University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutemen Prepare For 2003 Season
July 24, 2003 | Football
July 24, 2003
Complete 2003 Season Outlook in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Coming off a 2002 season in which it posted an overall record of 8-4 and tied for third place in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 6-3 mark, the University of Massachusetts football team looks to build toward a return to the Division I-AA playoffs in 2003. Even though a few key players need to be replaced, the Minutemen return 17 starters to what could be the school's most talented team in recent years. With some talented transfers and freshmen added into the mix, UMass should once again be in contention to win the Atlantic 10 championship this fall.
The Minutemen should again feature one of the most powerful offenses in the country, after posting some impressive numbers last year. Seven starters return from a group which averaged 27.2 points and 370.0 yards of total offense per game.
"We are certainly way more experienced overall on offense than we were last year," says head coach Mark Whipple. "At most positions, we are also a little bit deeper. There are some very talented players at the skill positions, who give us the potential to be as good on offense as any team that I have had at UMass."
The defense also looks to be stacked with 10 starters back, including a pair of All-Americans. Last season, UMass held the opposition to 20.8 points and 345.6 yards per game, as seven teams were held to 16 points or less. The 2002 Minutemen also ranked fourth in the country in forced turnovers with 37, while posting a +11 turnover margin to rank 12th nationally.
"I think that defense can be our strength this year," says Whipple. "We have an unbelievable amount of experience, and after the progress we made during the offseason, I expect us to have one of the best defenses in both the league and the country."
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of how the Minutemen should look in 2003.
Quarterback
 |
| Senior Jeff Krohn |
"Jeff Krohn is one of our captains, and that speaks volumes about his leadership," says Whipple. "When he is on the field, it raises the confidence level of all his teammates. And with him at quarterback our offense can explode any time, regardless of what the scoreboard says. He is certainly as good as anyone else in the country, and our offense will revolve around him this season."
Sophomore Tim Day returns as Krohn's backup, after having a solid season as a true freshman in 2002. Day completed 34 of 64 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns last year, while coming off the bench to lead UMass to victories over Villanova and Delaware when Krohn was hurt. Sophomore Scott Ratliff looks to push Day for the backup job.
Running Back
 |
| Sophomore R.J. Cobbs |
"With R.J. Cobbs and Raunny Rosario, our one-two punch at tailback is as good as anybody in the Atlantic 10," says Whipple. "Since both those guys can catch the ball out of the backfield, it also gives us a lot of flexibility on offense. They are both unselfish, team players, which gives us a really good situation."
Joining the talented combination of Cobbs and Rosario at tailback will be redshirt freshmen Justin Montgomery and sophomore Steve Baylark.
The Minutemen also return their top fullback in junior Steve Wysocki, who has caught three passes for 17 yards over the last two seasons, in addition to serving as an outstanding blocker. Pushing Wysocki for playing time is redshirt freshman Kyle Harrington, who rushed for 3,082 yards and 48 touchdowns during his prep career at Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, N.H.
"Steve Wysocki is a really solid blocker, and Kyle Harrington has really improved," says Whipple. "Once Harrington gains some experience, we should have a good combination at fullback to help our offense."
Wide Receiver
 |
| Senior Jimmie Howard |
Sophomore Greg Scott and junior Dominique Stewart should both see increased playing time, after gaining valuable experience last year. Cobbs also saw some work at wide receiver during spring practice, and could contribute at two positions. In addition, the Minutemen may look to a true freshman to become an immediate contributor.
"We lost some receivers who will be hard to replace, so we are going to need a number of guys to step up and contribute," says Whipple. "Jimmie Howard and Jason Peebler have both started a number of games for us, and we expect them to be more productive this year. Greg Scott and Dominique Stewart are two other experienced guys who should be able to help us. Overall, we should have a very fast and athletic group."
Tight End
 |
| Junior Eugene Sigmund |
"All three of our tight ends have good experience, and each one brings something a little different to the team," says Whipple. "Eugene Sigmund is the best blocker, Sean Young is a prototype tight end physically, and Mike Douglas might have the most athletic ability. All three guys will contribute, and we may use more two-tight end, one-back sets, since we are a little deeper at tight end than we are at fullback."
Offensive Line
 |
| Senior Carmen Collins |
"We have more flexibility, more experience and will be a little deeper on the offensive line than we were last year," says Whipple. "We have the potential for them to be a pretty strong group, not only this year, but down the road. I expect our line gets better as the year goes on, once everyone learns their roles."
Defensive Line
 |
| Senior Valdamar Brower |
"Valdamar Brower was as good as anyone in the league last season, and I expect him to take another step up this year," says Whipple. "He is the one guy who can single handedly rush the passer, run people down and make outstanding plays. I expect him to be the most dominant defensive lineman in the Atlantic 10."
Returning to the starting lineup alongside Brower are senior defensive end Doran Davis (58 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in 2002) and senior nose guard Ian Dyche (26 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks last year). The experience does not end there, as seniors Mike Haynes and Malik Hall will return to their roles as backups, while sophomores Keron Williams and redshirt freshman Jason Leonard will look to win increased playing time. In addition, this group will be bolstered by the addition of senior Colin Christopher, a transfer from Indiana University who joins the team.
"Every key member of our defensive line is back, and we also add Colin Christopher," says Whipple. "We are bigger, stronger and faster this year, and will benefit from the experience all of the seniors have. Having success on the defensive line is all about working hard on every play. With all of the depth we have, we can rotate players to keep everyone fresh, which should only make us better."
Linebacker
 |
| Senior Jeremy Cain |
"Jeremy Cain was our best defensive player last year," says Whipple. "He is hungry for more success, and certainly has a chance to follow in the footsteps of Khari Samuel and Kole Ayi. He is an outstanding playmaker, and is the kind of guy who you just love to coach."
Senior Mike Ziccardi also returns to the starting lineup at outside linebacker, after posting 83 tackles in 2002, with a team-best 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Redshirt freshman Ola Sanusi should also become a key contributor off the bench.
The Minutemen suffer their lone loss from the defensive starting lineup at inside linebacker with the graduation of Corey Potter, but have more than enough talent to make up for it. Senior Mark Kimener returns as one starter, after totaling 93 tackles with 16 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions last year. Sophomores Serge Tikum, who totaled 36 tackles last season, and L.A. Love, who sat out in 2002 as a medical redshirt after totaling 50 tackles as a part-time starter in 2001, look to battle for the other starting spot.
"We fell pretty good at the four linebacker positions, because we have six players who are all good enough to start," says Whipple. "We should be a little more physical at linebacker this year, because we have a number of fast players who have all gotten bigger and stronger."
Secondary
 |
| Senior Anton McKenzie |
"With Shannon James and Anton McKenzie, we will have an outstanding combination at safety," says Whipple. "Last fall, McKenzie was coming off an injury and James was a freshman, so we are light years ahead of where we were then. And both of them are talented enough to play any spot in the secondary if necessary."
At cornerback, a pair of juniors look to return to their starting roles in Bobby Boyer and Steve Costello. Boyer posted 56 tackles with six pass breakups and one interception last season, while Costello had 39 tackles with a team-high four interceptions and seven pass breakups. Pushing them for a starting job will be junior Leroy Brooks, who recorded 40 tackles and six pass breakups as a part-time starter in 2002. Junior Ricky Appiah and freshman Tracy Belton will also look to win playing time.
"Steve Costello and Bobby Boyer have continued to improve, and will give us a really solid duo at cornerback," says Whipple. "Last year we were really young in the defensive backfield, and I think it hurt us early in the season. But our players really grew up, and now we are much more efficient and consistent due to their experience."
Special Teams
 |
| Junior Jason Peebler |
"We do not have much in the way of experience, but we have some talented young kickers who we think can help us," says Whipple. "I expect our protections and our coverage teams to be much better than last year, and all of our snappers and holders are also back. Hopefully that will put our kickers in a position to be successful. If we can get some guys to step up early in the season, then we should improve as the year progresses."
As for kick returners, the Minutemen should have many players to chose from. Cobbs, Howard and Peebler all have experience returning kickoffs, and will compete for those spots during the spring. Those three and Costello will be in the running to replace graduated punt returner DeShon Hardy.
"We have some guys with really good experience in R.J. Cobbs, Jimmie Howard and Jason Peebler," says Whipple. "We also have some young guys coming in with good speed who could contribute."
Schedule
 |
| UMass plays seven home games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium this season. |
The Minutemen play their final non-conference game at home against Hofstra, in a contest which will count in the league standings for the Pride, but not for UMass. After a date at Villanova, the Minutemen return to McGuirk Stadium to play back-to-back games against Northeastern and Richmond. Following a road trip to Delaware, UMass closes out the regular season at home against Rhode Island.
"It is great for us to open at home again this year, to help us get off to a good start," says Whipple. "Then we will certainly play the best team that we have ever faced at UMass, in Kansas State. And the focal game for us as a football team is against Maine. We have not won our opening league road contest since I have been the coach at UMass. After that, we have to be prepared for a tough Atlantic 10 opponent every week."
Wrap-Up
With 17 starters returning and a number of quality backups looking to win starting jobs, the Minutemen should once again have the ingredients necessary to build a championship team. With a strong contingent of seniors ready to lead the way, UMass should be ready for the tough schedule it faces early in the season. Look for the Minutemen to be in the hunt for the Atlantic 10 crown and an NCAA playoff bid come November.
"Our team should be hungry for success this season," says Whipple. "We were good enough to win the Atlantic 10 last year, but we came up just short. We are good enough to win it this year, but so are the other 10 teams. If we develop maturity, avoid injuries to key players and play well away from home, we should have a successful season."
