Dave Camburn (Jr., FS), Leon Clarke (Sr., CB), BenCross (Jr.,

LB), Mondoe Davis (Jr., LB), SidneyHaugabrook (Jr., LB), Brian Jennings

(Jr., DT), Ryan McDermond (Jr., LB), Chris Mooney (Jr., DT), Mark Moore (Jr.,

LB), John Mulhern (Soph., LB), Tom Parks (Soph., DT), Jamie Rotonda (Sr.,

SS), Lou Samba (Soph., DE), Dominic Santoli (Jr., DE)

KICKERS/SPECIALISTS ................................................................................2

Brad Shushman (Jr., K); Brett Wharton (Soph., Snapper)

OFFENSE ......................................................................................................6

KeithBurnell (RB), Mike Connor (QB - transfer to Lehigh), David Goode

(FB), Corey Howard (SE), Nate Irvin (WR), Brian Williams (OL)

DEFENSE ......................................................................................................8

Mike Cassidy (DB), Nick Fazzie(LB), J o s h K r e i d e r (DB), Joe Minucci( D T, D a n

M u l h e r n (LB), Jason Reid (DL), Ricardo Walker (CB), Vince Wilson ( S S )

KICKERS ........................................................................................................2

RyanBleiler (P), Scott Collins (K)

OFFENSE ..................................................................................................10

David Boler (Soph., WR), Saul Freund (Jr., OL); Matt Graviet (Sr., OL), Andy

Hall (Sr., QB), Brian Ingram (Soph., WR); Rick Lavelle (Sr., TE), Justin Long

(Soph., WR), Jason Nerys (Sr., OL), Paul Thomson (Jr., OL), Jared Wray (Jr.,

OL)

DEFENSE ....................................................................................................6

Dave Camburn (Jr., FS), Mondoe Davis (Jr., LB), SidneyHaugabrook (Jr.,

LB), Ryan McDermond (Jr., LB), Chris Mooney (Jr., DT), Lou Samba (Soph.,

DE)

KICKERS/SPECIALISTS ..............................................................................1

Brett Wharton (Soph., Deep Snapper)

OFFENSE ....................................................................................................1

Keith Burnell (RB)

DEFENSE ....................................................................................................5

Nick Fazzie (LB), Joe Minucci (DT, DanMulhern (LB), Ricardo Walker (CB),

Vince Wilson (SS)

KICKERS ......................................................................................................2

RyanBleiler (P), Scott Collins (K)

Steve Bowman (Soph., OL), Keith Griesbaum (Sr., WR - missed 2002 season

with knee injury), Nick Iarrobino (Sr., DE), Randall James (Soph., DL), Mike

Weber (Soph., P)

Erec Spiese (QB); Jesse Makowski (DE); Steve Seal (DT), Robert Longoria

(DB), Jeb Keller (DL)

Blake Anderson (C), Kyle Campbell (DB), Ryan Carty (QB), Scott Conley

(OL), Greg Frade (K), Niquan Lee (RB), Dominic Madigan (LB), Brad Michael

(QB), John Russ (DB), Steve Selk (TE), Brent Steinmetz (RB), Zach Thomas

(WR).

Rich Beverley (OL, Cedar Run, NJ ), Mark Ciavirella (OL, Bogota, NJ), Nicos

Chavis (DB, Social Circle, GA), Omar Cuff (DB, Landover, MD), Maguell Davis

(LB, Newport News, VA), Marquez Davis (LB, NewportNews, VA), KeiAndre

Hepburn (LB, Hollywood, FL) Jeremy Kametz (DL, Bethlehem, PA); Jeff

Robinson (DB, Fairburn, GA); Dave Shinskie (QB, Kulpmont, PA); Lonnie

Starks (RB, Newport News, VA); Richard Washington (DE, Fort Lauderdale,

FL); Rashaad Woodard (DB, Germantown, MD)

All-American - Jason Nerys (Sr., OL), SidneyHaugabrook (Jr., CB), Mike

Adams (Sr., SS)

All-Conference - Jason Nerys (Sr., OL), SidneyHaugabrook (Jr., CB), Mike

Adams (Sr., SS), Antawn Jenkins (Sr., RB), Andy Hall (Sr., QB), RickLavelle

(TE), Matt Graviet (C), Mondoe Davis (LB)

CoSIDA All-Academic - Chris Mooney (Jr., DL), BenCross (Jr., LB), Jason

Nerys (Sr., OL); Mondoe Davis (Jr., LB), Jared Wray (Jr., OL)

Dan Mulhern - 2nd team The Sports Network All-American; 3rd team

Associated Press All-American; 1st team All-East (ECAC); 1st team All-Atlantic

10; Ricardo Walker - 1st team All-Atlantic 10 (DB); 3rd team All-Atlantic 10

(KR); Joe Minucci - 1st team All-Atlantic 10; Jason Nerys - 2nd Team All-

Atlantic 10; SidneyHaugabrook - 2nd team All-Atlantic 10; Rick Lavelle - 3rd

team All-Atlantic 10; Ryan Bleiler - 3rd team All-Atlantic 10

88 Rick Lavelle (Sr., 6-4, 246) 83 Jesse O’Neill (Sr., 6-4, 220)

86 David Boler (So., 6-2, 200) 81 Bryan Tingle (So., 5-10, 190)

7 Brian Ingram (So., 6-4, 180) 3 G.J. Crescione (Jr., 5-9, 173)

8 Justin Long (So., 6-0, 182) 43 Zach Thomas (Fr.r, 6-0, 178)

85 Joe Bleymaier (So., 5-10, 175) 80 Keith Griesbaum (Sr., 5-11, 185)

75 Saul Freund (Jr., 6-8, 345) 74 Brian Sims (Soph., 6-4, 250)

76 Jared Wray (Jr., 6-3, 278) 69 Chris Edwards (Jr., 6-3, 300)

77 Matt Graviet (Sr., 6-4, 287) 50 Blake Anderson (Fr.r, 6-3, 240)

73 Jason Nerys (Sr., 6-4, 278) 71 Steve Bowman (So., 6-4, 300)

78 Paul Thomson (Jr., 6-6, 335) 72 Trip DelCampo (Jr., 6-6, 312)

12 Andy Hall (Sr., 6-2, 210) 18 Ryan Carty (Fr.r, 5-11, 185) or

16 Brad Michael (Fr.r, 6-4, 190)

40Antawn Jenkins (Sr., 6-3, 240) 2 Germaine Bennett (Sr., 5-8, 190)

11 Dominic Santoli (Jr., 6-2, 228) 56 Nick Iarrobino (Sr., 6-2, 240)

84 Brian Jennings (Jr., 6-2, 260) 63 Tom Parks (Soph., 6-3, 230)

92 Chris Mooney (Jr., 6-4, 255) 99 Randall James (Soph., 6-0, 280)

37 Lou Samba (Soph., 6-0, 220) 56 Nick Iarrobino (Sr., 6-2, 240)

44 John Mulhern (Soph, 6-2, 220) 55 Dominic Madigan (Fr.r, 6-1, 230)

58 Mondoe Davis (Jr., 6-1, 220) or 9 Ryan McDermond (Jr., 6-1, 240)

53 Mark Moore (Jr., 5-11, 200) 26 Ben Cross (Jr., 5-10, 207)

29 Roger Brown (Soph., 5-11, 175) 23 Leon Clarke (Sr., 5-8, 180)

17 Dave Camburn (Jr., 5-11, 180) 42 John Russ (Fr.r, 6-1, 180)

24 Mike Adams (Sr., 5-11, 185) 28 Jamie Rotonda (Sr., 6-0, 185)

47 Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180) 23 Leon Clarke (Sr., 5-8, 180)

21 Brad Shushman (Jr., 5-11, 190) 49 Greg Frade (Fr.r, 6-0, 175)

19 Mike Weber (So., 6-2, 180) 21 Brad Shushman (Jr., 5-11, 190)

2 Germaine Bennett (Sr., 5-8, 190) 7Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180)

24 Mike Adams (Sr., 5-11, 185) 7Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180)

85 Joe Bleymaier (So., 5-10, 175) 3 G.J. Crescione (Jr., 5-9, 173)

53 Mark Moore (Jr., 5-11, 200) 65 Brett Wharton (So., 6-1, 185)

65 Brett Wharton (So., 6-1, 185) 69 Chris Edwards (Jr., 6-3, 300)

Expectations will always be high for the University of Delaware football program,

starting with theBlue Hen coaching staff, passing through to the

players, and certainly to the fans.

That happens when a program has claimed five small college national

championships, been runner-up three times, advanced to the NCAAplayoffs on

16 occasions, earned 17 Lambert Cup Awards as the top team in the East, and

captured 13 conference championships. And all of that accomplished by just

three head coaches since the 1940’s.

Naturally, when K.C. Keeler took over the reigns as Delaware’s head coach

last spring, replacing a future Hall of Fame legend like Tubby Raymond, who

won 300 games over 36 seasons, his expectations were high as well.

So when you look back at Keeler’s debut season in 2002 and see that the

Blue Hens posted a 6-6 record and placed tied for sixth place with a 4-5 record

in the Atlantic 10, the first reaction might be a negative one.

Quite to the contrary.

Consider that the Blue

Hens lost those six games by a

combined total of just 26 points,

including five of them by four

points or less.

Also consider that during

the season, theBlue Hens posted

a victory over NCAA I-AA

semifinalist Georgia S o u t h e r n

and defeated Atlantic 10 cochampions

and NCAA t o u r n ament

participants Northeastern

and Maine by comfortable margins.

All that despite a new

coaching staff, tons of inexperienced

players, and a new offensive

system much different than

any other in the rich history of

UD football.

This season, with 16 starters returning, including 10 on the offensive side,

those expectations are high once again. And for good reason.

"We are still unbelievably young, but we are light years ahead of where we

were last year," said Keeler, who welcomes back a total of 40 letterwinners,

including 32 who have started at least one career game. "Our kids are a lot further

along in terms of strength and conditioning and knowing our systems. The

players have a much better handle on the system and we as a staff have a better

understanding of what our players can do. We will be able to do so much

more this spring and we are confident that will carry over to the fall. We are excited

about what this team can accomplish."

Below is a position by position outlook for 2003.

It is hard to imagine the Blue Hen offense accomplishing anywhere near

what it did a year ago without the addition of Georgia Tech transfer AndyHall.

After missing spring drills due to his transfer, Hall took over the helm of

Keeler’s wide-open, no-huddle offense and was a steady force throughout the

year. He played every down until missing the season finale vs. Villanova with a

rotator cuff injury to his throwing arm that required surgery and will limit his participation

this spring. He is expected to be back at 100 percent for his senior season.

Hall was equally adept at running as he was passing and accounted for

nearly 60 percent of the Blue Hens’offensive yardage production, ranking third

in the Atlantic 10 in total offense at 245 yards per game.

He was the team’s second leading rusher with 863 yards and seven touchdowns

and hit on 159 of 306 passes for 1,832 yards and nine touchdowns with

just five interceptions. He set a UD single season quarterback rushing record

during the year and was third among all I-AA quarterbacks in rushing yardage.

In addition, he had three 200-yard passing games with a season-high 251 yards

vs. William & Mary.

The backup position will belong to someone new this fall with the loss of

junior Mike Connor, who transferred to Lehigh following the season. Connor

played the final four games of the 2001 season and played in just one game in

2002 when he filled in for Hall in the finale vs. Villanova and threw for 216 yards

and a touchdown.

A pair of redshirt freshmen in Brad Michael and Ryan Carty will battle for

the No. 2 spot and will have all spring to show the staff what they can do while

Hall rests his arm.

Carty, who moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart for last year’s season

finale but did play, threw for 3,504 yards and 43 touchdown as a senior at

Somerville (NJ) High School in earning All-State honors in 2001.

Michael set numerous school records at Southeast Raleigh (NC) High

School and was a two-time all-conference selection.

A third redshirt freshman, former Delaware All-State pick Erec Spiese, left

the team prior to spring drills. Joining the fold in the fall will be highly-touted

freshman Dave Shinskie, the Pennsylvania Small School Player of the Year at

Mt. Carmel High School last fall when he passed for 2,524 yards and 26 touchdowns

in leading his team its second state title in three years.

Keeler Outlook: "Andy did a great job for us last year, coming in and running a

new offense. He should be back at 100 percent from his injury and we expect

even better things after a season

under his belt. He will be one of

the top quarterbacks in the

Atlantic 10 this fall. With Andy sitting

out most of the spring, we

expect to get a real good look at

Ryan and Brad. Both should

push each other hard this spring

and we’ll find out who the No. 2

guy will be for the fall."

Running back Keith Burnell, who spent his senior year at Delaware after a

solid career at nationally-ranked Virginia Tech, is the lone full-time starter not

returning to the Blue Hen offense this fall. The speedy NFLprospect led the Blue

Hens in rushing with 956 yards and nine touchdowns in the single-back system,

but Delaware has plenty of able and experienced replacements.

Powerful senior Antawn Jenkins looks to take over the starting spot on a

full-time basis this fall. Jenkins opened the season as the starter last fall before

Burnell took over in the fourth week of the season. Jenkins, who adds a burst of

speed to his 6-3, 230 lb. bulk, has already rushed for 1,369 yards in three seasons,

including a team-high 575 yards in 2001 and 398 yards last season.

Another key returnee who should continue to see plenty of action is 5-8

senior Germaine Bennett, a hard runner with speed who enjoyed his finest season

a year ago when he rushed for 215 yards with a 5.8 yard per carry average.

Also adding to the cast is a rugged blocking back in junior Sean Bleiler ,

who will also see time at tight end, and a promising tandem of redshirt freshmen

in Niquan Lee and Brent Steinmetz.

Keeler Outlook: "We have a big physical line and two veteran backs so we

know we can run the ball. We lose the speed of a KeithBurnell but we return

two quality runners in Antawn Jenkins and Germaine Bennett. Antawn is in

incredible shape and we really look forward to seeing him have a big year.

Germaine had a breakthrough year last fall and we expect the two freshmen to

make valuable contributions in the years ahead."

Heading into last season, no wide receiver on theBlue Hen roster had ever

caught a pass in an official game. Amend that total to 120 heading into the 2003

campaign.

A talented group of wideouts, led by freshmen Brian Ingram, Justin Long,

and David Boler, provided a glimpse to fans of the excitement generated by

Delaware’s spread offense. With a year under their belts, look for the Blue Hen

passing game to blossom in 2003 and keep getting better.

Long and Ingram, two converted defensive backs, ranked No. 1 and No. 2

on the team in receiving despite battling injuries for much of the season. Long

led the way with 46 catches for 559 yards and four touchdowns while Ingram,

who missed two games with an ankle injury, was an inviting target with his 6-4

frame and hauled in 37 receptions for 456 yards and one touchdown.

Boler, a transfer from Southern Cal, came on strong in the late going and

caught 27 balls for 489 yards and three touchdowns and was the team’s top big

play threat with an average of 18.1 yards per catch.

The list of talented pass catchers doesn’t end there. Also back is sophomore

Joe Bleymaier, anArizona State transfer who added eight receptions for

59 yards a year ago.

The staff is also high on redshirt freshman Zach Thomas, a speedster who

could battle for a starting spot in the four receiver set. Also back is senior Keith

Griesbaum, who returns after missing all of last season with a knee injury, and

junior G.J. Crescione.

Keeler Outlook: "Despite the success that we had a year ago, our group of

wideouts is still extremely young. They are still learning the system but we have

a lot of talent there. They are continuing to progress and we are excited to see

the passing game open up even more this fall."

The Blue Hens return three solid tight ends led by senior Rick Lavelle, who

earned third team All-Atlantic 10 honors a year ago when he caught 9 passes for

95 yards and did a solid job in blocking schemes in his first year as a starter. His

nine receptions were the most for a UDtight end since 1994.

1Senior Jesse O’Neill, an outstanding athlete with good size at 6-4, 220 lbs., is

a solid pass catcher and will back up Lavelle. He caught seven passes for 91

yards and a touchdown a year ago.

Also look for Bleiler and redshirt freshman Steve Selk, a former All-State

pick at nearby Newark (DE) High School, to see action.

The offensive line was probably the team’s biggest question mark entering

the 2002 season, but when all was said and done, the Blue Hen front five was

probably the team’s most consistent unit throughout the season.

And the news gets better as all five starters return in 2003 led by team cocaptain

and All-American guard candidate Jason Nerys.

The unit paved the way for an offense that ranked third in the Atlantic 10 in

rushing yardage (206.2 per game) and total offense (378.2) and allowed just 15

sacks all season, the second best mark in the league and the lowest total

allowed by Delaware since 1991.

Nerys, a second team All-Atlantic 10 selection who also is a CoSIDA

Academic All-American candidate, leads the unit as a third-year starter. The 6-

4, 278-pounder consistently shut down the opponents’ top interior lineman and

was praised consistently by Keeler as one of the top linemen in the country.

Junior Jared Wray (6-3, 278) returns at the other guard position while junior

Saul Freund, the biggest player in school history at 6-8 and 345 lbs., and junior

Paul Thomsen (6-6, 335) remain intact at the tackle spots. Key backup support

is provided by a group of letterwinners that include junior tackle Trip DelCampo

(6-6, 312), versatile junior Chris Edwards (6-3, 300), and junior guard Mike

Buchman (6-4, 250).

At center, senior Matt Graviet will return as a third-year starter but will not

take part in spring drills due to off-season ankle surgery. He is expected back at

full strength for the fall. While Graviet sits out, redshirt freshman Blake

Anderson is expected to get plenty of repetitions which should pay dividends in

the fall when his backup support will be needed.

Keeler Outlook: "We feel very good about our offensive line and it should continue

to be one of the strengths of this team. They did some really good things

for us last year and they keep getting better. We are big and physical up front,

we have experience, and we have some depth."

Despite the return of four players with starting experience, the defensive

front remains one of Keeler ’s top concerns entering the 2003 campaign.

Four-year standout and first team All-Atlantic 10 tackle Joe Minucci has

graduated and junior Mondoe Davis, a natural linebacker who due to injuries

was thrust into action on the defensive front and started 11 games a year ago,

will move back to his familiar middle linebacker spot. Davis led all down linemen

with 66 tackles a year ago, including seven for loss and three sacks.

However, the Blue Hens managed just 24 sacks all season.

That leaves three experienced

players in junior Chris Mooney, a

C o S I D A Academic A l l - A m e r i c a n

candidate who moved from end to

tackle a year ago and started all 12

games, and a pair of converted linebackers

in junior Dominic Santoli

and sophomore Lou Samba to form

the nucleus. Santoli started two

games and Samba eight a year ago.

Mooney, who was in on 29 tackles

a year ago, including 8.5 for loss

and 3.5 sacks, will lead the unit at

tackle while Santoli (33 tackles, 7.5

for loss, 4.0 sacks) and Samba (27

tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks) will

man the end positions.

Junior Brian Jennings, a twoyear

letterwinner and the team’s

No. 3 tackle a year ago when he

posted 16 tackles, is expected to

take over the other starting spot.

The concern up front is depth.

The only other player back with

real playing experience is sophomore

Tom Parks, who saw action

in five games and had two tackles

as a true freshman in 2002. Senior

end Nick Iarrobino and sophomore

tackle Randall James saw

very limited action in their first seasons

as Blue Hens but may be

pressed into increased roles.

The Blue Hens could also took a

long look a true freshman Richard

Washington, one of the team’s

top recruits this spring from Fort Lauderdale, FLwhere he was an All-State pick.

Keeler Outlook: "We have concerns at the defensive front, mostly with our

depth. The good news is that our experiments of moving Mooney to tackle and

Samba and Santoli to end worked out. Mooney will be our main guy up front.

Samba and Santoli don’t have great size, but they have good quickness and if

they can hold up physically, they can be very good players in this league."

The Blue Hens will be hard pressed to find a replacement for the likes of All-

American middle linebacker Dan Mulhern, who graduated after a stellar fouryear

career.

Mulhern, the runner-up for the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year

Award, was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and was named to two All-

American teams after ranking third in the league with 126 tackles, including 13.5

for loss. He ended his career with 418 stops, third best all-time at UD.

The Hens also lost starting outside linebacker Nick Fazzie (55 tackles) to

graduation, but the cupboard is far from bare.

Mondoe Davis, who started at linebacker as a redshirt freshman in 2001

before moving to end last year, returns to his original position and will vie for

starting honors in the middle with junior Ryan McDermond, who started seven

games at outside linebacker a year ago and posted 56 tackles after transferring

from Louisville. Both can also play on the outside as well.

Other key returning linebackers are junior Mark Moore, sophomore John

Mulhern, and junior Ben Cross.

Moore, who makes up for his 5-11, 200 lb. size with speed and agility, and

Mulhern, Dan’s younger brother, are penciled in to start on the outside with backup

support from Cross, a CoSIDADistrict II first team All-Academic pick a year ago.

Moore, who also serves as the Hens’deep snapper on punts and is a standout

coverage man on kicks, started four games a year ago and finished with 41

tackles while Mulhern came on late in the season, starting the final two games

and posting 28 tackles. Cross saw action mostly on special teams.

The unit also features three incoming freshmen who could make an impact,

including Mondoe Davis’twin younger brothers Maguell and Marquez who were

standouts at Woodside (VA) High School and speedy Keiandre Hepburn, a

standout from Hollywood, FL.

Keeler Outlook: "Whenever you lose a player the calibre of Dan Mulhern, it is

going to make a difference. What he accomplished over the last four years as a

player and a leader were incredible. But linebacker is still a very solid unit for us.

We are excited to get Mondoe back to his true position and he and McDermond

will push each other hard, which will only make us better. Mark Moore and John

Mulhern give us two solid outside linebackers who continue to improve."

The true strength of the Blue Hen defense lies in the secondary where

Delaware is talented and experienced led by two of the better defensive backs

in the country in junior cornerback SidneyHaugabrook and senior strong safety

However, the Hens will still miss the presence of Ricardo Walker, a first

team All-Atlantic 10 pick who graduated after picking off three passes and breaking

up 14 others a year ago, and two-year starter Vince Wilson.

Joining the tandem of Adams and Haugabrook are junior Dave Camburn,

who started six games at safety last season, sophomore Roger Brown, a

speedster who played in nine games at cornerback as a true freshman in 2002,

and three-year letterwinning cornerback Leon Clarke. Together, it is a group

that should keep pass-happy Atlantic 10 attacks in check.

Haugabrook, who can play both cornerback and safety, is the most decorated

of the group, having earned second team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2003

after being the first-ever defensive player to earn Atlantic 10 and ECAC Rookie

of the Year honors in 2002. He ranked second on the squad in tackles a year

ago with 84 and has eight interceptions and nine breakups in just two seasons.

Adams, the emotional team leader and team co-captain, is expected back

at full strength this fall after missing all but last year’ season opener due to

injuries. A three-year regular, Adams injured his hip late in the season opening

win over Georgia Southern and was lost for the year.A strong presence even off

the field, he was granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAAand now

looks to return to the form that saw him post 63 tackles and three interceptions

in 2001.

Camburn (35 tackles), a hard-worker and hard-hitter who was slowed by

knee troubles from a 2001 injury, looks to return to full strength this season and

will team with Adams at the safety position. Brown takes over Walker’s full-time

starting cornerback spot after posting 11 tackles and one interception in a parttime

role as a true freshman.

Other key contributors will be Clarke, a three-year key backup cornerback

who has played in 36 career games, special teams ace in senior safety Jamie

Rotonda, and promising redshirt freshman John Russ. Incoming freshmen

Nicos Chavis of Social Circle, GA, Jeff Robinson of Fairburn, GA, and

Rashaad Woodard provide even more talent.

Keeler Outlook: " We really believe we have one of the better secondaries around.

It is certainly the strength of our defense. Mike and Sidney give us two proven

players who are among the best in the nation. We are excited to see what guys

like Dave Camburn, Roger Brown, and John Russ will do in full-time roles."

Blue Hens have some holes to fill on special teams, especially in the kicking

game where kicker Scott Collins and punter Ryan Bleiler have both graduated

following solid careers.

Collins handled the Hens’kickoffs and placement chores the last three seasons

after transferring from Penn State and earned second team All-Atlantic 10

honors in 2000. He connected on 12 of 22 field goals and 31 of 31 extra points

a year ago and for his career was 28 of 50 on field goals and 117 of 123 on extra

points. His booming kickoffs also played a big part in Delaware leading the

Atlantic 10 in kickoff coverage (14.9 yards per return) in 2002.

Bleiler, who held the starting punting job for two seasons before serving as

a backup to All-Atlantic 10 pick Chris Steiner in 2000 and 2001, regained the job

last season and earned third team All-Atlantic 10 honors after ranking sixth in the

league with a 39.5 yard average.

Junior Brad Shushman , a second-year transfer from Louisville, will take

over the kicking duties for Collins. He did not attempt a placement a year ago

but kicked off for the Hens in two games.

Sophomore walk-on Mike Weber, who did not see action a year ago as the

team’s No. 2 punter, is the top candidate to take over for Bleiler.

Returning to their deep snapping roles are sophomore Brett Wharton, who

was solid as a true freshman on placements a year ago, and junior linebacker

Mark Moore, who handled punt snap duties. TheHens had just one punt

blocked all season. Sophomore wide receiver Joe Bleymaier will be back to

hold on placements.

Ricardo Walker, who was a third team All-Atlantic 10 kick returner a year

ago after averaging 23.4 yards per return, must be replaced but the Hens will

look to Germaine Bennett and Corey Howard to take over the duties. Mike

Adams returned punts a year ago before his injury and is expected to assume

the role once again. Sidney Haugabrook (8.2 avg. on 24 returns) and Brian

Ingram (8.3 avg on nine returns) are also capable.

Keeler Outlook: "Losing experienced kickers like Scott Collins and Ryan Bleiler

is tough, but we are confident that Brad Shushman will come in and be very solid

for us. He is still developing and we look forward to him having a great spring.

We feel good about our kick returns and kick coverage because we have some

good speed."Combined Team Statistics

For Starters.....: The Blue Hens might still be a young team, but they have

plenty of starting experience. New players in a new system coupled with various

injuries gave the opportunity to 42 UD different players to start at least

one game a year ago. The good news is that 16 players who started at least

half of the games return to the Blue Hen lineup, including 10 on offense.

Still Packing Them In: Delaware drew an average of over 20,000 fans for

the third time in the last four seasons last fall when the Delaware Stadium