Seasoned Elis primed for Ancient Eight glory

If its young offensive line can mature quickly, Yale should be an Ivy force come fall.

By Matthew Goldenberg

Head football coach Jack Siedlecki has a unique way of evaluating his team's performance. "The way I can judge the way things are going is to take a look at my demeanor," the 47-year-old Bulldog mentor said. "And I've been pretty even keel this spring. There hasn't been a lot of yelling and screaming out there." Halfway through the spring practice schedule, Siedlecki and his staff are quite pleased with the state of affairs in the Eli football program.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Defensive tackle Peter Sarantos, MC '00 (90) led the team in sacks last season and is expected to be one of many key contributors among the veteran corps of defenders.

The team returns with a wealth of experience on defense and at the offensive skill positions. If young offensive line prospects develop as Siedlecki hopes, Yale should be a force in the league next year. Following last season's miraculous turnaround, in which the Blue finished 6-4 (5-2 Ivy) and one game out of a league title, optimism abounds in New Haven. "We've now created expectations," Siedlecki said. "We will not be a unanimous pick for last like we have been the last few seasons. I don't think we'll be picked for first either, but we will be picked as contenders, and I think that's where we should be."

A strong group of recruits, which includes eight offensive and four defensive linemen, should help the team somewhat, though Siedlecki expects to rely almost exclusively on a seasoned corps of veterans next season. "Some of the recruits could help at certain positions and on special teams, but we can't expect many of them to come in and contribute immediately," he said. "The winning and losing is going to be done by the guys who are out there right now, the 70 guys involved in spring practice."

Indeed, the Elis' experienced players, along with several underclassmen who hope to earn their first varsity playing time, should make Yale an Ivy superpower in fall.

Offense

The one huge question mark for next year's Bulldogs is the offensive line, which will be decimated by the imminent graduation of the Class of 1999. Gone will be Chris Ryan, BR '99, and NFL prospect Marek Rubin, ES '99, who anchored a group that helped the Bulldogs lead the league in rushing offense with over 166 yards per game. The departure of center Joe Montesano, SM '99, tackle Stephen Campbell, ES '99, and tight end Brian Scharf, DC '99, also creates a major void in Yale's offense. "We lost a lot, so we have to rebuild," Siedlecki said. "We have a whole new crew that we have to get adjusted to the system. We're just in the beginning of the process, but we hope they'll be ready by Sept. 19," the date of Yale's season opener against Brown.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

Matt Bickford, JE '00, and Matt Proto, BR '01, are the only returnees with significant experience, though they should be joined by a crew of new contributors, including Andy Elwell, BK '00, and Steve Petrie, CC '01. The line was key in Yale's resurgence a season ago and will need to restock quickly in order to protect the Elis' talented skill players

Quarterback Joe Walland, TD '00, is coming off a record-breaking season in which he set eight school marks, including season records for attempts, completions, and total offense. More impressive than his statistics was his performance under pressure. Against Brown inYale's first game, he led a last-minute touchdown drive to shock the Bears, and in The Game he overcame an ankle injury to drive down the field for a critical fourth quarter score.

Another key offensive returnee for the Bulldogs is Rashad Bartholomew, SY '01, who averaged over 94 rushing yards per game last season. His 4.49 speed allows him to burst through the line and sprint around the end faster than any Yale back in recent memory. He rushed for more than 100 yards five times, including a 192-yard effort in a 37-14 victory over Columbia. "Probably the best news we received during the offseason is that Rashad has two more years of eligibility," Siedlecki said. With Bartholomew, the Eli running attack will certainly remain a dangerous weapon. The rest of the returning backfield, however, is less proven. Josh Phillips, MC '01, is the only other tailback with varsity experience, while the fullback position is up for grabs following the departure of Derek Bentley, SM '99. Konrad Sopielnikow, TD '01, and Paul Ardire, SY '02, will compete for the starting role. Eric Johnson, JE '01, may also play fullback.

The receiving corps should also be strong this fall, as three of last season's top four wideouts return. Jake Borden, JE '00, whose last-second catch in the back of the Brown endzone set the tone for Yale's turnaround season, will be back, as will Jake Fuller, BR '00, whose late 76-yard touchdown catch led the Bulldogs over Princeton. Johnson, who made a habit of breaking small gainers for first downs, should also see time at receiver. Billy Brown, CC '02, and Keith Reams, MC '02, spent last season returning kicks, but could be counted on this fall to catch passes as well.

Defense

Last season, the Eli defense struggled early on. In the first three games—a narrow win over Brown and lopsided losses to Connecticut and Colgate—the Bulldogs gave up an average of more than 500 yards per contest. But with time came improvement and, by season's end, the defense carried the team. Against Harvard, a goal-line stand and a forced fumble rescued an anemic Yale offense, allowing the Elis to escape with a 9-7 victory. The defense also helped the Elis lead the nation in turnover margin (1.7 per game).

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Coach Jack Siedlecki has been a major cause of the resurrection of Yale football as a poewr in the Ivy League.

Unlike with the offense, Yale's defensive core will not be decimated by this year's Commencement. Only three of Yale's 11 starters from a year ago are graduating. "On defense, we're very experienced," Siedlecki said. "Our defensive line and secondary are particularly strong." Indeed, the line returns three of the league's most dangerous defensive ends in Peter Sarantos, MC '00, Jeff Hockenbrock, PC '00, and Eli Kelley, PC '00. Sarantos led the team with 10 sacks last year, while Hockenbrock recorded 20 tackles and six sacks. Andy Tuzzolino, TD '00, an explosive middle guard, can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks as well.

Yale's defensive backfield, which loses only big-play safety Nate Boxrucker, BK '99, should be another strong point for the Blue in 1999. Strong safety Than Merrill, JE '01, has the physical strength to dominate opposing receivers, as does cornerback Ben Blake, PC '00. Blake's hard hit on Harvard quarterback Rich Linden '00 forced a fumble that set up Yale's winning field goal. Cornerback Todd Tomich, TC '01, also came up big in The Game, stopping Crimson back Damon Jones '00 on the goal line and preventing a touchdown. Cornerbacks Roy Adams, TC '00, who started three games last fall, and Ryan LoProto, SM '02, who captured team freshman of the year honors after last season, should also compete for key roles.

Perhaps the most important goal for Yale's defensive coaches in the offseason will be the replacement of linebacker Scott Benton, MC '99. Peter Mazza, JE '01, returns as one of the best linebackers in the league, but finding a complement may be a challenge. Mazza's mate will likely be an underclassman. Bill Thompson, JE '02, Scott Austin, TD '02, and Jeff White, DC '02, should all see time.

Special teams

Mike Murawczyk, MC '01, last year's First Team All-Ivy place-kicker, returns and there is every reason to expect the same stellar play from his next year. Last season, he set the school record for field goals made in a season with 12, as well as recording three other Yale marks. Bulldog punters will need to be much improved over last season, when the versatile Johnson had to rescue the Blue by kicking in The Game. The returners on both kickoffs and punts will also need to step up to improve Yale's chances of capturing its first Ivy crown since 1989.

Fans will have the opportunity to have a look at next year's squad at the annual Blue-White Scrimmage on Sat., Apr. 24, at 2 p.m. If you go, keep an eye on Siedlecki's face.

Photo of Joe Walland, TD '00, by Julia Tiernan.

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