Aug. 27, 2001

by Tony Moss, Executive Director of I-AA Football

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Hatboro, PA (Sports Network) -- It has taken some time, but respect for Patriot League Football is growing. Lehigh's win over Richmond and near takedown of eventual national champ UMass in 1998 wasn't enough it seems, and many of those in the I-AA nation still regarded the league's gridiron exploits as lower-tier, second-rate. Until last year, that is, when Lehigh's 37-7 dismantling of Gateway champion Western Illinois in the first round sent shockwaves through a nation that had viewed the team and league as oddities among the big boys of I-AA, as a cute distraction like those tiny NCAA basketball schools that pull one big upset then fade into obscurity. Sorry folks, there is nothing cute, or obscure, about 37-7.

Now that many fans, media, coaches and players around the country have been filled in, it is time for someone to inform the I-AA selection committee of the league's advancements. That committee made a mockery of its own system last year by snubbing one of the division's most loyal fan bases at Lehigh. Memo to I-AA committee: An 11-0 Lehigh team that puts 15,000 in the seats for home games should have been awarded the chance to host a first-round contest, especially when it played 11 I-AA opponents. Justify it however you might, but you screwed up.

This year, Lehigh will once again be the Patriot League favorite, but a handful of other teams will have a realistic shot of unseating the Mountain Hawks. Following is a preview of the conference race, with teams ranked according to predicted order of finish. Records from 2000 are in parentheses.

1. Lehigh (12-1, 6-0)

LAST YEAR: Lehigh was supposed to take on a slight rebuilding effort last season, but it never showed as Kevin Higgins' team won its third straight Patriot League title and finished the regular season undefeated for the second time in three years. The season began with an impressive 20-point win at Wofford (34-14) and slowly picked up momentum until a key mid-season stretch. It was at that point that the Mountain Hawks effectively wrapped up the PL title with consecutive wins over Bucknell (21-14), Holy Cross (21-6) and Colgate (20-14), disposing of Fordham (51-17) and Lafayette (31-17) to end the year. Despite being the only undefeated playoff team in the nation, Lehigh was shipped to Western Illinois for the first round of the playoffs, where the 10th seeded Engineers whipped the Gateway champion Leathernecks (37-7). The season ended the next week at Delaware (47-22), and Higgins accepted the quarterbacks coach job with the Detroit Lions following the campaign. Long-time Lehigh assistant Pete Lembo was tabbed to head the program.

OFFENSE: Only four starters are back from a Lehigh offensive unit that was solid but not spectacular in 2000. Quarterback and Walter Payton Award candidate Brant Hall (155-270, 1946 yards, 18 TD, 3 INT, 346 rushing yards) is the most important returnee, and will look to build on his reputation as a dual-threat this season. Tailback Phil Pleasant (779 yards, 9 TD, 19 receptions) and fullback Justin Barrasso (143 yards) are also back, as well as second-leading target Josh Snyder (30 receptions, 319 yards, 4 TD). Wideouts Avon Mack (21 receptions, 282 yards, 2 TD) and Dave Crockett (8 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD) will pose as new pass-catching options for the team, as well as tight end Darin Henry. The offensive line will need the largest overhaul, as center Jeff Santacroce is the only returning starter from last year's team. The rest of the front will feature tackles Michael Fedash and John Bryner along with guards John Timko and James Henderson.

DEFENSE: Eight starters have departed on defense, with that side of the ball featured as the team's strongest last season. The entire line was lost to graduation, so Lembo will look for some young players to step up. Sophomores Mike Gregorek (9 tackles, 3 sacks) and Joey Touzin are expected to be featured at end, while Tyler Hart (8 tackles) and Jim Casey will start on the interior. Senior Morris Taylor (26 tackles, 3 sacks) is the lone returning starter at linebacker, though Michael Taggart (31 tackles) and Roy Mathis (12 tackles) have each seen plenty of time at the position. The secondary will be the defense's strength, as Buck Buchanan Award candidate and strong safety Abdul Byron (79 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) is back along with cornerback Matt Salvaterra (67 tackles, 3 INT). Cornerback Ken Pitter (13 tackles, 3 INT) and free safety Quasion Dodd (14 tackles) should fill out the defensive rotation.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Lehigh's special teams will be the best in the league, as punter Jay Heibel (39.5 avg.) and kicker Brian Kelley (9-16 FG, 44-44 XP) will solidify the kicking game and Abdul Byron (34.8 avg.) is one of the nation's best kickoff returners. Jermaine Pugh (7.4 avg.) will bring back punts for the second straight year, and could also aide Byron on kickoffs.

SCHEDULE: Lembo's team is guaranteed to be in the hunt for the league title through mid-October, as the Engineers follow up the league opener at Georgetown (Sept. 1) with non-conference fare at Penn (Sept. 15), at home against Princeton (Sept. 22), the mismatch of the year with Central Connecticut (Sept. 29), and then at Cornell (Oct. 6). In league play, home tilts with Towson (Oct. 13) and Holy Cross (Oct. 27) figure to be important, as do road jaunts with Colgate (Nov. 3) and Bucknell (Nov. 10).

PROGNOSIS: Though their losses on both sides of the ball are significant, the returning starters that Lehigh does have back are among the best in the Patriot League. Hall is the preeminent signal-caller in the conference, and is unquestionably one of the best in I-AA. His creativity and athleticism on offense alone should be good for more than a few wins. If the young offensive line can come together and give Hall and company a chance, offense won't be a problem. Defense is another story, but since nearly all of the league's top-tier teams have a number of losses on that side of the ball, Lehigh shouldn't be far behind any other club in terms of personnel. Look for a fourth straight Patriot League Championship for the Engineers, and a first for Lembo.

2. Colgate (7-4, 4-2)

LAST YEAR: Colgate missed the I-AA playoffs for the first time since 1996 last season, as a hand injury to quarterback Tom McCune derailed the club following a 5-1 start. Dick Biddle's team won five straight games at one point, with the only loss through the first six weeks coming at I-A Connecticut (37-7). But when St. Mary's upset the Red Raiders in Hamilton (37-20), the death knell may have sounded for the team's playoff aspirations. After scraping to defeat Lafayette (17-14) at home, Colgate was punchless for three quarters of a loss to Lehigh (20-14), and a 32-3 home loss to Holy Cross the following week provided the knockout blow. The season would end on a strong note, as the 'Gate defeated Bucknell, 24-21, in an exciting season finale.

OFFENSE: The key to the offense will undoubtedly be the health of McCune (85-152, 1230 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT, 68 rushing yards, 7 rushing TD), who looked strong before being sidelined with a broken hand in the Cornell game. Biddle will no longer be able to rely on the services of tailback Randall Joseph, who graduated as the school's third leading rusher all-time. Sharing carries in Joseph's stead will be Nate Thomas (286 yards, 1 TD) and Jamaal Branch (94 yards, 1 TD), with fullback Justin Polk providing a blocking presence. Wideout Joe Parker (46 receptions, 636 yards, 4 TD) should be McCune's top target, with Ryan Ojeda (11 receptions, 201 yards, 2 TD) and Jamal Lamb (7 receptions, 137 yards, 1 TD) also figuring to get some balls thrown their way. New tight end John Frieser will also play a part. All-American left guard Ken Kubec will anchor the line, with tackle Matt Shepard joining him on the left side. Center Andy Barr and right guard Mike Murphy will also be back if each can return from injury.

DEFENSE: Biddle will have to account for major losses on defense, as five players who earned all-conference mention have departed from that unit. Up front, Colgate will have some experience with Eric Tee (42 tackles, 2 sacks) and Mike Latek (43 tackles, 3 sacks) each returning to the starting lineup. Maurice Bowers (7 tackles, 1 sack) and Brian Schaffer (4 tackles, 1 sack) should also forge a presence on the line. All three starting linebackers from last year are gone, so former backups Ron Hampton (37 tackles, 4 sacks) and Chris Rowland (15 tackles) will be asked to step in, along with Ryan Disch or Tem Lukabu. The secondary will rely on returning cornerback Max Wynn (53 tackles) along with some names from the past, as cornerback Ameer Riley is back after a one-year hiatus and safety Phil Bowman returns following a season-ending injury in last year's opener. Cornerback Maurice Robertson (19 tackles) and safety Sean McCune (59 tackles, 2 INT) should see time in the defensive backfield as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Punter Brendon Biddle (37.7 avg.), the son of head coach Dick Biddle, should take on punting duties once again, but kicker Russ Abrams has transferred following his rookie season. True freshman Lane Schwarzberg will likely handle punts and field goals. J.B. Gerald (6.8 punt return avg., 19.1 kickoff return avg.) fielded both punts and kickoffs last season, and Nate Thomas (19.4 avg.) was also a kickoff returner. Riley should also be a threat, since he was one of the nation's top return men in 1999.

SCHEDULE: Colgate could be in for a rough start, since the Red Raiders will be decided underdogs against both Villanova (Aug. 30) and Maine (Sept. 8). But consecutive home games against Dartmouth (Sept. 15), Fordham (Sept. 22), and Cornell (Sept. 29) should get Biddle's team back in working order, and a three-game season-ending stretch with Lehigh (Nov. 3), Holy Cross (Nov. 10), and Bucknell (Nov. 17) could be vital. Colgate was the only Patriot team that failed to accommodate Georgetown's entry into the league, so the Red Raiders have just six league games.

PROGNOSIS: Patriot League coaches and sports information directors predicted Colgate to finish fourth in the league in 2001, a puzzling selection since the Red Raiders are a league-best 23-6 in conference play since the 1996 season and have never finished worse than second over that span. But many point to a 32-3 home demolition at the hands of Holy Cross last season and a number of graduation casualties on both sides of the ball and think Dick Biddle's team will fade into mediocrity. Fat chance, provided Colgate is healthy. The 'Gate is still a deep ball club that has become accustomed to winning, and there is a wealth of talent, though not necessarily experience, at nearly every position. The Red Raiders will surprise in 2001, and make yet another run at a league title and playoff appearance.

3. Bucknell (6-5, 2-4)

LAST YEAR: Bucknell was a pre-season favorite of many to challenge Lehigh for the Patriot title last season, and for the year's first-half it looked like that just might happen. The Bison were 5-1 through the season's first six games, with the only loss a 10-7 affair at playoff-bound Richmond on the first week of the year. But star tailback Jabu Powell, who had emerged as a Walter Payton Award candidate, was hurt in the sixth game of that stretch, and Tom Gadd's club lost its balance and sputtered to a 6-5 finish. Bucknell's 1-4 season-ending decline included narrow losses to Lehigh (21-14), Holy Cross (10-9), Towson (15-13), and Colgate (24-21). Following the season, Gadd underwent successful surgery to remove a small tumor from the surface of his brain.

OFFENSE: Quarterback Lucas Phillips has departed, so it will be up to junior signal-caller Todd Wenrich (6-24, 58 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) to engineer the Bison attack. Wenrich's job will be made much easier if tailback Jabu Powell (1102 yards, 14 TD) returns to his early 2000 form, when he shot out of the gate but was ineffective down the stretch after being hampered by spinal stenosis. Fullback Jason Marrow (26 yards, 2 TD), the fourth-leading scorer in school history, will also be attempting to make a recovery from a fibula fracture suffered in week two of last season. Wide receiver will be more of a certainty, as top targets Jim Horan (37 receptions, 450 yards, 3 TD) and Kyle Harris (35 receptions, 398 yards, 1 TD) will be in place along with tight end Greg Readinger (10 receptions, 93 yards). All five starters are back on the offensive line, with tackles Blaise Paglia and Garry Reynolds and guards Jon Churchill and Luman Bauta leading the way.

DEFENSE: One of the Patriot's top defenses from a year ago will sport a new look in 2001, as eight starters have departed from a unit that allowed just 15.6 points per game. Pressure will be on a line that has the most experience, with nose guard Adam Lord (30 tackles, 3 sacks) and ends Tom Kuhn (28 tackles, 4 sacks) and Anddy Carmona (12 tackles, 1 sack) generating the pass rush. Three vacancies will have to be filled at linebacker, but two-year starter Mark Tallman (31 tackles, 4 sacks) remains in place. Former backups Nick Sajone (10 tackles) and Juan Morales (12 tackles, 2 sacks) will battle for starting spots along with Steve Gifford, who missed all of a last year with a knee injury. The secondary was decimated by graduation, with All-American free safety Kevin Eiben counted as the toughest loss. Bobby Young (41 tackles) should take Eiben's spot, while JC transfer Jeremy Redd will likely appear at strong safety. Oft-injured cornerback Reed Tunison (16 tackles) will have to stay healthy in order for the Bison to compete, and sophomore Anthony Lewis (6 tackles) will have to come of age early on the other side.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kicker Chris Lundberg (13-17 FG, 23-28 XP) and punter Billy Windle (36.9 avg.) make up a solid kicking corps, but replacing Eiben at punt returner will be a challenge. Lewis (11.9 avg.), who will also likely start at corner, has the most experience bringing back kickoffs.

SCHEDULE: Three straight road games to start the season will test the team's mettle, including a rare Patriot League vs. I-A contest against Kent State (Sept. 8). Gadd's team will have the luxury of playing four of its seven Patriot League games at Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, including Towson (Oct. 6), Holy Cross (Nov. 3), and Lehigh (Nov. 10).

PROGNOSIS: No one is predicting big things out of Bucknell this year, since the team lost so much from a defensive-centered unit last season. But the Bison were very close to a serious challenge for the league title last season, and if Wenrich can step in and be effective, while Powell displays a full recovery from his injury, the team should be able to move the ball. That puts the onus on the defense, which will be young but figures to be reasonably talented. Bucknell is a true sleeper in this year's Patriot race, and could surprise.

4. Holy Cross (7-4, 4-2)

LAST YEAR: After seven straight seasons with three wins or fewer, Holy Cross finally broke through in 2000 and nearly contended for the Patriot League crown. The Crusaders began the year 4-1, notching impressive wins over Harvard (27-25), Towson (17-14), and Penn (34-17). But starting quarterback Brian Hall was hobbled with an injury in the Penn game, and Dan Allen's team would drop consecutive decisions to Dartmouth (31-14), Lafayette (28-13) and Lehigh (21-6), with Hall lost for good after being knocked out of the LC game. But HC refused to give up, as backup quarterback Erreick Stewart rallied the troops for three straight victories, including an impressive 32-3 showing at Colgate. Following the season, Allen was named New England Coach of the Year.

OFFENSE: The Crusaders have good depth at quarterback, where top signal-caller Hall (64-113, 677 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, 342 yards, 5 rushing TD) is back but Stewart (138-254, 1498 yards, 11 TD, 9 INT, 212 rushing yards) is as capable a backup as the Patriot League will have. The rest of the backfield looks solid as well, as senior Calvin Souder (497 yards, 3 TD) and junior Michael Gillis (326 yards, 6 TD) both saw a great deal of time a year ago. But receiver might be Holy Cross' best-stocked position, with top pass-catcher David Thompson (50 receptions, 594 yards, 5 TD) combining with Michael Coleman (20 receptions, 121 yards), Steve Green (42 receptions, 466 yards, 1 TD), and Kendy Hall (18 receptions, 216 yards, 1 TD) at the position. Hector Cordero-Reyes (4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD) figures to be the starting tight end. Tackles Jefferson Exil and Ross Sullivan anchor an offensive line that should also include guards Steve Cox and Brian Buird and center Roger Schwarb.

DEFENSE: The defensive line will be Allen's toughest area to replace, as All-Star David Puloka graduated along with four key members of the defensive line. The five-man front line should consist of ends Taufa'asau Siaki (32 yards, 4 sacks) and Kenneth Rogers (5 tackles), tackles James Jenkins (39 tackles, 6 sacks) and Travis Thompson, and nose guard Nick Soivilien (25 tackles). Linebacker should be a more experienced section, with David Dugan (64 tackles) and senior Joel Lenzini (7 tackles) set to take charge. The secondary will be the defense's strength, as All-America candidate and strong safety Michael Blake (88 tackles, 4 INT) will combine with cornerbacks Vernell Shaw (32 tackles, 1 INT) and Gary Bordelon (40 tackles), along with free safety Ryan Ciampa (22 tackles, 1 INT).

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Crusaders' kicking game could be a weak link, as punter/kicker candidates Ryan Rolfert (2-4 FG, 18-25 XP) and Chris Vella (0-2 FG, 1-2 XP) both have limited experience. Vernell Shaw (10.5 punt return avg. 1 TD, 19.6 kickoff return avg.) was a stalwart on punt and kickoff returns last season, and will be joined by Calvin Souder (14.3 avg.) on kickoffs.

SCHEDULE: Many of Holy Cross' most difficult tests will come on the road, with Towson (Sept. 22), Penn (Oct. 6), Lehigh (Oct. 27), and Bucknell (Nov. 3) each being played away from Fitton Field. Top home games include Harvard (Sept. 15) and the home finale with Colgate (Nov. 10).

PROGNOSIS: Holy Cross is seen as a team on the rise in the Patriot League, and some preseason publications even tabbed the Crusaders as a possible Top 25 team. But first the Crusaders must replace a number of talented defensive players and navigate a difficult road schedule, or 2001 will be a season of disappointment in Worcester. If Hall and the rest of the offense can remain healthy, Holy Cross should be one of the league's top offensive units again. But going 7-4 with the 2001 schedule will be a difficult proposition.

5. Towson (7-4, 3-3)

LAST YEAR: Towson entered last season coming off an impressive 4-2 PL record in 1994, and turned to a veteran group in its quest for a league title. A 3-0 start got Gordy Combs' team off on the right foot, but consecutive losses to Holy Cross (17-14), Colgate (30-27 in overtime) and Lehigh (42-21) eliminated the Tigers from contention. Starting quarterback Kris Blake was dropped in favor of Val Troiani during the Lehigh contest, and led TU to a 4-1 record as a starter. A 15-13 win over Bucknell in the season's second-to-last week provided a quality touch on senior day.

OFFENSE: Troiani will be atop the depth chart at quarterback until further notice, with Blake relegated to third-string status for the Tigers. Troiani will hand off regularly to tailback Noah Read (1,422 yards, 35 receptions, 17 TD), who rushed for a league-best 1,422 yards a year ago in his first year as a starter. Fullback Gene Liebel (56 yards) will create some holes for Read. At receiver, Jamal White (49 receptions, 524 yards, 2 TD) will look to regain his 1999 form when he caught 82 passes and was named an All-American. Justin Mattera (2 receptions, 21 yards) is penciled in to replace graduated Adam Overbey on the other side, with Brandon White (22 receptions, 281 yards) also boasting wideout experience. Tight end Jon Grubb (1 receptions, 4 yards, 1 TD) will be used primarily for blocking purposes. The offensive line brings back three players with starting experience in tackles Geoff Waugh and Dan Szabo along with guard Jason Gunning.

DEFENSE: Eight starters graduated from last year's team and another transferred, so Combs will have to work some magic to make this a competitive unit. All four linemen will be brand new, including ends Jaran Starks (8 tackles, 2 sacks) and Steve Nance (2 tackles) combined with Juston Yelverton (26 tackles, 2 sacks) and James Dunn (5 tackles) on the interior. Combs will look for a great deal of leadership from linebackers Sean Hendricks (95 tackles, 1 sack) and Rusty McKinney (50 tackles, 2 sacks), the only two defensive starters back from last year's club. Jude Calin (10 tackles) is likely to round out the linebacking corps. Strong safety Sporty Evans (33 tackles, 4 INT) is the only member of the secondary with starting experience, and corners Edmund Carazo (9 tackles) and Matt Prizzi (2 tackles) will step in along with free safety Jarrod Streng (18 tackles).

SPECIAL TEAMS: Ed Kulic (11-16 FG, 30-34 XP) is back to kick for the Tigers, and Steve Bulcavage won the punting job in the spring. Jason Galloway (11.2 punt return avg., 18.0 kickoff return avg.) can return kicks and punts, and backup tailback Ben Dandy should lend a hand there as well.

SCHEDULE: Towson will again have the Patriot's least taxing non-conference schedule, as mid-majors Albany (Sept. 1) and Monmouth (Oct. 27) share the non-league slate with Morgan State (Sept. 29) and Yale (Sept. 15). A brutal three-game road stretch with Bucknell (Oct. 6), Lehigh (Oct. 13), and Colgate (Oct. 20) will likely determine the Tigers' fate.

PROGNOSIS: Towson, like Lehigh, Bucknell and Colgate, is a team with significant losses on the defensive side of the ball, but has an offense that should be able to move the football consistently. But the Tigers don't seem to be as deep as many of the Patriot League's teams, and experience will catch up with the team somewhere during the conference portion of the schedule. A beautiful renovation of Towson's Minnegan Stadium is set to be completed in September 2002, and it will be then that Tiger fans can begin talking about conference title aspirations.

6. Fordham (3-8, 1-5)

LAST YEAR: After going 0-11 in 1999, Fordham second-year head coach Dave Clawson picked up his first coaching win on Sept. 9 against Fairfield (34-7), and also earned his first road victory against Georgetown (17-10) and initial league triumph against Lafayette (31-28). The Rams were competitive most weeks, though they still finished near the bottom of most league statistical categories. The high-powered offense Clawson was known for when he was the offensive coordinator at Villanova couldn't quite get untracked, with the Rams averaging a league-low 165.7 passing yards per game.

OFFENSE: Clawson will look for more consistency this year from a Fordham offensive unit that continues to mature. Quarterback Mike Mucci (164-339, 1739 yards, 6 TD, 20 INT) is the incumbent at that position, after finishing third in the Patriot League in completions per game a year ago. Mucci's success will be made easier by tailbacks Arthur Gaskin (677 yards, 4 TD, 23 receptions) and Kirwin Watson (597 yards, 4 TD), both of whom saw extensive time in 2000. Fullback Alemayo White (289 yards, 2 TD) is back to forge a path for the team's tailbacks. All of Fordham's top wideouts from last season are back, with Javarus Dudley (48 receptions, 591 yards, 3 TD), Dan McGrath (29 receptions, 331 yards, 1 TD), and Kendal Creer (21 receptions, 209 yards, 1 TD) likely to pose as Mucci's top targets along with tight end Chris Harris (15 receptions, 196 yards, 1 TD). Four starters are back along the front line, including tackles Mark Manno and Mike Kne, guard John San Marco, and center Joe Wyda.

DEFENSE: Fordham's 2000 defense was improved over the 1999 edition, but still gave up 28.9 points per game, the second-worst figure in the league. Three returning starters are in place up front, as tackles Charles Mull (47 tackles, 6 sacks) and Maurice Briscoe (32 tackles, 2 sacks) will combine with Aymen Aboushi (35 tackles, 2 sacks) in the trenches. End Keron Lucius (14 tackles, 1 sack), a six-game starter before missing the remainder of the year with a knee injury, should round out the line. Linebacker could be a strength for Fordham, provided Chris Breen (56 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) and Tony Downs (27 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) can avoid the injuries that beset them last season. Leading tackler Brad Fradenburg (86 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) will once again pace the LBs. Defensive back is a giant question mark, as most of last year's corps in the defensive backfield has departed. Safeties Chris Rhodes (56 tackles, 4 INT) and Gerome Robinson (40 tackles, 3 INT) have seen plenty of time, while cornerbacks Paul Casey, William Davis (16 tackles), and Andrew Grane appeared on last season's final two-deep roster.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rams are set here, with kicker Brian Colsant (15-20 FG, 22-23 XP) and punter Matt Fordyce (36.0 avg.) both back. Javarus Dudley (21.3 avg.) served as Fordham's primary kickoff returner last year, while punt returner Dan McGrath (7.0 avg.) is also back.

SCHEDULE: Fordham opens with two winnable games, as a road date with Fairfield (Sept. 8) precedes the home opener with Columbia (Sept. 22). Road games with Colgate (Sept. 22) and Towson (Nov. 10) will be tough, but the Rams will play Lehigh (Oct. 20), Bucknell (Oct. 27), and Holy Cross (Nov. 17) within the friendly confines of Coffey Field.

PROGNOSIS: A 3-19 record over two years might not seem like progress to some, but Dave Clawson has managed a complete overhaul of the Fordham program since arriving in 1999. Experience and depth have all improved at Fordham, and 2001 will be a year in which the Rams establish themselves as one of the league's young upstarts. Three or four conference wins is not outside the realm of possibility, and Clawson and company could challenge for a winning record into November.

7. Lafayette (2-9, 1-5)

LAST YEAR: Frank Tavani's first year as head coach at Lafayette was also the Leopards' worst since 1964, as the team finished tied for last place with Fordham in league play. LC's problems stemmed from the defensive side of the ball, where they finished last in the league in rushing defense (162.8), pass efficiency defense (136.3), total defense (388.6) and scoring defense (31.8). Offensively things weren't so dire, as the Leopards sported the league's top passing attack behind quarterback Marko Glavic and receiver Phil Yarberough. Following the season, Glavic was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year and Yarberough, Lafayette's all-time leading receiver, was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year.

OFFENSE: Back to run the offense is the 6-6, 225-pound Glavic (159-297, 1964 yards, 12 TD, 12 INT), who led the Patriot League in passing yards last season and was the first Leopard in five years to throw for over 1,000 yards and complete 50 percent of his passes. But things will get tougher for the sophomore without the services of Yarberough, who ran away with the league receiving title last year. Glavic will have a few quality receivers in place to pick up the slack, with Andrew May (25 receptions, 482 yards, 6 TD), Jim Dietz (19 receptions, 247 yards, 1 TD), and Jeremy Burkes (34 receptions, 274 yards) each back in the fold. Tight end Stewart Kupfer (18 receptions, 209 yards, 3 TD) will also be an option. There is not as much depth at running back, where leading rusher Scott Warden (457 yards, 5 TD, 18 receptions) has moved to the fullback slot and sophomore Ed Carter will be given a chance at tailback. The line brings back All-Patriot center Chris Royle and the left-side combination of guard Paul Stack and tackle Kevin Moss, but new starters Dan Errigo and Eric Keto on the right side will have to mesh early.

DEFENSE: Six starters are gone on defense, which could be the good news in light of the Leopards' problems on that side last season. Up front, tackle Barret Diefenderfer (22 tackles, 3 sacks) will have to work with three new accomplices, and end Jorge Rosa (10 tackles) and Pat Brown (3 tackles) should combine with tackle Philip Burger (5 tackles) to round out the unit. At linebacker, Nick Boccagno (79 tackles, 3 sacks) and Matt Bourdon (41 tackles, 2 sacks) are back in the lineup, and Adriel Linyear (30 tackles) should settle at the third LB slot after shuttling between that position and running back a year ago. Cornerback Herb Kennedy (57 tackles) and free safety Rob Wildsasin (21 tackles, 1 INT) should stabilize the secondary, while corner Darnell Azeez (11 tackles, 1 INT) will attempt to return from an ankle injury sustained last season and Anthony Hawthorne (3 tackles, 1 INT) will round out the defensive backfield from the strong safety position.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Punter Adam Holt (35.0 avg.) and kicker Martin Brecht (5-9 FG, 27-27 XP) are both back in Easton, and top return specialist Joel Cesare (18.8 kickoff return avg., 7.7 punt return avg.) will also be a special teams component.

SCHEDULE: The Leopards start with three of four on the road, and games at Towson (Sept. 8), Princeton (Sept. 15), and Harvard (Sept. 29) will be tough as will the lone September home game with Penn (Sept. 22). The most winnable games at Fisher Field will be the dates with Columbia (Oct. 6) and Fordham (Nov. 3), while Georgetown (Nov. 10) is the most likely road win. Then, of course, there is "The Rivalry" at Lehigh (Nov. 17), which Lafayette has not defeated since 1994.

PROGNOSIS: Tavani injected enthusiasm upon his hiring at Lafayette, opening up the offense and attracting more spectators than Fisher Field has seen in more than a decade. But now it's time to put a winning product on the field, and that could remain a tall order. Glavic is one of the Patriot League's bright young stars, and if he continues to improve the offense will continue to excel. But the Leopards' defense was atrocious last year, and a look at this year's two-deep doesn't point to a lot of progress. Another second-division Patriot League finish is probable for Tavani and company.

8. Georgetown (5-6 as I-AA Independent)

LAST YEAR: Georgetown's transition year from the MAAC Football League to the Patriot saw the team grappling with old foes and looking ahead to future opponents. The Hoyas went 3-2 in its farewell to the MAAC contingent, losing to conference powers Duquesne (44-20) and Fairfield (38-14). Bob Benson's club was competitive, but still 0-3, against Patriot League teams, falling to Holy Cross (38-22), Fordham (17-10), and Bucknell (24-10) at Kehoe Field. A highlight of the Hoyas' first losing season since 1993 was a 57-56 barn-burner against Butler, when wideout Gharun Hetser had 271 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

OFFENSE: Five starters are back on Georgetown's offense, which will operate out of a multiple-I set. The Hoyas should be set in the starting backfield, as quarterback Dave Paulus (149-273, 2147 yards, 20 TD, 16 INT, 125 rushing yards) returns along with tailback Jamarr Staples (414 rushing yards, 7 TD) and fullback Aaron Brown (294 rushing yards, 3 TD). Wideout is another story, as the talented Hester graduated as the school's all-time leading receiver and scorer. Trenton Hillier (34 receptions, 357 yards, 1 TD), last year's number two receiver, will likely be the go-to guy for Paulus. Tight end Bo Cote (10 receptions, 74 yards) will be another viable pass-catching option for Paulus. The remainder of the offensive line figures to take its lumps against the quality teams of the Patriot League, but will feature left tackle Ed Kuczma and right guard Stephen Cook, among others.

DEFENSE: The Hoyas employ a 5-2 set, so strong play from the defensive line will be important to the team's success. Ends Eric Speron (38 tackles, 4 sacks) and Mike Schrama (24 tackles) are both back, along with tri-captain Brian Blankenship (22 tackles, 2 sacks) at tackle and Scott Pogolorec (37 tackles) at nose guard. Leading tackler Matthew Craffey (85 tackles, 6 sacks) will head the linebacking corps, with senior Ryan Merse (15 tackles) the top candidate for the other LB slot. All four starters from last year's secondary have graduated, so new starters such as safeties Matt Fronczke (12 tackles) and Ryan Cooper (16 tackles) will be counted on heavily. Dan Doherty and John Perko will have their hands full at the cornerback slots.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Special teams is one department where Georgetown is on the same page as the rest of the Patriot, with kicker Marc Samuel (6-8 FG, 32-34 XP) and quarterback/punter combination David Paulus (37.6 avg.) both back. Robert Wingate Robinson (20.3 avg.) will once again return kickoffs, while Luke McArdle is a top candidate to bring back punts.

SCHEDULE: The Hoyas will play six of the seven Patriot League teams, since Colgate could not alter its schedule to accommodate GU. The first two games, Lehigh (Sept. 1) and Holy Cross (Sept. 8) will present a big challenge. Benson and company kept the mid-majors among their non-conference opponents, with Wagner (Sept. 15), Marist (Oct. 27), and San Diego (Nov. 3) the most winnable games. Duquesne (Oct. 6) and Davidson (Oct. 13) will both give the Hoyas problems.

PROGNOSIS: Georgetown won't compete for a conference title in its first year in the Patriot League, since the Hoyas will be physically dominated by most of its new conference foes. But don't expect PL teams to beat up on Bob Benson's team for long, since Benson proved worthy of upgrading the program's talent once before. Georgetown moved to I-AA in 1993, and the head coach built the squad into a MAAC power in a few short years. With Georgetown's name meshing with that of the Patriot League, expect the talent base to improve and GU to become a competitor in the near future.