After enduring their first losing record since 1985, the Susquehanna University football team will accept nothing less than a return to success in the 2002 season. With 17 starters returning, including nine on offense, 13th-year head coach Steve Briggs expects his Crusaders to battle for the top of the Middle Atlantic Conference standings.

While the Crusaders finished the 2001 campaign with a disappointing 4-6 record, the team closed out the year with convincing victories over Moravian (41-14) and Lebanon Valley (40-13) to enter the offseason on a positive note.

The most notable changes during the offseason took place at Lopardo Stadium, where a state-of-the-art ProGrass synthetic surface has been installed. In addition, lights have been erected which will permit the Crusaders to play the first home night game in the program's 103-season history — against FDU-Madison on October 19.

Once again, the Crusader offense will revolve around the record-setting duo of senior quarterback Mike Bowman and junior split end Mark Bartosic.

Bowman, who holds Susquehanna career records for completions (444), passing yards (5,948) and touchdowns (46), battled injuries last season but still threw for 1,991 yards and 15 scores. Bartosic set school single-season records with 72 catches for 1,190 yards and hauled in 12 touchdowns, increasing his career-record totals to 123 receptions, 2,218 yards and 28 scores after just two seasons.

Senior split end Tim Ronchi added 25 catches for 338 yards while senior tight end John Smith grabbed 15 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown and sophomore split end Josh Kleha nabbed 15 balls for 199 yards and one score.

In the backfield, sophomore Jason Eck led the Crusaders with 154 carries for 582 yards and eight touchdowns, including a school record-tying four scores in the season finale against Lebanon Valley. Sophomore fullback Bryan Strohl is the only other returning back with more than seven carries, having recorded 83 yards on 21 rushes last fall.

Up front, the offensive line returns four starters from last season. Senior left tackle Rob Acheson (6-3, 275) was a MAC honorable mention All-Star while junior Josh Zeyn (6-3, 265) started all 10 games at left guard after shifting from defensive line. Junior Joby Tuminelli (6-2, 282) made five starts at center while senior Jared Villella (6-1, 261) was solid in his first season as a starter at right guard.

Joining the returnees will be sophomore Mark Hamilton (6-3, 270), a transfer from Division I-AA Rhode Island, at right tackle.

On defense, three-time MAC first-team All-Star cornerback Antonio Nash will anchor a unit that lost five seniors to graduation.

Nash intercepted a team-high six passes and ranked second on the team with 76 tackles last season. His 19 career interceptions are tied for second in school history behind the 26 thefts made by Cory Mabry from 1988 through 1991.

Senior strong safety Dennis Kodack is back for his third season in the starting lineup after making 57 tackles a year ago. Fellow senior Nick Chesney found a home at free safety last season and contributed 58 tackles and three picks.

Another senior, Bill Heinzelmann, will start again at middle linebacker after finishing third on the team with 64 tackles in his first year as a starter.

After being decimated by injuries last season, the defensive line is back to full speed. Junior Adam Summers (6-3, 241) and sophomore Adam Laub (6-2, 230) will anchor the end positions while junior Matt Ellis (6-0, 268) and sophomore Matt Hill (6-2, 240) are expected to stuff the run from their tackle spots. All four players missed time last year due to injury, with Summers sitting out the entire year after a pre-season knee injury.

Senior Andy Nadler is back for his fourth year as the Crusader placekicker after converting 3-of-9 field goals and 23-of-30 extra points. Kodack took over the punting duties following the opener last season and averaged 36.1 yards on 40 attempts.