Football coach Rocky Hager did not beat around the bush at last month’s Media Day. Instead, the coach repeatedly stated his mission for this year: “Our goal is to have a winning season.” Last year in Hager’s first year at the helm, the team had more losses than wins [5-6] and as Hager said, “It did not sit well in this spot.”
From the exterior, the goal seems plausible and gives reason for optimism. This year’s squad has the fortune of having a talented, senior-powered offensive line led by veterans Ryan Gibbons, Mike Roseborough and Keith Ford. In addition, it will be the final season for wide receiver Cory Parks. The Miami native will be playing his last year at Parsons Field, bringing in career numbers in catches (156), receiving yards (2,510) and touchdowns (28) that all rank second in Husky history.
But while there is plenty of optimism about Huntington Avenue’s gridiron group, a closer inspection reveals some weakness which could make the goal of a winning season seem a bit more distant. First of all, the team lost a number of key contributors. All-time leading tackler Liam Ezekiel has completed his four-year run of intense play and spent the entire summer in the Buffalo Bills’ training camp. Also gone is Shawn Brady, who was never spectacular but still a steady, reliable quarterback for the Huskies, throwing the most touchdowns ever at Northeastern (54), while falling behind Jim Murphy in most statistical categories.
Gavin Potter, a second-team All Atlantic 10 selection at free safety, takes his intelligence and his speed with him from that position. And despite the abilities of this year’s offensive line, they will still be missing Adam Bourget, who started all 47 games of his career. Juniors Jay Frank and Lamar Gay will need to help fill the gap of the team’s losses at linebacker and safety, respectively. Parks will also require help now that Quintin Mitchell has departed, and that assistance may come from wide receiver Pat Graham and Maine transfer Kendrick Ballantyne at tight end.
Finally, a pair of redshirt freshmen are the options for quarterback. Anthony Orio impressed just about everyone at spring practice and seems to have a poised, mature mindset. Mansfield’s John Sperrazza seemed just about as prepared and at ease at Media Day. Both look ready, but over the course of an 11-game season without a single I-AA snap between either of them, there are plenty of questions to be answered. That 11-game schedule, which began with a tough 41-38 overtime loss to Georgia Southern, features teams that hold 11 of the last 20 I-AA National Champions.
The News breaks down each position for the 2005 squad:
Quarterback: Hager and offensive coordinator Eddie Davis have the challenging process of replacing a four-year starter at football’s most important position. Brady, a third-team All Atlantic 10 selection in his final year, fell behind William ‘ Mary’s Lang Campbell and New Hampshire’s Ricky Santos as the top caller in the conference. “Anthony Orio is a young man that has started since he was a sophomore in high school,” Hager said. “He was a 215-pound wrestling champion in New Jersey. He has confidence and he’s poised. John was part of a championship Mansfield team. We’ll do what we can to make sure they are ready.” Grade: TBD
Running backs: As the case has been in previous years for the Huskies, there appears to be an abundance of talent in the offensive backfield. Senior Anthony Riley, limited to seven games last year, still ran for 312 yards on 61 carries. Sophomore Maurice Murray has been receiving just as much praise, as he led the team’s running backs with eight touchdowns last year. The two running backs alone made Hager question Barry Jeanson’s role in the backfield, and after a conversation with Jeanson’s high school coach, Hager moved him to safety. Grade: B+
Wide receivers: Northeastern football’s most skilled athlete can be found right here. Parks comes with a career history at wide receiver rivaling anyone who has ever donned the red and black. Parks’ explosive abilities were seen at the beginning of the 2003 season, when he set a single-game record of 246 yards receiving against Albany. Then, in 2004, he caught 14 passes in one game against New Hampshire, another single-game record. Helping to replace Parks’ key secondary threat last year, Quintin Mitchell, will be senior Graham and Ballantyne, whom Hager called excellent athletes with the ability to make big plays. However, Parks had enough attention on him as it was with Mitchell, and it will be even more testing this year for him as the key No. 1 threat. Grade: A-
Offensive line: Just as Brady leaves, the offensive line is probably the strongest it has been in years. This will be the saving grace for the team if Orio and/or Sperrazza struggle. Despite the loss of Bourget, senior tackles Gibbons and Roseborough and guards Art Dias and Ford will line up with athletic center Wil Colon. Grade: A
Defensive line: James Abosi will be missed here. A second-team All Atlantic 10 player, Abosi was the anchor of last year’s line, but there’s a chance Matt Campopiano will help Husky fans forget about him. The junior led the team in sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (11.5). At 6-feet, 2-inches and 245-pounds, Campopiano will aim to again be a strong force from right end. A.J. Lillie, Gene Rich and Brandon Cook will all start as well. Cook, the long snapper, will be the nose guard, while Rich moves to tackle. Lillie, who came out flying in spring practice, is the other end. Grade: B-
Linebackers: Helping to ease Frank into the coveted inside linebacker position will be Charles Hughley and Jamil Young on both sides of him. Young, at 5-feet, 11-inches and 235-pounds, came in at “super condition,” said Hager, while Hughley continues to adapt to linebacker after previously being a strong safety. Also in the mix to help fill the other big loss of Mike Hall (second in tackles) is sophomore John Swenson. Illinois transfer Joe Mele started at inside against Georgia Southern and will get playing time. “I think there’s a chance that we’ll have a respectable crew,” Hager said. Grade: C
Defensive backs: Tri-captain E.J. Jackson leads the way at strong safety. However, the key player for Hager seems to cornerback Richard Orah, who “started like gangbusters, with three interceptions in the first two games” last year. Bismark Osei will man the opposite side and has plenty of experience as a senior. Jackson will be paired with Gay at safety, who will try to fill the explosive presence of Potter. Jeanson will also be in the mix along with Ricardo Giruzzi, Cedric Garner and Saturday’s right cornerback starter Louvans Charlot. Grade: B
Special teams: Kesic’s kicking game fell off last year, as his field goals made-attempted (11-17) and five missed PATs (35-40) were suprising. He is a true veteran who has made his rounds in the league and country, but NU will be looking for answers this year, including Saturday’s missed attempt in overtime. Jared White will be the full-time punter, while speedster Marc Thomas will be important in returning most kicks. Grade: B-
Coaching staff: Last year’s team had the talent, but not the record (5-6). That may have left a bad impression with many of the coaching staff. It shouldn’t have. Hager is an intelligent, well-versed motivator who was pained to see his team lose four games by four points or less. Hager, alongside Davis and defensive coordinator Wally Dembowski, seems to have the right approach to get this team back on the right track. Grade: B+
