University of Massachusets Athletics

University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site - Football

1998 Player Bios II

Tehran Hunter

Senior * DB * 5-8 * 150

Piscataway, N.J. (Nassau CC)

Listed as the starter at one corner slot ... Also the top punt returner on the squad ... Transferred from Nassau Community College prior to the 1997 season ... 1997: Saw action in 10 games at conerback, making one start (Delaware) ... Finished with 27 tackles (22 solo) with one interception which he returned for a touchdown ... Had seven punt returns for 66 yards (9.4 avg.) ... Posted his finest game of the season in the 26-20 victory at Buffalo (Oct. 18), where he returned his first career interception 100 yards for a touchdown ... The 100-yard interception return for a touchdown marked the third time in UMass history (and first time in 20 years) that a player had recorded a 100-yard interception return for a score ... Also added four tackles (all solo) and returned three punts for 38 yards, including a career-long 19-yard return ... Made a career-high 10 tackles (nine solo) vs. Delaware in lone start (Oct. 25) ... Recorded five tackles (two solo) at Boston University (Nov. 8) ... Before UMass: Played for George Power at Nassau Community College in his freshman and sophomore seasons, the same feeder school which produced former UMass cornerbacks Breon Parker and Kory Blackwell ... Two-year starter at cornerback while at Nassau ... Recorded 10 interceptions in his two seasons, including a team-high six as a sophomore ... Had one interception return for a touchdown as a sophomore ... Also a punt returner at Nassau, with a career-long return of 88 yards ... Nassau posted a 20-2 overall mark in his two seasons ... Played his high school ball for Joe Kuronyi at Piscataway High School ... Also ran track at both Nassau and Piscataway ... Personal: Full name is Tehran T. Hunter ... Son of Theodore and Vallie Hunter ... Born January 26, 1976 in New Brunswick, N.J. ... Majoring in Sociology.

Matt Jordan

Senior * RB * 5-11 * 210

Derry, N.H. (Pinkerton Academy)

Enters his senior campaign as the starting fullback ... Has the versatility to also play tailback ... Extremely hard runner who gains most of his yards after contact ... Excellent receiver out of the backfield ... Also an outstanding blocker ... Has played in 30 career games, making two starts ... 1997: Saw action in 10 games as a reserve fullback (all but Maine) ... Registered 36 carries for 151 yards (4.2 avg.) and one touchdown ... Named to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic team with a 3.04 GPA ... His 151 yards rushing was good for fourth on the team ... Entered the year as the starting tailback, but was plagued by a sore left hamstring for most of the season ... Rushed for 40 yards on just three carries vs. Hofstra (Nov. 1) ... Had 15 carries for 35 yards including a three-yard touchdown run at Villanova (Oct. 11) ... Recorded 30 yards on four carries at Boston University (Nov. 8) ... 1996: Played in nine games, making two starts (Rhode Island and Connecticut) ... Missed first two games of season (Villanova and Holy Cross) with a sore right hamstring ... Rushed for 327 yards and five touchdowns on 83 carries (3.9 avg) ... Third on the team in rushing yards (327) and carries (83) ... Tied for second on the team in touchdowns (five) and tied for third in points (30) ... Made five receptions for 57 yards (11.4 avg.) ... Posted 112 yards with a career-high two touchdowns on 17 carries, while also catching a 22-yard pass on a key third down play in leading the Minutemen to a 21-14 win over Northeastern (Sept. 28) ... Had a 70-yard touchdown run in the Northeastern game matching the longest touchdown run of his career ... Rushed for 53 yards on 16 carries at Rhode Island (Oct. 5) ... Had two receptions for a career-high 28 yards while rushing for 49 yards on 14 carries at William & Mary (Nov. 9) ... Ran for 60 yards on 12 carries in the win over Connecticut (Nov. 16) ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the fall semester ... One of two UMass players (Bryan Healy) selected to the Yankee Conference All-Academic team ... 1995: Played in all 11 games ... Served as a backup to Frank Alessio at the tailback position ... Rushed for 564 yards and three touchdowns on 76 carries ... Third on the team in rushing yards (564), carries (76) and rushing touchdowns (three) ... Had an impressive 7.4 yards per carry average for the season, second best on the club ... His 564 yards rushing was the third best single season performance by a freshman in UMass history ... Ran for a career-high 174 yards and one touchdown on just six carries in the 44-36 win over Lehigh (Oct. 28) ... Had a career-long run of 75 yards and a 70-yard scamper for the touchdown in the game ... Set a school single-game record for highest average yards per carry in the game (29.0) ... Named the Yankee Conference Rookie of the Week for his effort vs. Lehigh ... Carried the ball 20 times for 97 yards and one touchdown vs. New Hampshire (Oct. 7) ... Ran for 92 yards and his first collegiate touchdown on 15 carries in the 51-0 win over Holy Cross (Sept. 16) ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the spring semester ... 1994: Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in both the fall and spring semesters ... Also named to the Dean's List (3.5 GPA) for the spring semester ... High School: Played for Brian O'Reilly at Pinkerton Academy ... Ran for 4,099 career yards and a New Hampshire state record 76 career touchdowns during his scholastic years ... Ran for 1,610 yards on 155 carries for an eye-catching 10.4 yards per carry during his senior season ... Posted 27 rushing touchdowns, nine receiving touchdowns and one interception return for a score to set a state single season record of 38 touchdowns ... All-State, All-Area and All-Division I first-team selection for three consecutive years ... Led his high school to three straight state titles ... State of New Hampshire Male Athlete of the Year as a senior ... Two-time Gatorade New Hampshire Player of the Year ... Lawrence Eagle-Tribune and Nashua Telegraph Player of the Year in his junior and senior years ... Manchester Union Leader Male Athlete of the Year as a senior ... All-Scholastic choice during his senior season by the Boston Globe ... Also an excellent sprinter for the track team ... Appeared in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" during his senior year ... Personal: Full name is Matthew Robert Jordan ... Son of Brian and Denise Jordan ... Born September 16, 1976 in Concord, Mass. ... His father, Brian, is a 1971 UMass graduate ... Majoring in Sport Management.

Bryan King

Sophomore * DB * 6-0 * 184

Downingtown, Pa. (Downington)

Slated as the backup to Brian Smith at strong safety heading into spring drills ... Has shown good speed and cover ability in practice, but still needs to gain game experience ... Redshirted in 1996 ... 1997: Saw action in all 11 games at defensive back ... Registered 21 tackles (11 solo) ... Made a career-high five tackles (three solo) vs. Hofstra (Nov. 1) ... Recorded four tackles (two solo) vs. New Hampshire (Oct. 4) ... Had three tackles (two solo) at Maine (Sept. 13) ... Posted three tackles (one solo) vs. Connecticut (Nov. 15) ... High School: Played defensive back and wide receiver for John Barr at Downington ... Made two interceptions during his senior season ... Averaged 30 yards per kickoff return and 14 yards per punt return, taking two back for touchdowns ... Named first-team All-Chesmont League and Philadelphia Daily News second-team All-Area at defensive back during his senior season ... Also selected Philadelphia Daily News honorable mention All-Area at wide receiver as a senior ... Team captain in his senior year ... Team went 13-1 during his junior campaign ... Personal: Full name is Bryan Charles King ... Son of John and Ruth King ... Born May 11, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pa. ... Majoring in Sport Management.

James Kirnon

Senior * RB * 5-9 * 228

Roxbury, Mass. (Boston Latin)

Will compete for time at the tailback slot ... Has shown excellent work ethic in the weight room ... Solid blocking back ... 1997: Did not see any game action ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in both the fall and spring semesters ... 1996: Saw action in one game (Boston University), carrying the ball once for one yard ... 1995: Did not see any game action ... High School: Four-year letterwinner who played offensive guard and nose tackle for Paul Costello at Boston Latin ... Two-time All-Dual County League selection ... Team captain as a senior ... Personal: Full name is James Alec Kirnon ... Son of Karen Kirnon ... Born March 3, 1976 in Boston, Mass. ... Majoring in Microbiology.

Tyler Lauback

Sophomore * OL * 6-3 * 273

Weston, Mass. (Weston)

Slated to be the starter at right guard ... Came to UMass as a defensive tackle, but made the switch to offensive line prior to last season ... Brings a great work ethic and determination to the field ... Redshirted in 1996 ... 1997: Saw action in five games at right guard, making three starts (James Madison, Rhode Island and Connecticut) ... Began preseason practice as a defensive tackle, but moved to the offensive line prior to the start of the regular season ... Had a severely sprained right ankle in the Rhode Island game which forced him to miss six games ... Was productive when he started, paving the way for Marcel Shipp to rush for 289 yards in those three starts (96.3 ypg) ... High School: Four-year letterwinner for Al O'Hara at Weston ... Made 155 career tackles as a three-year starter ... Recorded 92 tackles, including 13 sacks and 10 pass breakups during his senior campaign ... Named to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic team and the Middlesex News All-Star team as a senior ... Played in the Shriner's All-Star game following his senior year ... Personal: Full name is Tyler Reese Lauback ... Son of Scott and Barbara Lauback ... Born September 5, 1978 in Boston, Mass. ... Majoring in English.

Steve Ley

Sophomore * WR * 6-2 * 195

Philadelphia, Pa. (Penn Charter)

Top returning wide receiver on the team ... Coaching staff predicts he will be one of the top surprises on the squad ... Excellent all-around athlete with good hands ... Should see a lot of balls thrown his way in Mark Whipple's new offensive scheme ... Redshirted in 1996 ... 1997: Saw action in all 11 games at wide receiver ... Registered nine receptions for 105 yards (11.7 avg.) and one touchdown ... Caught three passes for 41 yards vs. Delaware (Oct. 25) ... Made two catches for 30 yards in the 26-20 victory at Buffalo (Oct. 18) ... Scored his first collegiate touchdown on an eight-yard catch vs. Connecticut (Nov. 15) ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the fall 1997 semester ... 1996: Named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the spring 1997 semester ... High School: Four-year letterwinner at wide receiver and linebacker for Brian McCluskey at Penn Charter ... Made 44 receptions for 540 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Also recorded 101 tackles and five interceptions, averaged over 15 yards per punt return and returned a kickoff for a touchdown ... Named to the Philadelphia Daily News All-City first-team as a senior ... Team captain and MVP in his senior campaign ... Also served as team captain for the basketball and track squads ... All-Interac League choice in basketball as a junior ... Won the league triple jump crown during his junior season (43-11) and long jumped over 22 feet while at Penn Charter ... Personal: Full name is Steve R. Ley ... Son of Steve and Judy Ley ... Born June 22, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pa. ... Majoring in Sport Management.

Andrew Maclay

Senior * P * 6-4 * 195

Stroudsburg, Pa. (Stroudsburg)

All-Atlantic 10 Conference candidate who will go down as one of the top punters in school history ... Begins his fourth season as the starting punter ... Already holds seven UMass punting records: career punting average (37.9), longest punt (78 yds), single-season punting average (40.1), single-season punting yards (3,028), single-season punts (79), single-game punts (13) and single-game punting yards (489) ... Also ranks second at UMass in career punting yards (8,293) and tied for second in career punts (219) ... Kicks off and is the top holder for the Minutemen ... Will also serve as the top backup to Matt Murphy at placekicker ... Has played in 33 career games ... Also has played three years as a walk-on swingman for the UMass basketball team ... 1997: Played in all 11 games ... Punted 73 times for 2,924 yards (40.1 avg.) ... Finished fifth in the Atlantic 10 in punting (40.1 avg.) ... Placed at least three punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line in five of the 11 games on the season ... Broke the UMass single-season record for highest punting average (40.1 avg.), becoming the first player in school history to average over 40 yards per punt in a season ... Recorded a punting average of over 40.0 yards per punt in six of the 11 games ... Had six punts of over 50 yards on the season ... Made 3-of-5 field goals on the season ... Converted on 7-of-11 PATs on the season ... Had a school-record 78-yard punt at Boston University (Nov. 8) ... Punted seven times for 309 yards and a career-high 44.1 average in the 18-14 victory over Rhode Island (Sept. 27) ... Averaged 43.6 yards on eight punts vs. Hofstra (Nov. 1) ... Posted a 41.7 average on seven kicks and made a 32-yard field goal vs. New Hampshire (Oct. 4) ... Kicked a career-long 33-yard field goal vs. Delaware (Oct. 25) ... Connected on a 24-yard field goal at James Madison (Sept. 20) ... 1996: Played in all 11 games ... Punted 79 times for 3,028 yards (38.3 avg.) ... Broke the all-time UMass single-season marks for most yards punting (3,028) and most punts (79), eclipsing the previous marks of 2,573 yards (Timothy Fontaine, 1978) and 73 punts (Ray Larnard, 1980) ... Finished sixth in the Yankee Conference in punting (38.3 avg.) ... Averaged over 40 yards per punt in six of UMass' 11 games on the season ... Placed at least two punts within the opponent's 20-yard line in 10 of his 11 contests, including a career-high four in the win vs. Northeastern (Sept. 28) ... Had a 63-yard punt in the win over Northeastern ... Established UMass single-game records for most punts (13) and most punting yards (489) in the overtime win at Richmond (Sept. 21) ... Had a season-best average of 43.0 yards per punt on two occasions (at Holy Cross, four punts for 172 yards; vs. Buffalo, five punts for 215 yards) ... Spent the winter as a reserve guard on the basketball team which advanced to the NCAA Tournament ... Had two points and four rebounds in 10 games ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the spring semester ... 1995: Saw action in all 11 games ... Punted 67 times for 2,341 yards (34.9 avg.) ... Had a punt of 59 yards in the win over Holy Cross (Sept. 16) ... Punted 11 times for 387 yards (35.2 avg.) in the loss at Rhode Island (Sept. 30) ... Had a season-best average of 38.4 yards per punt at Buffalo (Oct. 14), punting five times for 192 yards ... Averaged over 35.0 yards per punt in eight of his 11 games ... Assumed the placekicking duties late in the season ... Converted 1-of-3 field goal attempts, a 21-yard boot in the win at Boston University (Nov. 11) ... Made 3-of-4 PATs on the year ... Spent the winter as a reserve guard on the UMass basketball team which advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history ... Had two points, five rebounds and one assist in 18 games ... Named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll for having a GPA above 3.0 in the fall semester ... High School: Punter and placekicker for Fred Ross at Stroudsburg ... Averaged 41 yards per punt during his senior year ... Connected on 111-of-115 PATs over his high school career ... Holds school records for longest field goal, most extra points, most field goals, highest punt average and longest punt ... All-State selection as a senior ... Two-time All-Mountain Valley League choice ... Also lettered in basketball and soccer ... Three-time All-Mountain Valley League pick in soccer ... Two-time All-Mountain Valley League selection in basketball who scored over 1,000 points in high school ... Personal: Full name is Andrew Larsen Maclay ... Son of Doug and Tonya Maclay ... Born September 8, 1976 in East Stroudsburg, Pa. ... Majoring in Sociology.

Corey Mitchell

Redshirt Fr. * OL * 6-4 * 265

Utica, N.Y. (Proctor)

Slated as the top backup to Mike Wynne at left guard ... Coaching staff believes he has great potential to excel during his career ... Redshirted in 1997 ... High School: Played for Guy Puleo at Proctor High School ... Saw action on both sides of the line during his high school career ... First-team All-Section III Central New York (Class 2A) choice as an offensive lineman during his senior season ... Played in the John Arcaro All-Star Memorial Senior Classic, showcasing the top senior talent in the Upstate New York region ... Also lettered in basketball (center) at Proctor ... Personal: Full name is Corey D. Mitchell ... Son of Shirley Mitchell ... Born May 15, 1979 in Utica, N.Y. ... Enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Matt Murphy

Senior * PK * 5-11 * 215

Melrose, Mass. (Worcester Academy)

The top placekicker on the team ... Broke his right (kicking) foot prior to spring drills and was forced to miss spring practice ... Is expected to be 100% by the time fall practice begins ... Will also serve as the backup to Andy Maclay at punter ... Has played in 14 career games ... 1997: Played in four games ... Began the year as the top placekicker, but lost the job after the Maine game in week two ... Regained the job before the season-finale vs. Connecticut ... Made 1-of-3 field goals on the season ... Finished 2-of-4 on extra point attempts ... Had a 30-yard field goal vs. Connecticut (Nov. 15) ... Named to the UMass Athletic Director's Honor Roll (GPA over 3.0) in the fall 1997 semester ... 1996: Played in 10 games ...Assumed the placekicking duties from Eric Oke prior to the Holy Cross game in week two ... Converted 2-of-5 field goals and 25-of-30 PATs on the season ... His 25 PATs tied for the ninth best single-season total in UMass history ... Finished second on the team with 31 points ... Hit a key extra point with three seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it into overtime in the 21-14 win at Richmond (Sept. 21) ... Started the season with a string of 13 consecutive PATs made (the most since Oke had 13 in 1993), before having one blocked in the win against Boston University (Oct. 12) ... Also made a career-long 35-yard field goal in the Boston University game ... 1995: Did not see any game action ... Before UMass: Attended prep school at Worcester Academy where he was the placekicker and punter, helping the squad to a 6-3 record ... Played for Bruce MacPherson at Melrose High School ... Converted 4-of-4 field goals and 32-of-38 PATs during his high school career ... Team captain and Middlesex League All-Star in wrestling during his senior year ... Personal: Full name is Matthew Robert Murphy ... Son of William F. and Donna Murphy ... Born November 20, 1974 in Boston, Mass. ... Majoring in Management.

Lance Overby

Sophomore * DB * 6-1 * 194

Staten Island, N.Y. (Staten Island Tech)

Will compete for time in the secondary this fall ... Makes the transition from outside linebacker to defensive back ... Very versatile player who can play a number of positions (quarterback, running back, linebacker, defensive back) ... Came to UMass as a quarterback ... Redshirted in 1996 ... 1997: Saw action in all 11 games as an outside linebacker and on special teams ... Finished the year with 13 total tackles (six solo) ... Made a season-high four tackles (two solo) vs. Richmond (Aug. 30) ... Posted three tackles (two solo) at Buffalo (Oct. 18) ... Also recorded two-tackle efforts at James Madison (Sept. 20) and vs. Hofstra (Nov. 1) ... Began the year as a running back, but switched to outside linebacker during fall practice ... High School: Four-year letterwinner at quarterback for Dennis Bellentoni at Staten Island Tech ... Completed 61 percent of his passes for 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions during his senior season ... Led his high school team to the New York City Metropolitan Championship, throwing for two touchdowns in the 18-0 title game victory over Flushing ... Named to the New York Times and New York Daily News All-Star teams ... Member of the Staten Island Advance All-Star team ... Team captain as a senior ... Personal: Full name is Lance Kilpatrick Overby ... Son of Mosezetta Overby ... Born July 7, 1978 in New York, N.Y. ... Majoring in Education.

Aaron Parker

Junior * DL * 6-3 * 268

New Brighton, Pa. (New Brighton)

Holds down the starting job at one defensive tackle position ... Great work ethic and intensity ... Has played in 20 career games ... Redshirted in 1995 ... 1997: Played in all 11 games at defensive tackle, all as a reserve ... Finished with 17 tackles (six solo), including two tackles-for-loss, one sack and one fumble recovery ... Made three tackles (one solo) with one tackle-for-loss vs. Richmond (Aug. 30) ... Had three tackles (all assisted) in the 18-14 victory over Rhode Island (Sept. 27) ... Recorded a sack in the 26-20 victory at Buffalo (Oct. 18) ... Recovered a fumble vs. Hofstra (Nov. 1) ... 1996: Saw action in nine games ... Recorded three assisted tackles on the year ... High School: Played both defensive tackle and tight end for Joe Ursida at New Brighton ... Recorded four sacks, while also averaging 17.7 yards per catch and scoring one touchdown at tight end during his senior season ... First-team All-Western Pennsylvania choice both on offense and defense as a senior ... Honorable Mention All-Western Pennsylvania pick on offense and defense during his junior season ... His high school team won the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) championship game, played in Three Rivers Stadium ... Played tight end in the Pennsylvania-Ohio All-Star game after his senior season ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Personal: Full name is Aaron Edward Parker ... Son of Ed and Kathleen Parker ... His father, Ed, played football at Marshall University ... Born November 11, 1976 in Rochester, Pa. ... Comes from the talent-rich football area in Western Pennsylvania that produced such greats as Joe Namath, Tony Dorsett and Mike Ditka ... Majoring in Exercise Science.

Jim Pizano

Senior * TB * 5-8 * 188

Exeter, Pa. (Wyoming Area Senior)

Listed as the top backup to Marcel Shipp at tailback ... Excellent run-blocker ... Will be asked to catch some balls out of the backfield in Mark Whipple's new offensive scheme ... Could also see action as a kickoff returner ... Holds the school record for the longest run from scrimmage (96-yard touchdown at Rhode Island, 1996) ... Has played in 31 career games, making two starts ... Redshirted in 1994 ... 1997: Saw action in all 11 games at tailback, starting the first two ... Rushed 64 times for 277 yards (4.3 avg.) and three touchdowns ... Third on the team in rushing yards (277) and touchdowns (three) ... Caught 11 receptions for 56 yards ... Had three kick returns for 47 yards (15.7 avg.) ... Rushed for 49 yards on nine carries and scored on a three-yard touchdown run in the 26-20 victory at Buffalo (Oct. 18) ... Tied a career-high with 10 carries for 49 yards in the 18-14 victory over Rhode Island (Sept. 27) ... Also rushed 10 times for 44 yards including a four-yard touchdown run at James Madison (Sept. 20) ... Posted 30 yards rushing and a touchdown on seven carries at Villanova ... Had a career-high three catches for 15 yards vs. Richmond (Aug. 30) ... Made a career-long 19-yard reception vs. Delaware (Oct. 25) ... 1996: Saw action in nine games on the season, all as a reserve ... Ran for 235 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries (10.2 avg.) ... His 235 yards rushing ranked fifth on the team ... Rushed for career bests of 134 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries in the loss at Rhode Island (Oct. 5) ... Had a 96-yard touchdown scamper in the Rhode Island game, the longest run in school history ... The feat eclipsed a mark that had stood for over 68 years (Fred Ellert, 95-yard run at Tufts on Nov. 27, 1928) ... Rushed for 31 yards on five carries in the 43-12 win over Boston University (Oct. 12) ... Posted 34 yards on just three carries in the loss to Maine (Nov. 2) ... Did not play in the final two games of the season (William & Mary and UConn) due to an injured left shoulder ... 1995: Played in all 11 games as a backup fullback ... Ran for 153 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries (4.9 avg.) ... His 153 yards rushing ranked fourth on the team ... Was not stopped for a loss in his 31 attempts ... Had his best game of the season at Rhode Island (Sept. 30), carrying the ball seven times for 35 yards ... Scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 14-yard run in the win over Holy Cross (Sept. 16) ... Had five carries for 26 yards in the season-opener vs. Richmond (Sept. 9) ... High School: Played for Paul Marranca at Wyoming Area ... Rushed for 3,999 yards and 63 touchdowns on 562 attempts during his high school career ... Set school records for most career rushing yards and touchdowns ... During his senior season, he ran for 1,863 yards and 27 touchdowns ... First-team All-State selection as a senior ... Named the Wyoming Valley Conference's MVP during his senior year ... Six-time Scranton Times Player of the Week ... Team captain as a senior ... Class president during his junior year ... Personal: Full name is James M. Pizano ... Son of Frank and Marion Pizano ... Born November 10, 1975 in Kingston, Pa. ... Majoring in Family & Consumer Studies.