Ready to Make Some Noise

The Susquehanna University football team plans to make some noise in the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2001. Chances are that sound will come from passes flying through the air.

With junior quarterback Mike Bowman and sophomore split end Mark Bartosic ready for an encore of their memorable 2000 campaign, the Crusaders are ready to improve on last season's 7-3 overall record and challenge for their first outright MAC crown since 1986 and first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1991.

Bowman and Bartosic are two of 17 starters (6 offense, 10 defense, 1 kicker) and 23 letterwinners that return for 12th-year head coach Steve Briggs, including two All-Americans and four first-team league All-Stars.

Bowman set single-season Susquehanna records for completions (184), attempts (354), passing yards (2,563), touhdowns (20) and total offense (2,462). Bartosic, a teammate of Bowman's at nearby Shikellamy High School, made a major impact in his first year at Susquehanna after transferring from Division I-AA Bucknell by hauling in 51 passes for Crusader single-season records of 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Junior Tim Ronchi will be counted on to step up as the number-two receiver after ranking fourth on the team with 29 catches for 336 yards and one touchdown. Junior John Smith (6-4, 220) was a Commonwealth League second-team All-Star last year at tight end after snagging 15 passes for 150 yards and one score.

The running game is a major concern for the coaching staff as junior Jon Dvorshock is the only returning back for the Crusaders. A threat out of the backfield as well, Dvorshock ran for 203 yards and one touchdown while catching 35 passes for 403 yards and a score. However, Briggs is confident that several first-year players are talented enough to more than make up for their lack of experience.

On the line, the Crusaders will need to overcome the graduation of All-Americans Randy Zook and Dave Wonderlick. Seniors Rob Acheson (6-2, 240) and Matt Shaffer (6-2, 290) are ready to go after injury-plagued seasons in 2000 and will man the tackle positions, while senior Jason Tomko (6-0, 265) returns at left guard. Sophomore Phil Falvo (5-11, 242) has the inside track at center while sophomore Josh Zeyn (6-3, 250) shifts from the defensive line to take over at right guard.

The Crusader defense returns 10 starters from a unit that ranked sixth in the MAC in yards allowed (349.0 per game) last season. Leading the way is junior free safety Antonio Nash, a two-time All-American who led the Crusaders with 53 solo tackles (74 total) and ranked second on the squad with three interceptions.

He anchors a veteran secondary that allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 46.8 percent of their attempts last season. Senior Tom Kay and junior Nick Chesney will patrol the corners after sharing the team lead with nine pass breakups last season. Kay also added a team-best five interceptions and has picked 14 passes in his first three years.

Junior Dennis Kodack rounds out the secondary at strong safety, blossoming in his first season to finish fourth on the team with 45 tackles (33 solo) and three interceptions.

The linebacker corps is led by senior tri-captain Troy Sosnovik, who made a team-best 80 tackles, including 10 for loss and three sacks. Junior Bill Heinzelmann is expected to step in as a starter after making 17 stops in a reserve role last season.

On the line, the return of senior Dom DeSteno will help ease the loss of team MVP Frank Hanlon to graduation. DeSteno posted 4 1/2 sacks in 1999 and is expected to be an impact performer at left end. Sophomores Adam Summers and Matt Ellis enjoyed fine freshman campaigns and will patrol the right side of the line, while senior John Hoffman recorded 2 1/2 sacks at left tackle last year.

Junior Andy Nadler is back for a third season at kicker after drilling eight field goals in 11 tries last season, but a punter will be needed to replace three-year performer Ryan Hollis.