By Jeff Powalisz

Led by I-AA All-America second-team member Liam Ezekial, the nation’s 12th-leading rusher, the Northeastern football team finished their 2003 season at 8-4 overall (6-3 Atlantic 10).

For its efforts, the team has been named “Best Sports Team on Campus” by The News’ readers.

The team began the year with a huge 78-6 victory over Stonehill, led by freshman back Shawnn Gyles, who scored four touchdowns and gained 172 yards on just five carries. The Huskies then stormed ahead to 4-0, after a 51-0 thrashing of Albany, and a 42-39 win over Rhode Island and 48-14 over William ‘ Mary. Villanova was a challenge for the team in the fifth week as they lost 28-7, starting a losing streak of three.

They then lost 28-20 to Harvard on the road and then 24-14 to Hofstra. The Huskies made up for the losses with a 20-14 win over Maine behind 154 yards and a touchdown from senior back Tim Gale, but the disappointment continued with a 28-24 loss at UMass.

The team made sure they ended the season on a high note by beating undefeated Delaware 24-14 behind sophomore wide out Cory Parks’ two touchdowns. It was just the second win in 11 meetings for Northeast-ern against the Blue Hens.

Northeastern easily handled their last two games, blanking Rich-mond 45-0, and taking care of James Madison, 41-24.

The Huskies finished the year ranked 19th in the 2003 Final Gridiron Power Index for Division I-AA with 25.37 points, fourth in Atlantic 10.