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This is the 16th meeting between Rowan University and Buffalo State College. The Profs lead the series, 14-1 and have a seven game win streak. Last year, Rowan defeated Buffalo State, 57-7 at home.

Last season, Rowan had a 57-7 victory over Buffalo State. Running back Ryan Leafey led the Profs with 62 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Quarterback Frank Wilczynski added 58 yards and one TD on seven rushes. He also threw for 119 yards and one touchdown with nine completions in 16 attempts. Running back Jon Downes compiled 53 yards and two TDs on 10 attempts. Quarterback Tim Hagerty and running back Tariq Gaines added one rushing touchdown apiece.

Last Saturday, Buffalo State lost to Kean University, 33-29 in its Homecoming game. Running back Gibran Johnson totaled 89 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Running back Greg Spears scored two rushing TDs. Quarterback Ryan Lehotsky threw for 106 yards and one touchdown with five completions in 12 attempts. Wide receiver Rob Smith hauled in four balls for 106 yards and one TD. Weak side Brandon Hodgins and linebacker Matthew Krumm both recorded eight tackles and one tackle for a loss. Cornerback Joe Schriever and defensive end Don Myers both forced a fumble, while cornerbacks Jaleel Harris and Josh Mims each recovered one. Mims also had one interception.

The Bengals are second in the NJAC in pass efficiency (138.3). Buffalo State ranks third in pass offense (208.7). The Bengals are fifth in scoring offense (20.7) and kickoff returns (18.3).

Rowan is first in the NJAC in field goal percentage (75.0). The Profs are second in sacks (8) and fourth in scoring defense (16.7), rushing offense (184.0), rushing defense (108.7), pass efficiency defense (98.9) and kickoff returns (19.9). Rowan ranks fifth in total offense (294.7), total defense (263.0), pass defense (154.3), punt returns (5.9) and punting (30.3).

The Bengals are not a bad club having opened up at 0-3 losing to three good teams.  The Profs need to continue improving on offense with Hagerty back at the helm.  He was able to move the team better than the rookie Kenny Brock.  Rowan needs move the ball and win the field position battle to win in Buffalo.

Backup quarterback Tim Hagerty came off the bench to account for 205 yards in Rowan University’s 12-7 win over William Paterson University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Saturday.

Both teams are 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Hagerty  entered the game with 2:07 remaining in the first quarter. He completed eight of 18 passes for 109 yards. Hagerty rushed for a team-high 96 yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Running back Steve Hevalow rushed for 59 yards on 22 attempts. Wide receiver Marcus Lee made three catches for 87 yards. Kicker Antonio Regalbuto  made two of three field goals.

The Profs’ defense was led by cornerback Husain Shakir with eight tackles  and one pass breakup. Linebacker Steve Hague followed with seven stops. Defensive end Matt Hoffman osted 1.5 sacks, while defensive tackle Steve Williams and defensive end Kyle Kane  each had one for -3 and -6 yards respectively. Cornerback Brandon Jones and safety Eric Sharkey added one interception apiece.

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Rowan has lost the last four games to Montclair from 2006-09.  It is the longest losing streak since a seven game losing streak to the Red Hawks from 1984-90.  It is also rare for Montclair to be ranked while the Profs are unranked. Rowan travels to Montclair this Saturday for the first NJAC contest of the season.

Last Saturday, Montclair State blanked Westfield State College (MA), 34-0 in its season opener. Running back Chris D’Andrea led the offense with 174 rushing yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also had two receptions for 47 yards and a TD. Running back Matt Jimenez added 57 yards on 18 touches, while running back A.J. Scoppa ran for 41 yards and a touchdown on three attempts. Quarterback Tom Fischer completed 12 of 26 passes for 202 yards and a TD. Wide receiver Dan Keegan hauled in three balls for 70 yards and wideout Byron Lewin had three catches for 44 yards. The Red Hawks held Westfield State to 103 yards of total offense (57 rushing and 46 passing). Linebacker Ed Kirschenbaum recorded a team-high nine tackles (three solo, six assisted). Linebacker Dan Avento and cornerback Kevin Cloghessy both had five stops (three solo, two assisted). Avento had one tackle for a loss (-4 yards) and Cloghessy intercepted a pass. Defensive tackle Bobby Skinner produced four tackles (two solo, two assisted), two tackles for a loss (-6 yards) and one sack (-5 yards). Safety Matt Mancino added one interception. After a scoreless first period, Montclair State went ahead 3-0 after a 23 yard field goal by kicker Jake Delvento at 9:43 in the second. Delvento nailed a 49 yard field goal as time expired to give the Red Hawks a 6-0 halftime advantage. With 31 seconds left in the third quarter, D’Andrea caught a 45 yard touchdown pass from Fischer to make the score, 13-0. Keegan had a 75 yard punt return for a TD to end the third. At 8:32 in the fourth stanza, D’Andrea scored on a 42 yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 27-0. Scoppa tacked on a two yard TD carry at 4:25 to end the scoring.

The Profs are second in the NJAC in rushing defense (113.0) and kick returns (22.5). Rowan ranks third in total defense (258.0) and fourth in rushing offense (158.0), pass defense (145.0) and pass defense efficiency (88.6).

The Red Hawks are the conference leaders in scoring offense (34.0), scoring defense (0.0), total offense (472.0), total defense (103.0), rushing offense (251.0), rushing defense (57.0) and sacks (3.0). Montclair State is second in pass offense (221.0), pass defense (46.0), pass defense efficiency (27.9), punt returns (24.8), interceptions (two) and punting (35.8).

Some of these stats are little misleading.  Westfield can be considered a cupcake for last year’s NCAA’s semi-finalist, Montclair State.

The real key to the game on Saturday may come down to experience. The Red Hawks had the benefit of almost half-a-season of game week practice due to playoff participation last year.  This is often a big advantage given the normal restrictions imposed on DIII football team preparation.

If Rowan can overcome the experience disadvantage, and eliminate some the mistakes they made two weeks ago, I think the Profs more than measure up talent wise.   The Profs need to do a better job of extending the field vertically and complete more passes down field, while rushing like they did against Lycoming, in order to win.

See you on Saturday.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KEITH CORCORAN • Rowan University
Sophomore • Running Back • Atlantic City, NJ/St. Joseph’s

Corcoran earns the first NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection after helping to propel the Profs to a season-opening 24-17 victory over Lycoming. In the first start of his collegiate career, he averaged 7.3 yards per attempt with 21 carries for a career-high 153 yards on the ground. His touchdown run was a 73-yard effort midway through the third quarter which extended Rowan’s lead to 24-0. Corcoran currently leads the NJAC in rushing with an average of 153 yards per game.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ANTONIO REGALBUTO • Rowan University
Sophomore • Kicker • Clayton, NJ/St. Joseph’s

Regalbuto earns the first NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week selection after contributing to the Profs’ season-opening 24-17 victory over Lycoming. In his first contest at Rowan, he connected on a 35-yard field goal in his only attempt of the day. He also was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra point attempts, finishing the game with six points scored. Regalbuto currently leads the NJAC in both extra points made (3) and extra point percentage (100.0).

Rowan wins 24-17. It was a tale of two halves. Rowan started rookie quarterback Kenny Brock.  Brock a freshman, from Burlington, New Jersey spent last year at Bridgton Academy prep school in Maine. Bridgton plays against Ivy league and DIII JV programs.

There were some dropped balls and some misfires as it was the first time Brock and his wide receivers played a real game.  Some rhythm was found as the Profs were able to move the ball and go up 17-0 in the first half.  Except for the misfires, it was pretty much a mistake free first half.

The second half began with a 73 yard touchdown run by running back Keith Corcoran putting Rowan up 24-0.   Lycoming got on the board when Brock threw a 25 yard interception to safety Chuck Bellitto.  Bellitto returned the interception for a touchdown.  The Warriors scored the next ten unanswered points.  Rowan penalties and two more turnovers contributed to Lycoming drives and field position.

The Profs (ranked 36th) have a bye next week.  In two weeks, they go on the road to No. 25 ranked Montclair.  Montclair made it all the way to the NCAA semi-finals in 2009.  Rowan has time to correct some of the miscues and  forced errors before facing the Red Hawks.

Corcoran carried the ball 21 times for a 7.3 average. Quarterback Kenny Brock  competed 15 of 34 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown in his collegiate debut. He also had a one yard touchdown run. Wide receivers Justin Long  and Khalil Wallace  tallied 46 and 45 receiving yards respectively. Wideout Marcus Lee had three grabs for 15 yards and one touchdown.

The Profs’ defense was led by linebacker Jerome Gordon  with 12 tackles (3-9). Linebacker Steve Hague registered nine stops (5-4) and two tackles for a loss (-3 yards). Defensive end Justin McCulley  had a sack (-13 yards) and a forced fumble. Safety Bobby Carroll also forced a fumble.

By CELESTE E. WHITTAKER • Courier-Post Staff • September 4, 2010

GLASSBORO — Rowan senior defensive lineman Matt Hoffman wants to end his collegiate football career with a bang.

“Since I’ve been here, we haven’t made the playoffs,” said Hoffman, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound Burlington Township graduate. “This is finally the year, I think, we can break through. My first year, we went 4-6. . . . We were 8-2 in 2008 and 7-3 last year.”

Rowan, which kicks off its season at 1 today against Lycoming, last reached the Division III playoffs in 2006 — a long absence for such a traditionally strong program. The Profs have made five appearances in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

Granted, the New Jersey Athletic Conference has gotten stronger, with defending league champion Montclair State, SUNY-Cortland and Kean, among others, upping the competition. Rowan, however, is poised to make some noise this year.

The Profs will likely have to win the conference to reach the playoffs, at least that has been the pattern. The conference champion receives an automatic berth, but no other team is guaranteed a spot.

Rowan was picked to finish fourth in the conference by the coaches,while SUNY-Cortland, Montclair and Kean, respectively, earned billing as the top three.

“Those teams have definitely come on really strong, so we have more of a challenge,” said Hoffman, who led the team with 6 1/2 sacks last season to go with 42 total tackles (12 for loss). “We have a strong group of seniors, strong group on defense and offense. We’re bringing back a few guys that got injured last year. This camp, we’ve been looking very good at all positions and we’re real excited to start this season.”

Said Rowan senior quarterback Tim Hagerty, a Glassboro High School graduate: “I think there’s definitely a big chip on a lot of our shoulders. We haven’t won the conference in the past three years. That’s not the Rowan way. We’re used to being on top of the conference. Everybody’s ready to compete. We have to prove ourselves. Nothing’s going to be handed to us. This conference is stronger than it’s ever been.”

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Check out WOL News’ youtube channel for eight pre-season interviews of Lycoming football players and their coach Mike Clark.

GLASSBORO There was a time not too long ago when failure to reach the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl constituted a poor season for the Rowan University football team.

So despite 15 wins over the last two years, the Profs’ coaches and players are noticeably antsy about a three-year drought of failing to even qualify for the postseason.

“The seniors said in the beginning of the year we feel partly responsible because ever since we’ve been here, we haven’t made the playoffs,” said quarterback Tim Hagerty.

Coach Jay Accorsi, entering his ninth season as head coach and 18th overall at Rowan, admitted the staff took a long look at every aspect of the program after last season’s 7-3 record.

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Last year, Rowan topped Lycoming, 29-7 in Williamsport, PA. Profs’ quar­terback Frank Wilczynski completed eight of 17 passes for 79 yards and one touchdown. He also carried the ball 10 times for 86 yards and one TD. Superback Ryan Leafey rushed for 68 yards on 18 touches. Wideout James Kinloch recorded a 39 yard touchdown catch. Kicker Mark Getsinger con­nected on three of three field goal attempts and two of three PAT tries. Rowan limited Lycoming to 104 yards of total offense (70 passing and 34 rushing). Linebacker Kevin Taylor led the way with seven tackles. Defensive end Matt Hoffman posted five tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss (-16 yards) and 1.5 sacks (-13 yards). Linebacker Steve Hague had one sack (-12 yards) and one interception, which he returned for a TD. Safety Mike Barone also inter­cepted a pass, while linebacker Jerome Gordon had one sack (-10 yards).

Lycoming has six returning starters on offense. The Warriors will have a new face at quarterback. Competing for the job are Tim Hook and Zach Klinger. Josh Kleinfelter will once again be the starting running back. Last sea­son, he ran for a team-high 821 yards and five touchdowns on 186 carries. Kleinfelter also caught 19 passes for 168 yards. Nick Milardo is the Warriors’ fullback. The wide receivers include Ryan Wagaman, Josh Dixon, Mark Ryan, Jarrin Campman and Sean Saylor. Wagaman led the team with 51 receptions for 671 yards and five TDs. Dixon followed with 31 catches for 269 yards and four touchdowns. Saylor made 15 grabs for 146 yards and one TD. Tight end Adam Paulhamaus totaled 184 yards and three touchdowns on 11 catches. Kleinfelter, Wagaman and Paulhamaus all earned Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) All-Conference second team honors. Four of the five starting offense linemen are back for Lycoming. The group includes center Glen Hughes, tackles Tim Okken and Andrew Wagner and guard Cody Moyer. Matt Land­siedal is the other guard and he saw action in four contests last year. The offense averaged 20.1 points, 94.3 rushing yards and 173.2 passing yards per game.

All-Conference first team defensive lineman Anthony Marascio leads the defensive unit that brings back five starters. A tackle, Marascio totaled 76 tackles (38 solo, 38 assisted), 14.5 tackles for a loss (-52 yards), five sacks (-36 yards), two forced fumbles and one interception. The remainder of the line is new with ends Tyler Geis and Dillan Rudloff and tackle Roger Jayne. The linebacker corp consists of Corey Schuster, Jamie Reitzi and Chris Kish. Kish tallied 30 tackles (18 solo, 12 assisted), three tackles for a loss (-9 yards), 1.5 sacks (-7 yards) and one pass breakup. Schuster appeared in five games making two solo stops. Cornerbacks Matt Talerico and Jim Daley are the starters for the second straight year. Daley was fourth on the squad with 48 tackles (34 solo, 14 assisted), one tackle for a loss (-3 yards), four intercep­tions and five pass breakups. Talerico added 39 stops (31 solo, eight as­sisted), one tackle for a loss (-2 yards), three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. All-Conference second team safety Chuck Bellitto is also back. He was first on the team with 84 tackles (55 solo, 29 assisted), three tack­les for a loss (-6 yards), four interceptions, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Veteran Ray Bierbach will occupy the other safety spot. He registered 37 tackles (22 solo, 15 assisted), four interceptions, two pass break ups, one force fumble and one fumble recovery. The War­riors’ defense gave up 120.6 rushing yards and 205.8 passing yards per game.

Rowan must put pressure on the rookie quarterbacks by forcing passing situations.  Last year, the Profs limited Lycoming to 104 yards of total offense.  Rowan graduated most of their starting defensive backfield, so the newcomers and part-timers from last year must pick up the slack.  I expect the defensive line and linebackers to be tough against the run on Saturday.

Offensively, this will be a first indication of how Rowan will move the football.  Consistency and variety will be the keys to success.  Last year, the Profs were a little too reliant on Wilczynski’s legs.  When the good teams shut down his running lanes, and forced him to throw, the outcomes weren’t good.

It will be interesting to see the Profs in an unfamiliar roll as a NJAC underdog.  Usually, Rowan is the team with the target on their backs, playing the roll as the favorite or one of the favorites.  I actually think the Profs can embrace this roll, and if they can find the playmakers in their roster, could be fighting for the conference title near the end of the season.

Preview from RowanAthletics.com:

The Rowan University football team has its sights set on reaching the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament in 2010. The Profs look to improve on a 7-3 overall record and a 6-3 mark in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). In the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Rowan is picked to finish fourth.

“As always, our expectations are to win the conference and march into the playoffs,” said head coach Jay Accorsi. “We have gotten better at wide receiver. We are faster with more depth and big play ability.”

Rowan opens the season at home on Saturday, September 4 in a 1 p.m. game against non-conference opponent Lycoming College. Last season, the Warrior had a 4-6 record. The Profs travel to defending conference champion Montclair State University on Saturday, September 18 for their NJAC opener. The Red Hawks went 10-2 overall and 9-0 in the conference. Montclair State was chosen second in the NJAC Preseason Poll, receiving three first place votes. Rowan hosts William Paterson University on Saturday, September 25. The Pioneers finished the season with a 5-5 overall record and a 4-5 NJAC mark.

“Montclair State is the defending NJAC Champion,” remarked Accorsi. “They have an experienced quarterback and a lot of players back. It will be a critical game since it is our first conference and road game of the season. William Paterson was in almost every game last year. They keep getting better and better.”

The Profs are at Buffalo State College on Saturday, October 2. The Bengals were 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the conference. Rowan has back-to-back home games against Kean University and SUNY Cortland on Saturday, October 9 and Saturday, October 16 respectively. Kean was second in the NJAC with a 9-2 overall record and an 8-1 conference mark, while Cortland was 7-4 overall and 7-2 in the NJAC. In the preseason poll, Cortland was selected first with four first place votes and Kean came in third with two first place votes. William Paterson was fifth and selected the dark horse, while Buffalo State was picked 10th.

“Cortland has been very successful since joining the NJAC in 2007,” said Accorsi. “They have some veterans back and their quarterback returns after suffering a season ending injury last year. They are a much different team with him behind center. Kean always has a good defense. Their question surrounds the running back position. They have an experienced quarterback and will compete for the NJAC title.”

On Saturday, October 23, Rowan is at The College at Brockport. The Golden Eagles had a 4-6 overall record and a 3-6 NJAC mark. The Profs return home for Homecoming against Morrisville State College on Saturday, October 30. The Mustangs compiled a 1-9 overall record and they were 1-8 in the conference. Brockport was sixth in the preseason poll, while Morrisville State ranked ninth.

Rowan’s final home game is on Saturday, November 6 against Western Connecticut State University. The Colonials went 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the NJAC. The Profs finish the regular season at rival The College of New Jersey on Saturday, November 13. The Lions had a 4-6 overall record and 3-6 NJAC mark. In the preseason poll, TCNJ was picked seventh, while Western Connecticut State was eighth.

“All the teams in the conference are tough,” explained Accorsi. “Every year the bottom teams continue to get better.”

Offense – One of Rowan’s biggest voids to fill is the quarterback position. The Profs are seeking a replacement for All-Conference first teamer Frank Wilczynski. In 2009, he led the team in passing with 1,456 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 117 of 207 pass attempts. Wilczynski was also first on the squad in rushing with 793 yards and 15 touchdowns on 91 carries and scoring with 90 points. He averaged 249.9 yards of total offense per game.

“One of our keys to having a successful season is the performance of whoever takes over as the quarterback,” stated Accorsi. “Right now it looks like it will be Tim Hagerty, but it could be two guys. We have experience on the offensive line, at tight end, superback and wide receiver to help them out.”

A team captain, Hagerty appeared in eight contests last season. He completed 19 of 38 passes for 196 yards. Hagerty also ran for 80 yards and three touchdowns on 27 rushes. As a freshman in 2007, he started six games, throwing for 685 yards and nine touchdowns with 54 completions in 113 attempts. Hagerty totaled 179 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 100 attempts.

“When Hagerty was beat out by Wilczynski last season, he really impressed people with how he handled it,” praised Accorsi. “He worked harder and helped Frank. Hagerty has been a class act since day one, which is a reflection of his high school coach Herb Neilio, a former Rowan/Glassboro State player. Hagerty is the hard working leader of our offense.”

Also in the mix for the starting job are veterans Andrew Daley and Frank Giardina and rookie Kenny Brock.

“All of our quarterbacks have different skill sets,” complimented Accorsi. “We are not opposed to using more than one quarterback throughout the season. We may even use more than one quarterback on one play.”

The Profs will see some new faces in the backfield this year. With the departure of All-Conference second team honoree Ryan Leafey and Jon Downes, Rowan will rely on its less experienced youth to fill in. Leafey carried the ball 123 times for 676 yards and eight touchdowns. Downes added 355 yards and four touchdowns on 87 attempts.

“We will probably use a few more players this year,” commented Accorsi. “There could be three to four guys sharing the duties. We were fortunate last season to have two good backs in Ryan Leafey and Jon Downes. Our younger players did not get to see the field too much, but they will this year.”

The potential replacements include returnees Keith Corcoran, Juelz Morgan and Steve Hevalow and newcomers Mychael Scott, Jahseer Bronson and Marcus Rawls. Last season, Corcoran ran for 39 yards on 10 carries, while Morgan had 11 yards on three touches. Hevalow is back after a year off. In 2008, he was third on the team with 253 yards and three touchdowns on 77 rushes. Scott was an All-Group II selection at Sterling High School. Bronson was chosen to the All-Parochial team at Camden Catholic High School, while Rawls was named to the All-Conference first team and All-County second team at Florence Township Memorial High School.

The Profs have some experience at the wide receiver position. Veterans Kay Robinson, Marcus Lee, José Gonzalez, Anthony Barone, James Kinloch, Dan Lisa, Mark Lisa and Dan Reed will see competition from newcomers Justin Long and Khalil Wallace.

“We are deeper with more experience this season,” remarked Accorsi. “We will be more of a vertical threat. Lee and Long bring a lot of speed to the offense.”

In 2009, Barone registered 276 yards and one touchdown on 19 receptions. Robinson made 16 grabs for 174, while Kinloch posted 247 yards and two touchdowns on 13 catches. Dan Lisa hauled in eight passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. Reed had eight receptions for 70 yards and Mark Lisa totaled 71 yards on seven grabs.

Gonzalez added three catches for 25 yards. Lee did not play last season, but he led the team in 2008. In only seven games, he amassed 290 yards and five touchdowns (20 receptions). Long transferred from the University of Delaware. In 2003, he caught 50 passes for 579 yards and five touchdowns. At Millville High School, Wallace garnered All-Conference first team honors.

NJAC All-Conference honorable mention Kevin DelleDonne will once again start at tight end. His backups include veterans Chris Garcia, Michael Wojceichowski and Luke McCarthy. Rookie Mark Tucker will also compete for playing time. DelleDonne led the Profs with 20 receptions for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Garcia caught four passes for 62 yards. Tucker earned All-Conference and All-County honors at Wayne Valley High School.

“DelleDonne is probably more important than most people think,” commented Accorsi. “He is getting better at blocking and provides us with a great threat in the passing game. He stretches the linebackers and safeties. DelleDonne has gotten stronger, faster and has better hands. We hope he picks up where he left off last year. Garcia, Wojceichowski, McCarthy and Tucker all provide much needed depth.”

A core group of players return on the offensive line. Starters Rob Barrett, David Green and All-Conference second team selection Tommy Menendez are all back. Barrett moves from guard to right tackle this year, while Green goes from right tackle to left tackle. A team captain, Menendez will remain at center. Joining them at the guard positions are veterans Frank Lisante and Joshua Olivero. Rotating in will be returnees Brian Cary, Jean Collado, Tyler Duda and Mike Wentz and rookie Rocco Mazzagatti.

“The offensive line is experienced, which should help our new quarterback and superbacks,” said Accorsi. “Menendez is a silent leader that does a great job organizing the linemen. He has the respect of the players. When he does speak up, they listen.”

Defense – The Profs’ entire defensive line remains intact. The defensive ends are All-Conference second teamer Matt Hoffman, Kyle Kane, Justin McCulley and Chris Popper. A captain, Hoffman led the team with 6.5 sacks (-37 yards) and was second with 12 tackles for a loss (-49 yards). He finished fourth on the squad with 42 tackles (20 solo, 22 assisted). Kane only saw action in two games before suffering a season ending injury. He had seven stops (five solo, two assisted) and two sacks (-25 yards). He was a 2008 NJAC All-Conference second team selection. McCulley took Kane’s place and registered 28 tackles (17 solo, 11 assisted), seven tackles for a loss (-19 yards) and 1.5 sacks (-7 yards). In four contests, Popper compiled five tackles (three solo, two assisted).

“Hoffman, Kane and McCulley bring a lot of experience to a critical defensive position,” remarked Accorsi. “Hoffman and Kane will be two of the better ends in the conference, if not in the country. They perform at a high level. Hoffman is emerging as the silent leader on defense.”

The defensive tackles will include Steve Williams, Matt Sees, Frank Olexson and Zak Taylor. In 2009, Olexson posted 17 tackles (seven solo, 10 assisted), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Williams followed with 16 stops (seven solo, nine assisted), two tackles for a loss (-4 yards), two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Sees totaled 15 tackles (five solo, 10 assisted), while Taylor had five stops (one solo, four assisted), one sack (-4 yards) and one pass breakup.

The linebackers are without All-Conference first team selection and four-year starter Andrew Yezzi. He led the team with 78 tackles (32 solo, 46 assisted) and 18 tackles for a loss (-78 yards). He also recorded 5.5 sacks (-47 yards), four pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. However, the Profs’ second leading tackler Jerome Gordon is back. He tallied 48 stops (25 solo, 23 assisted), 6.5 tackles for a loss (-28 yards), one sack (-10 yards), three forced fumbles and one interception en route to earning NJAC All-Conference honorable mention.

Joining Gordon are veterans Steve Hague, Dan Hearn and Patrick Ruley. Transfers Dean Hammel and Geno Raman will also see playing time.

“We don’t have a star at linebacker like Andrew Yezzi, but we have several good players to platoon,” commented Accorsi. “Hague should be a starter. He had a great game against Lycoming last year. He made the most of his opportunities on the field. Gordon will provide strength up the middle. Hammel will move between linebacker and safety.”

Hague appeared in all 10 games, registering 29 tackles (15 solo, 14 assisted), 4.5 tackles for a loss (-19 yards), 1.5 sacks (-14 yards), five pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Hearn played mostly on special teams but collected 11 tackles (four solo, seven assisted) and 1.5 sacks (-7 yards). Ruley compiled 16 stops (eight solo, eight assisted), 2.5 tackles for a loss (-6 yards) and one fumble recovery. Hammel posted 34 tackles (17 solo, 17 assisted), four pass breakups and one interception at Wesley College. In 2008 at Iona College, Raman tallied 61 stops (31 solo, 30 assisted), 2.5 tackles for a loss (-11 yards), two sacks (-10 yards), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

The secondary will look a lot different this season. Rowan graduated starting cornerbacks Cody High and Malcolm Dock and All-Conference safeties Mike Barone and Steve Wall. Among the players competing at cornerback are veterans Brandon Jones, Frank Rubino and Husain Shakir and newcomers Mark Kinney, Shamar Mason and Josh Langford.

“We are deeper at cornerback this season, which will allow us to take more chances defensively,” stated Accorsi. “Kinney should be an instant impact. He has shown really good things in camp. Mason is a talented freshman.”

In eight games, Jones recorded 14 tackles (11 solo, three assisted) and one tackle for a loss (-3 yards). Rubino had six tackles (five solo, one assisted), one pass breakup and one interception that he returned 83 yards for a touchdown. Shakir played in all 10 games making 26 tackles (17 solo, nine assisted) with two pass breakups and two picks. Kinney transferred from Antelope Valley College (CA) where he compiled 16 tackles (nine solo, seven assisted), one pass breakup and one fumble recovery in eight contests. Mason received All-Conference first team and All-County second team honors at Plainfield High School. Langford was an All-Conference second team selection at Cherry Hill East High School.

Rocky Aliberti  will once again start at strong safety. Veteran Eric Sharkey is the starter at free safety. Veterans Jack Buckley, Bobby Carroll and Casey Dillon will be in the rotation.

“Aliberti is a leader and an experienced starter,” praised Accorsi. “Sharkey and Buckley got a lot of playing time last year.”

Aliberti posted 26 tackles (14 solo, 12 assisted), 1.5 tackles for a loss (-3 yards), four pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. Sharkey had 19 stops (eight solo, 11 assisted) and one fumble recovery. Buckley compiled 29 tackles (19 solo, 10 assisted) and one pass breakup. Carroll made four tackles (three solo, one assisted), while Dillon had two (one solo, one assisted).

Special Teams – The Profs have to replace kicker Mark Getsinger and punter Andrew Smith. Getsinger was second on the team with 71 points, converting eight of 12 field goals and 47 of 52 PAT attempts. Smith totaled 2,216 yards on 56 punts for a 39.6 average.

The kicking competition is between Antonio Regalbuto and Ryan Stant. Regalbuto transferred from Wesley College where he was five for five on PAT attempts in 2008. Stant earned All-Conference and All-Group honors at Cumberland Regional High School.

“I am not sure who the starting kicker will be yet,” claimed Accorsi. “Regalbuto has more experience, which gives him the slight edge. They both have the ability to do PATs, field goals and kickoffs. We are still undecided about who will be the punter as well.”

Tommy Wilczynski, Tyler Brown, Aliberti and Gordon are all possibilities at punter. Wilczynski was an All-Conference, All-Group, All-South Jersey and All-State selection in soccer at Overbrook High School. In 2008, Aliberti had four punts for 135 yards and a 33.8 average.

It is unclear who will handle the punt and kick return duties. A number of players including Myles Drummond, Buckley, Sharkey, Carroll, Rawls, Bronson, Lee and Long are all under consideration.

“We will try out a mix of players early on,” remarked Accorsi. “A lot of different players will get a chance to prove themselves.”