The Lord Jeffs will open their 2002 campaign by hosting the Bobcats of Bates College this Saturday at Pratt Field. Amherst has won its last 10 home games dating back to 1999 and should be heavily favored to extend the streak to 11 against a Bates team which has struggled mightily the past several seasons. However, Bates, which finished last season 1-7, defeated Amherst in the two schools' last meeting back in 1999 and returns 18 of 22 starters from their 2001 team. Amherst finished last season with an impressive 7-1 record good for second place in the NESCAC, but ended their 2001 campaign with a heartbreaking 23-20 overtime loss to archrival and NESCAC champion Williams College. This year's Jeff squad has a lot of talent but must replace several key players from last year, including eight starters on their vaunted defense.