The 2000 Lord Jeffs held their ground on the national scene in several defensive categories. Besides being ranked fourth overall in the ECAC New England Region Poll, the squad boasted a tough defense, with national rankings of 17th in total defense (233.1 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (8.8 points per game). The Amherst line shut down its competitors, and the other side of the Jeff schedule mustered, on average, only 86.8 yards per game in rushing defense.
Last year's squad featured a core of veterans from the Class of 2001. The 2000 Jeffs rolled out the points through the signal-calling of three-year starting quarterback Peter Honig '01. Honig, who earned a Second Team All-NESCAC designation, completed 52.3 percent of his passes, for a total of 1,251 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cornerback Brian Daoust '01 dominated his position and left Amherst as a D3Football.com All-American, First Team All-NESCAC, All-ECAC and All-Region selection.
Classmate Steve Yung also left a hole at corner, and Dave Frankel '01 graduated from the free safety position as a Second-Team All-NESCAC honoree, along with offensive lineman Mike Somerville '01 and defensive lineman Ted Hollo '01. This year, Head Coach E.J. Mills will also have to find a way to juggle the losses of wide receiver Matt Hall '01, along with defensive tackle Ken Barrington '01 and special teamers Liam Fleming '01 and Joe Larkin '01.
Mills and his coaching staff has their work cut out for them with the loss of the dominating Class of 2001. However, the problem for Mills is not finding upcoming starters-it's choosing his upcoming starters from a bevy of talented contenders. Signal-callers Bob Loree '02 and Jeff Browne '03 have the seniority, but sophomores Jim Devine and Tom Sullivan are both close on their heels for the starting job.
While the quarterback slot is wide open, the tailback position has officially been filled. Okey Ugwonali '02, listed as a 2001 preseason All-American, rushed for 856 yards on 156 carries last year, grabbing First Team All-NESCAC honors along the way. Ugwonali will be coupled with two juniors, fullback Jeff Ryan and Kevin Kennard-who trailed Ugwonali with 382 rushing yards during the 2000 campaign while splitting time at tailback and fullback.
Maintaining his spot at wide receiver will be Quad-captain Derrell Wright '02. Wright-who made his mark last year with a conference-
leading seven touchdown receptions and a total 640 yards on 39 catches-will set the example for his younger counterparts, juniors J.P. Zito, Brian Hart and Todd Gately.
Finally, the Jeff roster will feature tight ends Alex Popp '04 and Quad-captain Matt Flavin '02. The O-line will be anchored by Second Team All-NESCAC selection Rob Vernicek '03, who will work with other returning starters, seniors Brendan Carolin, center Josh Ahearn and Colin Renz.
"The senior class dictates the way things go," said Head Coach E.J. Mills. "They set the tone for the season, and it's important that they lead the rest of the team."
Overall, the Jeff offense looks to continue its dominance over the competition. The biggest question is Honig's replacement at quarterback. However, with four strong contenders, the position will stay strong no matter which one Mills picks. For the most part, the Amherst offensive staff will be manned by veterans who have been playing together for at least one
season. The comfort level among the players should be high, and given the strength of the individual talent in the pool, early-season kinks will resolve themselves quickly.
On the defensive end, Mills and his staff will look to upperclass leadership to continue the trend of stifling defense that has become an Amherst trademark in the last several years. First Team All-NESCAC selection and Quad-captain Pat McGee '02 will anchor the squad at defensive tackle, and juniors Pat Hayes, Jeff Bogino and Ryan Moriarty will also play a vital role for the Jeff defense. Brad Hensley '02 and classmate Kevin Bush will take the nose guard position, with sophomores Mike Harrison and Mike Nerone filling in the depth chart behind them. Brian Landolfi '02 and Quad-captain Dan Lalli '02 will head up the linebacker set. Last year, Lalli garnered First Team All-NESCAC honors with 70 tackles and added 55 more takedowns to the mix. Along with Gregg Stankewicz '02 at outside linebacker, Ian Ward '03 and Gene Nogi '02 will also step in for the Jeff defense.
Mills termed the secondary, "the biggest question mark right now." Coming up for the cornerback position are Paul Whiting '04, who had a promising rookie season last year, and Geoff Dewire '02, who could easily make the conversion from safety to cornerback. Rounding out the defensive mix are juniors Joe Rubbone, Fletcher Ladd and Paul Miceli. Finally, Jay Hutchins '02 led the Jeffs in tackles last season with 76, and will provide some valuable senior leadership at strong safety.
Geoff Bough '03 and classmate Mike Proman will man the punter and placekicker positions, respectively. While Bough established himself last year with a 33.2-yard average on 48 kicks, Proman will look to fill Fleming's spot. On punt returns, as well as the possibility of kickoff returns, the Jeffs will look to Wright as much as possible. Last year, Wright handled 34 kicks for a total of 262 yards.
The Jeff defense, while featuring several new faces, should be up to the same standards as last year's roadblock unit. Much like the 2001 offense, the strong talent and depth of the defense should overshadow any preseason shortcomings early on. The Jeffs will kick off their 2001 campaign at Hamilton College on Sept. 22. They will initiate Pratt Field the following Saturday against Bowdoin College.