University of Massachusets Athletics
Austin, Hatchell, Moore, Walker Named 2007 UMass Football Captains
May 09, 2007 | Football
May 9, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass head coach Don Brown has announced the 2007 football team captains. Four seniors, two on each side of the ball will serve as the leaders for the upcoming season. Offensive lineman Matt Austin, linebacker Jason Hatchell, wide receiver J.J. Moore and linebacker Charles Walker have all been named captains. UMass opens the 2007 season on Sept. 1 as Holy Cross comes to McGuirk Stadium.
All four players were honored as All-Atlantic 10 performers in 2006 as UMass advanced to the national championship game. The Minutemen finished 13-2 including a school-record 12-game win streak.
Austin was named a Sports Network I-AA/FCS Third Team All-American in addition to being named a Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American, an ECAC I-AA First-Team All-Star and Atlantic 10 First-Team honor and New England Football Writers All-Star. He started 14 of 15 games at left tackle in helping UMass to one of the lowest sacks allowed totals in the nation.
Hatchell was named to Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division 1 Second-Team Defense, the Don Hansen All-Northeast Region First Team in addition to being an Atlantic 10 First-Team honor and New England Football Writers All-Star. He led UMass in tackles for the second year in a row with 134. He has led UMass in tackles in 16 of the last 26 games overall. He also ranks in the top 10 in UMass history in career assisted tackles.
Moore was an Atlantic 10 Third-Team performer in 2006. He is the leading returning receiver for 2007 after he had 46 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns last year. He is also the top punt return man with 30 returns for 244 yards. He became the eighth player in UMass history with more than 100 career catches last year. He stands fifth in career catches with 106 and ninth in career receiving yards with 1337.
Walker was an Atlantic 10 Second-Team linebacker and Don Hansen All-Northeast Region Honorable Mention in 2006 after he had 131 tackles including a team-high 94 assisted tackles. He was second to Hatchell in total tackles. He had 35 tackles in four NCAA Tournament games including a team-best 11 in the title game against Appalachian State. Back in 2004, he tied the school record for tackles in a game with 24 against Delaware.
