Colby College ushered in the Ed Mestieri era in 2004 with an impressive 6-2 campaign that included another Colby-Bates-Bowdoin series championship.

Behind a smothering defense that was among the best Division III, the White Mules finished the season ranked sixth in New England Division III.

With a veteran nucleus returning on both sides of the ball, Colby hopes to continue its winning ways in the New England Small College Athletic Conference in its second year under coach Mestieri.

Colby opens its season Saturday with a 1 p.m. home game against perennial league power Williams at Seaverns Field.

Colby looks to build around its defense, which allowed only 8.1 points and 257 yards per game. However, it must replace four of its top six tacklers.

“We always talk about the interdependency of offense, defense and special teams but everything here begins with defense,” Mestieri said.

Key returnees include senior defensive back Josh Berman, the Mules’ top returning tackler with 49. He had three interceptions last fall.

He is joined in a seasoned secondary by senior Mike Bracco, junior Brian Liberty and senior Travis Agustin.

Colby has high hopes for its defensive line, which is led by All-NESCAC second-team tackle Mike Poplaski, a junior, along with senior tackle Conor Sullivan and senior end Steve Kiely.

The linebacker corps looks to junior Andrew Heaney to set the tone, although the Mules lost a trio of ‘backers who accounted for 198 tackles in 2004.

“We have a lot of experience up front and in the secondary, which is a real good thing,” Mestieri said. “We graduated our three linebackers but we have a real mature corps of linebackers returning.”

Colby was solid on offense last season, averaging 19.8 points and 286 yards. The Mules welcome the return of tailback Aaron Stepka, who led Division III in rushing en route to All-America honors in 2003 but did not play last season.

Tailback Chris Bashaw (75 ypg in 2004) also returns after a strong freshman campaign.

“Aaron’s more of a power-type guy but he does have good quickness, speed and balance,” Mestieri said. “Chris is more of a slasher who we utilize a little bit more as a receiver.”

The Mules feature junior quarterback Justin Smith, who passed for 1,461 yards and 10 touchdowns on 55 percent accuracy last season. Veteran receivers include senior wideout Jon Vacca (23 receptions, 260 yds., 2 TDs) and tight ends Roddy Ames (14 rec., 175 yds, TD) and Brennan Moore.

Up front, Colby’s proven commodities are first-team league and ECAC all-star Dan Oliphant, a senior tackle, along with senior center Dave Civitello and junior guard Tom Bourdeau.

“Hopefully, we’re going to be a little more productive on offense this year,” Mestieri said.

The kicking game also should be a strength with senior John Goss, who earned first-team NESCAC and ECAC honors last year while making nine of 13 field-goal attempts and punting for a 38-yard average.

“He’s really a wonderful weapon,” Mestieri said. “It’s such a luxury to have a guy that’s been so consistent for us over the years here.”

Husson golf starts strong

The Husson College golf team, perennially one of the top teams in Maine, is off to another strong start this season.

Coach Bruce MacGregor’s Eagles have won three of their first four tournaments, including Sunday’s University of Maine-Farmington Tournament.

Husson, which is 39-3 thus far, has been led by senior Ross McGee of Fairfield, junior Lance Libby of Waterville, sophomore Robbie Picard of Vassalboro and Hermon’s Adam Duplisea.