Seniors on both sides of the ball will be missed

Coming off a disappointing 3-5 record last year, the football team was looking to reverse its fortunes in the 2003 season. Despite having their ups and downs, the Jumbos were able to do so, winning five games and finishing as one of only four teams in the NESCAC with a winning record.

After starting the season with three straight victories, Tufts dropped their next two and looked as if it was headed towards a repeat of 2002, when the team lossed its last five games. This year's team was able to bounce back from those losses, however, and followed them with impressive victories against Amherst and Colby.

"The feeling on the team after those two losses was completely different from last year," senior quad-captain Reid Palmer said. "We were able to put the past behind us. I think this team really got a good sense of how we play football at Tufts. Overall, I felt good about the season."

Tufts was led all season by the play of its seniors. The defense started six of them, including four on what turned out to be one of the best defensive lines in the league. Caleb Hudak, Palmer, Jay Hirsh, and Matt Keller all anchored that line.

Hudak was second on the team with 58 tackles, including a team-leading 14 for loss. He was tied with Hirsh for second on the team with three sacks. Palmer had two interceptions on the year, including one he returned 91 yards for a touchdown against Bates. Hirsh showed his toughness, playing through an ankle injury all year and still managed to finish second on the team with seven tackles for loss. Keller matured into one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and finished his senior season with 47 tackles, including six for loss.

Cornerback Mark Tilki and linebacker Matt DePaolis also played major roles for the Jumbos. Tilki had an outstanding season, intercepting five passes and returning two for touchdowns. Tough against both the run and the pass, Tilki saw teams running fewer plays to his side as the year wore on. He had an equally exceptional year as a return specialist, ranking among the nation's leaders in kickoff return yardage. DePaolis, who Tufts defensive coordinator John Walsh calls "a true student of the game," was fifth on the team in tackles with 45.

Defensive backs Mike Leist and Greg Hamilton, and linebacker Gaetan Kashala also saw considerable playing time as seniors on defense.

"Every senior on the defense had a role," Walsh said. "That's really special. Tilki and Hudak are irreplaceable; Matt Keller, Palmer, and Hirsh turned into phenomenal players. Those seniors were why we were so successful; they were leaders in practice and in games."

On the offensive side of the ball, several seniors had huge impacts for the Jumbos. Tim Mack was switched from wide receiver to running back half way through the year, and had a terrific season. Mack led the team in rushing with 526 yards, and he averaged over 100 yards a game after the transition. Wide receiver Matt Cerne had 19 catches for 216 yards on the year, and also returned punts on special teams.

Justin Kelley anchored the Tufts offensive line, opening big holes for Mack and the other running backs. Adam Wylie stepped into the fullback spot and was a big part of the team's success running the ball. Ed Casabian's contributions could not be quantified by numbers -- until the last game of the season when he more than doubled his career offensive production with three catches for 58 yards.

Senior kicker Marcellus Rolle had an outstanding season, setting a new NESCAC record with 10 field goals. The high point of the season for Rolle came in the Amherst game, when he hit the tying field goal as time expired, sending the game into overtime. The Jumbos pulled out that victory, turning their season around.

"I think this was definitely a very successful year, both for the team and for individuals," Rolle said. "We didn't 'pull out' any victories, we made victories. And that's what we wanted."

"All the seniors did fantastic jobs," coach Bill Samko said. "That's a great thing. This senior class will be sorely missed. They all did something to help this football team."

Tufts will return a talented team next year, but both Samko and Walsh emphasized that it's now up to the players to improve in the off season.

"Big shoes have to be filled," Samko said. "We think there's strength in our freshman and sophomore classes, but they have to do the things necessary to get better. We could be very good again, but we'll see if somebody steps up and takes on the leadership role."

Most starters return next year, including junior quarterback Jason Casey, junior running back Steve Cincotta, and several important defensive players. Casey took over the quarterback position full time after the fifth game of the season and "really matured", according to Samko. He will face competition for the job from sophomore Casey D'Annolfo, who received limited of playing time early in the year.

Casey will also have his favorite target to throw to in junior Kevin Holland, who led the team in catches (43), yards (533), and touchdown catches (three). Cincotta was the team's starting running back at the beginning of the season before he was sidelined with an ankle injury. He will be healthy and hungry next season.

On defense several players are expected to pick up the slack next year. Junior defensive lineman Chris Lawrence led the team in sacks (five) and Walsh calls him "one of the best in the league." Junior Donavan Brown was injured for much of the season, but he returned to his cornerback spot in the last two games and had three interceptions.

Sophomores Pat Magoon and Zack Dumas are also coming off of impressive seasons at safety and linebacker, respectively. Dumas especially established himself, as he led the Jumbos in tackles with 63.

Despite the team's occasional struggles, Samko and Walsh both saw the year in a positive light.

"This was one of the best, if not the best, teams we've had since I've been here," Walsh said. "I can't say enough about this team's character, effort, and leadership. Wins and losses are obviously the goal, but coaching a team like this means so much more to me than wins or losses."

Samko echoed Walsh's sentiments.

"I wish we were still playing," he said. "This is one of my favorite teams. They were really a fun group. I enjoyed coaching them."