Despite finishing 6-4, the football team considered last season a disappointment. The team amassed a losing record in league play (3-4) and often played poorly in the fourth quarter, losing tough games down the stretch to both Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.
"Last year we were 6-4, so I want nothing (to carry over) from last year," said Head Coach Phil Estes. "I want to win more ... and get more finish than we did last year."
With the return of several key players, more options in their passing attack and a defense anchored by four senior linemen, the Bears have the tools in place to do just that.
"The bottom line is, we have the talent to make something happen," said tri-captain Nick Hartigan '06. "I think we're right there, and with the new guys we have ... we're pretty excited about it."
Hartigan, who was named a preseason All-American and a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, given out to the best Division I-AA player, is again expected to play a pivotal role in the team's success. Last year, Hartigan rushed for a school-record 17 touchdowns and was named All-Ivy for the second straight year. His 1,263 yards ranked second on the school's all-time single-season list, behind only his 2004 campaign of 1,498 yards.
Offensive Line Coach Frank Sheehan says that Hartigan has made the linemen feel like royalty.
"As an offensive lineman," Sheehan said, "you wake up after Hart has a good day, you feel like a king. With a great running back, you don't have to hold your blocks as long."
Though Hartigan returns, the offensive line graduated four out of five starters, leaving right-guard Alex Jury '06, a second team All-Ivy honoree last year, as the only returning lineman. Sheehan said that seven linemen are "game ready," and that all of them will play. The slated starters are Alex Doty '07 at left tackle, Michael DiBartolo '07 at left guard, Noori Abdul-Ghani '06 at center, Jury at right guard and James Tull '08 at right tackle. AJ Tracey '08 will also see time at left guard and Evan Barbosa '07 will spell Tull at right tackle.
Though the unit is inexperienced, Sheehan has been encouraged by what he has seen in training camp.
"It's been a terrific off-season. They're very athletic and strong," Sheehan said. "Any time you lack that experience, there will come breakdowns. But that's our goal, to cut down on those mistakes. ... We're going to go out and knock some people around."
Estes said it will be easier for the offensive line to adjust because of both Hartigan and an improved receiving corps. Entering last season, the Bears had only one wide receiver with varsity experience - Jarrett Schreck '06, who led the league with 1,035 yards. Bruno also relied heavily on second-team All-Ivy tight end David Turner '06, who caught 25 passes for 339 yards. But because of the inexperience of the other options, the passing game faltered and defenses often stacked the line to slow Hartigan.
This year, the receiving unit is bolstered by the return of Lonnie Hill '07, who led the Ivy League in receptions his sophomore year but took last year off.
"Lonnie Hill's a great player," Hartigan said. "He's one of those guys you definitely miss when he's not there. He's been doing really well in camp."
Estes said the team will have to wait and see how Hill performs, but that it is tough to overlook what he did two years ago. Hill will probably prevent defenses from double-covering Schreck and open up the run for Hartigan, Estes added.
Estes also expects contributions from Paul Raymond '08, who earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors after a stellar game against Princeton. Efren Blackledge '06 and Tom Balestracci '07 round out the receiving unit.
The quarterback position was a question mark entering the season, but recently became quite clear. Anthony Vita '07 and Joe DiGiacomo '07, who split the job last year, competed for the opening day start again this year. However, when DiGiacomo was named the starter against Georgetown on Saturday, Vita opted to quit the team rather than serve as a backup to start the season.
Matt Nuzzo '09 will move into the backup slot, while Matt Hostetler '06 moves back to his original position behind him. Hostetler was moved to free safety in the preseason, but a pulled hamstring and the need for depth behind center moved him back.
The defense lost two leaders in free safety Craig Young '05 and linebacker Angel Gutierrez '05, but looks even stronger than last season, when it held opponents to 316.4 yards a game. Linebacker Zak DeOssie '07, a third-team All-American last year in his second season since switching to the position from quarterback and a preseason All-American this year, has been much hyped and faces lofty expectations.
"Zak's had to deal with pressures his whole life," said Defensive Coordinator Mike Kelleher of the junior, the son of former NFL linebacker Steve DeOssie. "He has his goals, but he's also a tremendous practice player. ... We expect him to continue (his) improvement."
Along with DeOssie, the defense will be anchored by the defensive line, which returns four starters. Tri-captain James Frazier '06, named to the All-Ivy second team last year, was second in the Ivy League with nine sacks. Joined by Steve Storrs '06, Casey Dougan '07, Pat Curran '06 and Greg Burlin '06, Frazier leads a line that figures to be a force.
"I think everything starts with the D-line," said cornerback tri-captain Jamie Gasparella '06. "It definitely helps our confidence knowing the guys up front are going to do their job."
Jose Yearwood '08 will step in for Young at free safety, which has been the defense's biggest uncertainty. Adjatay Nyadjroh '07 and Matt Mullenax '08 will also compete for playing time. Nyadjroh has battled injuries in camp, leaving Yearwood as the opening game starter.
"He's a terrific athlete," Estes said. "He's also a guy who can come up and stop the run."
On special teams, placekicker and punter Steve Morgan '08 returns after being named Ivy League Rookie of the Year last season. In a practice game this summer, Morgan booted a 51-yard field goal, showcasing his long leg.
The Bears open Saturday at Georgetown against a Hoya team that has already played two games, going 1-1, and will be playing its first game in its new stadium. Brown players and coaches agree that the Hoyas have a slight advantage, and George-town has the added inspiration of dedicating the new field. The school's Web site features a "Countdown to Brown."
"It's like someone scheduling you for their homecoming," Sheehan said.
The Bears are ready to play a meaningful game and, for the first time this year, hit someone other than their teammates.
"They've been waiting for us for a while," said Hartigan. "But we're equally excited for them (and) seeing some new jerseys out there."
