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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 Part-Time Assistant Coaches ............................................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 2003 IMPORTANT DATES 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 - more - 2003 DELAWARE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 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 2-2-2-2 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 2003 TEAM INFORMATION LETTERMEN RETURNING (40) 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) LETTERMEN LOST (16) 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) STARTERS RETURNING (17) (6 or more starts in 2002) 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) STARTERS LOST (8) 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) OTHER KEY RETURNING PLAYERS 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) OTHER PLAYERS LOST Erec Spiese (QB); Jesse Makowski (DE); Steve Seal (DT), Robert Longoria (DB), Jeb Keller (DL) TOP NEWCOMERS REDSHIRT FRESHMEN 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). TRUE FRESHMEN 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) 2003 AWARD CANDIDATES 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) 2002 TOP INDIVIDUAL HONORS 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 - more - 3-3-3-3 PRE-SEASON TWO-DEEP LINEUPS OFFENSE (Returning starters in bold) #TE 88 Rick Lavelle (Sr., 6-4, 246) 83 Jesse O’Neill (Sr., 6-4, 220) WR 86 David Boler (So., 6-2, 200) 81 Bryan Tingle (So., 5-10, 190) WR 7 Brian Ingram (So., 6-4, 180) 3 G.J. Crescione (Jr., 5-9, 173) WR 8 Justin Long (So., 6-0, 182) 43 Zach Thomas (Fr.r, 6-0, 178) WR 85 Joe Bleymaier (So., 5-10, 175) 80 Keith Griesbaum (Sr., 5-11, 185) LT 75 Saul Freund (Jr., 6-8, 345) 74 Brian Sims (Soph., 6-4, 250) LG 76 Jared Wray (Jr., 6-3, 278) 69 Chris Edwards (Jr., 6-3, 300) C 77 Matt Graviet (Sr., 6-4, 287) 50 Blake Anderson (Fr.r, 6-3, 240) RG 73 Jason Nerys (Sr., 6-4, 278) 71 Steve Bowman (So., 6-4, 300) RT 78 Paul Thomson (Jr., 6-6, 335) 72 Trip DelCampo (Jr., 6-6, 312) QB 12 Andy Hall (Sr., 6-2, 210) 18 Ryan Carty (Fr.r, 5-11, 185) or 16 Brad Michael (Fr.r, 6-4, 190) RB 40Antawn Jenkins (Sr., 6-3, 240) 2 Germaine Bennett (Sr., 5-8, 190) DEFENSE LE 11 Dominic Santoli (Jr., 6-2, 228) 56 Nick Iarrobino (Sr., 6-2, 240) DT 84 Brian Jennings (Jr., 6-2, 260) 63 Tom Parks (Soph., 6-3, 230) DT 92 Chris Mooney (Jr., 6-4, 255) 99 Randall James (Soph., 6-0, 280) RE 37 Lou Samba (Soph., 6-0, 220) 56 Nick Iarrobino (Sr., 6-2, 240) OLB 44 John Mulhern (Soph, 6-2, 220) 55 Dominic Madigan (Fr.r, 6-1, 230) MLB 58 Mondoe Davis (Jr., 6-1, 220) or 9 Ryan McDermond (Jr., 6-1, 240) OLB 53 Mark Moore (Jr., 5-11, 200) 26 Ben Cross (Jr., 5-10, 207) LCB 29 Roger Brown (Soph., 5-11, 175) 23 Leon Clarke (Sr., 5-8, 180) FS 17 Dave Camburn (Jr., 5-11, 180) 42 John Russ (Fr.r, 6-1, 180) SS 24 Mike Adams (Sr., 5-11, 185) 28 Jamie Rotonda (Sr., 6-0, 185) RCB 47 Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180) 23 Leon Clarke (Sr., 5-8, 180) SPECIAL TEAMS K/KOFF 21 Brad Shushman (Jr., 5-11, 190) 49 Greg Frade (Fr.r, 6-0, 175) PUNT 19 Mike Weber (So., 6-2, 180) 21 Brad Shushman (Jr., 5-11, 190) KR 2 Germaine Bennett (Sr., 5-8, 190) 7Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180) PR 24 Mike Adams (Sr., 5-11, 185) 7Sidney Haugabrook (Jr., 5-10, 180) HOLD 85 Joe Bleymaier (So., 5-10, 175) 3 G.J. Crescione (Jr., 5-9, 173) LS 53 Mark Moore (Jr., 5-11, 200) 65 Brett Wharton (So., 6-1, 185) SS 65 Brett Wharton (So., 6-1, 185) 69 Chris Edwards (Jr., 6-3, 300) 2003 UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE FOOTBALL OUTLOOK "Blue Hens Aim High in Year Two Under Keeler" 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. - more - Quarterback AndyHall accounted for nearly 3,000 yards of total offense as a first-year starter in 2002 (UD Photo Services) 4-4-4-4 OFFENSE QUARTERBACK 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 BACKS 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." WIDE RECEIVER 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." TIGHT ENDS 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. - more - All-American candidate Jason Nerys (73) will anchor an offensive line that returns all five starters in 2003 (UD Photo Services) 5-5-5-5 OFFENSIVE LINE 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." DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE 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." LINEBACKERS 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." - more - Academic All-American candidate Chris Mooney (92) will anchor a young Blue Hen defensive front (UDPhoto Services) Two-time All-Atlantic 10 cornerback S i d n e y Haugabrook already has eight interceptions in two seasons with the Blue Hens (Don Cook Photo) 6-6-6-6 SECONDARY 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 Mike Adams. 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." SPECIAL TEAMS 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 BLUE HEN NOTEBOOK 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 |