While Tufts football has been known for its defensive prowess in recent years, look for a change in 2004. With nine of last season's starters returning this fall, the Jumbos seem primed to field an experienced and cohesive offensive unit this season.
Returnees and newcomers alike will all aim to improve on last year's offensive statistics, where Tufts finished in the middle of the pack. The Jumbos averaged 147 yards through the air per game in 2003 and 149 yards rushing per game, good for seventh and fifth respectively in the NESCAC. The total of 296 yards per game was good only for eighth in the conference, a standing that should markedly improve in 2004.
Leading the team's attack at quarterback this season will be senior quad-captain Jason Casey. Casey, who split time with junior Casey D'Annolfo to begin last season, completed 53.2 percent of his passes in 2003 for 1001 yards and five touchdowns. With a full season under his belt, the senior quarterback feels ready for additional success in 2004.
"Having a year's experience as a starter has made me much more comfortable with our offense," Casey said. "This familiarity allows me to think less about X's and O's on game day and, instead, just play and react."
In front of Casey will be an extremely strong veteran offensive line. Led by senior quad-captain Dave Hatch at guard, the line returns four of last season's starters, all of whom are seniors. One of the returning starters, Ben Bloom, looks ready to make the transition from guard to center to replace 2004 graduate Justin Kelley, a 2003 NESCAC First Team All-Conference selection.
At the tackles are two 2003 starters, seniors Rich Aronson and Phil Oates, and opposite Hatch at the other guard will be either senior Sam Bardo or junior Justin Craigie. All in all, look for this experienced O-line to give Casey plenty of protection this fall. The senior field general knows how important it is to be strong up front.
"Success in our offense starts by being able to control the ball," Casey said. "Having an experienced offensive line will certainly contribute to success in that area."
The Jumbos also return plenty of experience at the skill positions on offense. Senior Kevin Holland is a returning starting wide receiver from 2003, when he had 43 receptions for 533 yards. Senior tight end Chris Roy is another returning starter, and he looks to build on a solid junior campaign that included two touchdown catches. Senior wide receiver D.J. Proulx also figures to have an added presence in 2004.
At running back, Tufts returns senior Steve Cincotta who started multiple games but fell victim to injuries as the season progressed. In five games, Cincotta rushed for 376 yards and a touchdown, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. The veteran offensive line should open up plenty of holes for Cincotta this season, and junior Scott Lombardi, who saw some time as the featured back in Cincotta's absence, will likely line up at fullback to start 2004.
Along with Kelley, the team's other major loss on offense was multi-purpose threat Tim Mack. Mack lined up at both running back and receiver in 2003, accumulating 681 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on offense for the Jumbos. In spite of the loss, Tufts has plenty of offensive threats to look to in Mack's absence this season.
With enough seniors in the lineup to guide any younger players along the way, Tufts' offense has the ability to equal the strength of its defense in 2004.
"Overall, we consider ourselves a strong group with a lot of potential," Casey said. "There are a lot of seniors in key roles on offense this year, and we all look to provide leadership."
