FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
September 1, 2004

UMass Dartmouth football hopes to continue its success of the last two seasons into 2004

 

(Dartmouth, MA) – The challenge facing UMass Dartmouth football coach Bill Kavanaugh heading into the 2004 season will be how to continue the program’s tremendous success over the past two seasons.

 

Entering his 15^th season at UMass Dartmouth (87-51 overall record), Kavanaugh’s Corsairs have recently enjoyed unprecedented success in the 16-year program.  UMass Dartmouth is 20-3 over the last two seasons, including an NEFC championship, undefeated regular season and NCAA Tournament berth in 2003, followed by a 9-2 mark last year and the Corsairs’ first post season victory in the ECAC Northeast Championship.

 

“It has been a great stretch for us over these last few seasons,” said Kavanaugh. “All we can do is continue to try to improve each season.  What has happened to us in these last two seasons is that I think our kids learned how to win.  Being part of a winning program has put our players and coaches in a position to know how much work goes into winning football games.”

 

UMass Dartmouth returns 12 starters from last season and heads into the 2004 campaign with several important personnel decisions ahead.  Most of the key questions are on offense after losing the program’s career leading rusher Shawn Theriault and three-year starter at quarterback John Falcone. 

 

The good news for UMass Dartmouth is that six of the starters return on defense, which has been the team’s hallmark over the last few seasons. The Corsairs’ New England Football Conference-leading defense returns NEFC Second Team linebacker senior Jason Berroa (Lynn, MA) along with returning junior linebackers Mike Bleakley (Westminster, MA) and Louis Lopes (Norwood, MA).  In the defensive backfield, returners include junior Derek Bealby (Peterborough, NH) and senior Marco Angelo (Norwood, MA). Senior defensive end Tom Akillian (Easton, MA) will anchor another strong defensive line.

 

Last season, the Corsairs led the NEFC by allowing only 224 yards per game, almost 30 yards less than the second closest team.  UMass Dartmouth was first in run defense (87.9 yards/game) and points allowed (9.5/game) and second in pass efficiency defense. 

 

“Our front seven on defense is going to be very strong and we really think that our secondary is going to be fine in time’” Kavanaugh said.  “In order to be successful, we have to continue to play an aggressive brand of defense that causes turnovers. Our experience at linebacker will be very important to playing that style of defense as will our depth.”

 

Adding the Corsairs’ depth on defense will be a handful of newcomers to the program.  Freshman John Waldron (Lynn, MA) and sophomore Sean Sullivan (Waltham, MA) will help the defensive backfield along with a former Corsair basketball player Manny Monteiro (Boston, MA).  Sophomore defensive lineman Greg Anzaldei (Stow, MA) and senior Josh Marshall (Newbury, MA), who was hurt last season, will be back, along with junior defensive tackle Adam Hood (Merrimack, MA), a transfer from UMass Lowell.

 

Although the Corsairs will have some new faces in the offensive backfield in 2004, most of the experience will be in the offensive line.  Four out of five starters from last season are back including senior Dave Richards (Medford, MA) and junior Mike Millar (Norwood, MA) at tackle, senior Mike White (Lynn, MA) at center and sophomore Rob Cunningham (Melrose, MA) at guard. Junior Dave Miranda (Swansea, MA) is coming back from an ankle injury last year and last year’s starter at center Andy Milian (Plymouth, MA) will also see some time upfront.

 

UMass Dartmouth will look to a pair of returning junior wide receivers in Victor Cruz (New Bedford, MA) and Wayne Homol (Swansea, MA).  Cruz is a tall and talented wide receiver who was one of the Corsairs’ top receivers last year and Homol is a fast receiver who Kavanaugh wants to involve in the offense as many ways as possible.

 

In the offensive backfield, sophomore Jamison Humphries (Longmeadow, MA) appears to be the likely starter at running back. He saw some action last year but this season he will be getting the bulk of the carries. Also expected to see some time iis Jon Tadeau (Fairhaven, MA), who was injured last season.

 

The key to the Corsairs’ offensive success will be the play of the new quarterback.  Kavanaugh has three players vying for the starting position with each offering a different set of skills.  Senior Val Teixeira (Dorchester, MA) has the most experience, having started three games as sophomore. Teixeira was the backup last year after sitting out a full season two years ago with an injury.   A classic drop back quarterback, Teixeira has a great arm and has proven in the past that he car run as well.

 

Also in the hunt at quarterback is junior Bryan Marinio (Revere, MA), a talented offensive player who has experience at  running back and wide receiver.  According to Kavanaugh, Marino doesn’t have the arm Teixeira has but he could be a great runner in the option.  Also in the mix is freshman Pat Franey (Burlington, MA), who combines the skills of Teixeira and Marino.  Kavanaugh said Franey could be the quarterback of the future and someone who gives the Corsiars the luxury of depth at the quarterback spot.

 

“Our depth at some other positions on offense concerns me,” Kavanaugh said.  “We need to keep some people healthy if we want to be as explosive as I think we can be on offense.  We are going to be a big play offense from the shotgun. Depending on the quarterback, there will be plenty of ways for us to come up with the big play.”

 

Kavanaugh said there were some newcomers on offense who he thinks will see some playing time this season.  Sophomore Ken Malloy (Rockland, MA), a transfer from Springfield College, will start at tight end, while first-year split ends Corey Williams (Billerica, MA) and Jon Martel  (Somerset, MA) have impressed the coaching staff during preseason.

 

UMass Dartmouth will have some important experience in special teams this season. Bealby will return to handle both the place kicking and punting duties this season after a steady effort last year.

 

The Corsairs open the 2004 season on Sept. 5 with a non-conference game against Division II Merrimack College before hosting Plymouth State University in the home opener at Cressy Field on Sept. 11.  The Corsairs open NEFC Boyd Division action on Sept. 25 when UMass Dartmouth hosts defending champion Curry College at Cressy Field.