Yankee Conference Team Capsules

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Boston University

Last year: 3-8 (2-6 YC)

Coach: Dan Allen (12-21, 4th year)

Starters returning: 19 (11 offense, 8 defense)

Offense: run-and-shoot

Defense: 4-3

Key players: senior QB Greg Moore, junior RB Zack Burwell, senior WR Jason Andrade, junior WR Carnell Henderson, junior OC Andre Maksimow, junior OLB John Schaefer, junior OLB John Hickey, soph ILB Andrew Brennan, junior DT Mike Pedone, senior LB Marc Fauci, junior SS Pablo Rodriguez

Outlook: The Terriers, who have not had a winning season since 1984, have plenty of experience. If BU can replace two offensive linemen, the run-and-shoot should click with Moore at the helm. Defensively, linebacker Andrew Brennan returns after missing ’92 with a knee injury.

Connecticut

Last year: 5-6 (4-4 YC)

Coach: Tom Jackson (56-52, 11th year)

Starters returning: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)

Offense: I

Defense: 3-4

Key players: junior TB Ed Long, soph TB Wilbur Gilliard, soph QB Zeke Rodgers, soph FB Ed Nook, junior LT Sherrard Joseph, soph RT Pat Walsh, senior PK Nick Sosik, senior OLB Paul Duckworth, senior LB Jim Reppi, senior DT Mike McCarthy, senior CB Scott Mitchell, senior SS Gary Bailey

Outlook: The Huskies are blessed with plenty of offensive firepower, led by Rodgers, Long and a beefy line. But, UConn must replace its receiver corps. The defense, solid a year ago, returns eight starters.

Delaware

Last year: 11-3 (7-1 YC)

Coach: Harold “Tubby” Raymond (223-88-2, 28th year)

Starters returning: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense)

Offense: wing-T

Defense: 4-3

Key players: junior FB Daryl Brown, senior QB Dale Fry, senior HB Lanue Johnson, senior SE Dan Cooper, senior DE Matt Morrill, senior LB Mike Bandish, junior LB Pat Mulhern, senior LB Chris Johnson, senior DE Domenic Botto, senior CB Scott Acker

Outlook: As always, the Blue Hens are among the YanCon favorites. If Fry is a steady starter at QB, Delaware has the parts in place to dominate out of the wing-T. Shoring up the defensive line and secondary will be the major challenges for the Hens, who made it to the Div. I-AA semifinals in ’92.

James Madison

Last year: 4-7

Coach: William “Rip” Scherer (13-11, 3rd year)

Starters returning: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense)

Offense: I

Defense: 4-3

Key players: senior WR David McLeod, junior FB Steve Agee, senior WR David McLeod, junior WR John Allen, senior OC Brad Morris, junior OT Kris Orendorff, senior DE Dion Foxx, junior LB Clint Dunn, junior DT Tyrone Washington, senior P Scott Frazier

Outlook: Replacing 4,000 yards of offense is the task facing the Dukes, who do have a veteran line. JMU is unproven at quarterback and tailback. The Dukes, one of three Yankee Conference newcomers, will attack more out of their new 4-3 defensive set.

Maine

Last year: 6-5 (4-4 YC)

Coach: Jack Cosgrove (0-0, 1st year)

Starters returning: 10 (3 offense, 7 defense)

Offense: Multiple I

Defense: 5-3

Key players: junior QB Emilio Colon, soph FB Ray Baur, senior WR Frizell Davis, soph TE Brian Gaine, junior WR Steve Cates, senior WR Kenny Squires, senior OT John Pourby, senior OLB Jemal Murph, senior DT Jed Wehrman, senior DE Fred Harner, soph LB Ross Fichthorn, junior FS Greg Mikell

Outlook: The Black Bears will rely on their defense to hold down the fort while the offense improves. Colon is a proven quarterback and has veteran receivers, but Maine must find a workhorse running back. Defensively, the Bears appear to be solid, with experience up front and in the secondary.

Massachusetts

Last year: (7-3, 5-3 YC)

Coach: Mike Hodges (7-3, 2nd year)

Starters returning: 17 (11 offense, 6 defense)

Offense: split-back

Defense: 5-2

Key players: soph Rene Ingoglia, soph QB Andrew McNeilly, senior FB Mike George, senior TE Steve Dembowski, junior SE Matt Read, senior OG Bill Durkin, senior OG Phil Hallard, senior OLB Mario Perry, senior LB Scott Assencoa, junior DE Brian Corcoran, senior FS Matt Rajotte

Outlook: The Minutemen, a surprise last fall, won’t be such this year. UMass returns its offensive unit intact. The Minutemen, who led the league and ranked second in the nation in defense a year ago, have to replace five starters. All-YC choice Perry spearheads the squad.

New Hampshire

Last year: 5-5-1 (3-5 YC)

Coach: Bill Bowes (136-78-5, 22nd)

Starters returning: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense)

Offense: I-pro

Defense: 50

Key players: senior WR David Gamble, junior QB Jim Stayer, senior OT Keith Novak, soph OG Jeff Curina, soph OG Steve Wagoner, junior TB Avrom Smith, junior LB Warren Ames, junior FS Jim Concannon, senior CB Bob Jordan, junior DT Ray Fleming

Outlook: The Wildcats are coming off a season that got away fr Outlook: The Wildcats are coming off a season that got away from them. Optimism remains high, although UNH is still a relatively young team. Strengths include the offensive line and quarterback, while there are a couple of holes to fill in the secondary and at linebacker.

Northeastern

Last year: 5-5-1

Coach: Barry Gallup (9-12-1, 3rd)

Starters returning: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple

Key players: junior TB Kevin Williams, senior OC Joe Pittorina, senior OT Austin Saladin, senior OG John Douzepis, senior WR Jeremy Gobeil, senior SS Mark Salisbury, junior LB David Atwood, junior FS Jason Seapker, senior DE Frank Iacaboni, senior DE Miles McLean

Outlook: The Huskies join the Yankee Conference having to replace graduated QB Ralph Barone. NU is loaded with experience, including a veteran defense, backstopped by Salisbury at safety. The Huskies were 3-2-1 against Yankee Conference teams a year ago.

Rhode Island

Last year: 1-10 (0-8 YC)

Coach: Floyd Keith (0-0, 1st year)

Starters returning: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense)

Offense: Multiple I

Defense: 4-3

Key players: junior QB Tony Squitieri, junior FB Kevin Quinn, junior WR Shundell Hicks, senior WR Art D’Ercole, senior CB Brian Merritt, senior LB Dave Slattery, senior LB Russell Hunter, junior CB Troy Rothman, senior DE Kevin Shirley

Outlook: The Rams are looking to rebound under a new head coach. Rhode Island, punchless on offense a year ago, needs Squitieri to improve his percentage and cut down on interceptions. But, with some key losses, the Rams may be in for a tough season.

Richmond

Last year: 7-4 (5-3 YC)

Coach: Jim Marshall (11-33, 5th year)

Starters returning: 18 (9 offense, 9 defense)

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple

Key players: senior QB Greg Lilly, junior TB Uly Scott, junior FB Michael Henderson, senior SE Rod Boothes, senior TE Price Williams, soph FL Rodney Bowens, senior OT Scott Wenk, junior FS Maurice Glenn, senior LB Jeff Edmiston, senior DT Matt Joyce, senior CB brian Lyle

Outlook: The Spiders boast All-Yankee Conference quarterback Greg Lilly among nine starters back. Running backs and receivers are plentiful and talented. Defensively, if a couple of linebackers can step in, Richmond is likely going to be at or near the top of the league standings.

Villanova

Last year: 9-3 (6-2 YC)

Coach: Andy Talley (57-24-1, 9th year)

Starters returning: 12 (8 offense, four defense)

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 50

Key players: senior TB Kevin Mosley, senior QB Brad Parpan, senior FL Harold Hart, senior SE Straughn Lumpkin, senior OT Bill Lacey, junior OC Jose Ramirez, senior FS Barry Alvis, junior LB Andy Cobaugh, junior CB Devian Logan, senior SS Matt Smith

Outlook: The Wildcats must replace 12 starters, including seven on defense, which ranked No. 1 in the nation against the run in I-AA last season. ‘Nova must plug some voids on the defensive line and at linebacker, in addition to the offensive line. Even so, the ‘Cats are expected to contend.

William & Mary

Last year: 9-2

Coach: Jimmye Laycock (81-64-2, 14th year)

Starters returning: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense)

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3

Key players: junior TB Derek Fitzgerald, senior QB Shawn Knight, senior OG Tom Walters, senior OT Wally Vale, senior OG Paul Horne, senior SE Corey Ludwig, senior FL Mike Tomlin, senior LB Eric Lambert, junior DE Melvin Griffin, junior LB Jason Miller, senior DT Craig Staub

Outlook: Watch out for the Tribe’s offense, which is stacked up front and laden with skill players. William & Mary’s defense was hardest hit by graduation, leaving the team with some big question marks. However, the Tribe should still make a solid transition into a new league.