September 27, 2001
Amherst College Lord Jeffs (1-0) vs.
Bowdoin College Polar Bears (0-1)
September 29, 2001 * Pratt Field
Amherst, MA * 1:30 p.m.
SCOUTING AMHERST
On offense, junior running back Kevin Kennard is coming off a career-high 152-yard rushing performance in the Jeffs' season-opening 24-0 win at Hamilton. Senior tailback Okey Ugwonali also cracked the century mark with 107 rushing yards and reeled off a career-long 71-yard run, one of the longest in school history. Both found the end zone as Amherst torched the Continentals for a robust 330-yard rushing total, on the strength of a dominating performance by offensive linemen Rob Vernicek, Brendan Carolin, Josh Ahearn, Colin Renz and Shane Morrow. Junior quarterback Jeff Browne was solid in his first career start, finishing 9-for-16 with 83 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Jim Devine also played four series at quarterback, completing 3-of-6 passes for 35 yards. The Jeffs didn't throw the ball much but managed to spread the wealth as seniors Jerimy Hiltner and Derrell Wright, and juniors Jeff Ryan and Brian Hart, each hauled in a pair of receptions. Wright battled double-teams for much of the afternoon, explaining his unusually low offensive output. First-year place kicker David Bodner was exceptional in his collegiate debut, calmly drilling his first career field goal and three extra points, sending the ball through the Hamilton end zone on several kickoffs. Meanwhile, the defense was stifling, forcing five turnovers and allowing just 185 yards of total offense. Senior linebackers Brian Landolfi and Dan Lalli led the way with eight tackles each, while fellow senior Pat McGee added seven tackles, including a game-high four for loss. The Jeffs also posted a trio of interceptions - two by junior defensive back Joe Rubbone and one by Landolfi - all in the second half, two of which led to Amherst scores.
AMHERST PROBABLE STARTERS
JEFFS OFFENSE
QB #18 Jeff Browne 6-2, 200, JR
FB #44 Jeff Ryan 6-1, 219, JR
TB #27 Okey Ugwonali 5-11, 195, SR
WR #81 Derrell Wright 6-3, 215, SR
WR #3 Brian Hart 5-11, 173, JR
TE #88 Matt Flavin 6-3, 226, SR
C #57 Josh Ahearn 6-1, 245, SR
LT #71 Rob Vernicek 6-6, 292, JR
RT #63 Brendan Carolan 6-5, 265, JR
LG #52 Shane Morrow 6-0, 237, SO
RG #55 Colin Renz 6-1, 240, SR
JEFFS DEFENSE
OLB #59 Gregg Stankewicz 6-0, 220, SR
OLB #41 Gene Nogi 6-0, 212, SR
ILB #6 Brian Landolfi 5-11, 202, SR
ILB #4 Dan Lalli 5-10, 210, SR
NG #53 Brad Hensley 6-0, 225, SR
DT #9 Pat McGee 6-4, 245, SR
DT #96 Pat Hayes 6-2, 215, JR
CB #82 Paul Whiting 6-1, 185, SO
CB #37 Geoff Dewire 5-10, 175, SR
FS #13 Paul Miceli 6-0, 185, JR
SS #24 Jay Hutchins 5-9, 180, SR
JEFFS SPECIALTY
PK #17 David Bodner 5-9, 160, FY
P #98 Geoff Bough 5-11, 175, JR
PR #81 Derrell Wright 6-3, 215, SR
KR #40 Fletcher Ladd 6-1, 200, SO
HOLD #2 Jim Devine 6-4, 213, SO
LS #9 Pat McGee 6-4, 245, SR
SCOUTING BOWDOIN
Coming off an 0-8 season, Bowdoin second-year head coach Dave Caputi is still searching for his first career win after a 21-7 setback against visiting Middlebury College. Junior quarterback Justin Hardison took over the offense early last season and started this year's season-opener, completing 19-of-32 passes for 129 yards with a rushing touchdown. He also threw two interceptions. Sophomore signal-caller John Clifford could also see action off the bench against Amherst, as he did against Middlebury. Their primary target is junior wideout Jason Rawlins, who caught a team-high 29 passes for 312 yards last season, although sophomore tailback Kevin Bougie caught 12 passes for 93 yards out of the backfield against Middlebury. Bougie also rushed for 49 yards on 16 carries, followed by senior tri-captain Mike Taylor's 48-yard output. On defense, the Polar Bears boast a slew of talented linebackers, led by senior Andrius Knasas, who racked up 11 tackles against Middlebury, and sophomore J.P. Hernandez, who added eight takedowns, including six unassisted. The secondary is similarly strong, with senior All-NESCAC tri-captain Travis Cummings returning at free safety. On special teams, Bowdoin starts the season with first-year John Rock handling placekicking duties and fellow rookie Adam Goodfellow handling the punting. Both won their respective jobs during training camp.
BOWDOIN PROBABLE STARTERS
POLAR BEAR OFFENSE
TE #87 Chris Sakelakos (6-2, 205, SR)
LT #75 Eric Morin (6-2, 270, SR)
LG #72 Tim McDonough (6-2, 235, SO)
C #58 Bob DeSaulniers (6-1, 220, SO)
RG #57 Mike Mulholland (6-2, 235, SR)
RT #73 Justin Foster (6-4, 230, JR)
WR #24 Jason Rawlins (5-10, 175, JR)
WR #2 Dan Foley (5-11, 170, FR)
QB #19 Justin Hardison (6-2, 190, JR)
FB #28 Mike Taylor (5-10, 205, SR)
TB #26 Kevin Bougie (5-9, 170, SO)
POLAR BEAR DEFENSE
DE #66 Jeff Pike (6-2, 225, SO)
NT #67 Chris Wagner (5-11, 255, SO)
DE #48 Leroy Gaines (6-2, 225, SR)
LB #7 Andrius Knasas (6-1, 195, SR)
LB #4 Jim Chalmers (6-1, 195, SR)
LB #49 J.P. Hernandez (5-10, 170, SO)
LB #36 Jeb Boudreau (5-10, 200, SO)
CB #9 Jamie Nichols (6-1, 170, JR)
CB #22 Sean Starke (6-2, 192, JR)
SS #20 Ivan Lucuk (5-9, 165, SO)
FS #17 Travis Cummings (6-1, 185, SR)
POLAR BEAR SPECIALTY
PK #45 John Rock (5-11, 190, FR)
P #39 Adam Goodfellow (5-7, 170, FR)
AMHERST HEAD COACH E.J. MILLS
Head coach E.J. Mills took the Amherst helm in 1997 after four years as the Lord Jeffs' defensive coordinator. Four seasons and 24 wins later, he is widely recognized as one of the top head coaches in the NESCAC. As an interim coach in his inaugural season, Mills quickly shook the temporary tag with a stellar 7-1 record, an unofficial conference championship and part ownership of the coveted Little Three title. His two ensuing seasons produced consecutive 5-3 records, while last season's club went 7-1 and won the school's first outright Little Three Championship in 13 years. Mills' greatest asset could be his prowess as a defensive coordinator. Under his tutelage, the 1996 Lord Jeffs led the nation in scoring defense, allowing a miniscule 8.4 points per game. The following year, the Jeffs engineered shutouts in three of their first four outings, including a lopsided 38-0 triumph in Mills' head coaching debut. 1998 brought similar results, including a whopping 35 sacks for a total loss of 220 yards, while the 1999 Jeffs surrendered just 11.0 points per game with 63 tackles for loss. In 2000, Mills' squad led the NESCAC and finished fifth in the nation in scoring defense (8.8 pts./gm.). Mills is a graduate of the University of Dayton, where he earned a degree in history and secondary education in 1988. He later earned a master's degree in educational administration at the University of Albany.
BOWDOIN HEAD COACH DAVE CAPUTI
Dave Caputi enters his second season at Bowdoin after 13 years as an assistant at Amherst's archrival Williams College, including an extended stint as the Ephs offensive coordinator. Under his tutelage, the Williams attack helped compile an 88-13-3 overall record with four undefeated seasons. Caputi had similar success as the quarterbacks and secondary coach at Tufts from 1985-86, transforming the Jumbos from 0-7-1 to a 7-1 contender in just his second season. Ironically, Caputi began coaching at Amherst, scouting and working with wide receivers while playing a big part in the Jeffs' perfect 8-0 season in 1984. He is a 1981 graduate of Middlebury College, where he started at quarterback and led the Panthers to a 6-1-1 record as a senior.
THE SERIES
Amherst holds a 60-16-2 edge in 78 meetings with Bowdoin, after the inaugural matchup in 1896 ended in a 0-0 tie. Since then, the Jeffs have blanked the Polar Bears 24 times, including a 35-0 shutout win at Bowdoin last season.
AMHERST VS. BOWDOIN ALL-TIME RESULTS (60-16-2 / 78 meetings)
1896 tie 0-0
1899 Amherst 11 Bowdoin 6
1900 Bowdoin 11 Amherst 6
1901 Amherst 29 Bowdoin 0
1902 Amherst 16 Bowdoin 0
1903 Amherst 23 Bowdoin 0
1904 Amherst 23 Bowdoin 0
1905 Amherst 23 Bowdoin 6
1907 Amherst 12 Bowdoin 0
1910 Bowdoin 3 Amherst 0
1915 Amherst 6 Bowdoin 0
1916 Bowdoin 12 Amherst 10
1919 Amherst 3 Bowdoin 0
1920 Amherst 13 Bowdoin 0
1922 Bowdoin 28 Amherst 7
1923 Bowdoin 13 Amherst 0
1924 Bowdoin 16 Amherst 14
1925 Amherst 27 Bowdoin 0
1926 tie 7-7
1928 Amherst 7 Bowdoin 3
1940 Amherst 13 Bowdoin 7
1941 Amherst 33 Bowdoin 6
1942 Amherst 25 Bowdoin 0
1946 Amherst 7 Bowdoin 0
1947 Bowdoin 8 Amherst 6
1948 Amherst 27 Bowdoin 19
1949 Amherst 14 Bowdoin 7
1950 Amherst 32 Bowdoin 20
1951 Bowdoin 46 Amherst 35
1952 Bowdoin 31 Amherst 7
1953 Amherst 28 Bowdoin 0
1954 Amherst 25 Bowdoin 19
1955 Amherst 20 Bowdoin 0
1956 Amherst 39 Bowdoin 12
1957 Amherst 58 Bowdoin 14
1958 Amherst 34 Bowdoin 0
1959 Amherst 28 Bowdoin 12
1960 Bowdoin 7 Amherst 6
1961 Amherst 27 Bowdoin 6
1962 Amherst 34 Bowdoin 12
1963 Amherst 3 Bowdoin 0
1964 Amherst 19 Bowdoin 18
1965 Amherst 21 Bowdoin 13
1966 Amherst 51 Bowdoin 0
1967 Amherst 42 Bowdoin 13
1968 Amherst 33 Bowdoin 3
1969 Amherst 23 Bowdoin 7
1970 Bowdoin 34 Amherst 21
1971 Amherst 39 Bowdoin 21
1972 Amherst 35 Bowdoin 13
1973 Amherst 23 Bowdoin 8
1974 Amherst 14 Bowdoin 12
1975 Amherst 21 Bowdoin 14
1976 Amherst 42 Bowdoin 7
1977 Amherst 33 Bowdoin 0
1978 Amherst 20 Bowdoin 10
1979 Amherst 22 Bowdoin 17
1980 Bowdoin 35 Amherst 22
1981 Amherst 17 Bowdoin 6
1982 Amherst 43 Bowdoin 0
1983 Amherst 20 Bowdoin 0
1984 Amherst 43 Bowdoin 0
1985 Amherst 24 Bowdoin 15
1986 Amherst 35 Bowdoin 19
1987 Bowdoin 29 Amherst 7
1988 Amherst 15 Bowdoin 14
1989 Amherst 29 Bowdoin 7
1990 Amherst 19 Bowdoin 18
1991 Bowdoin 27 Amherst 15
1992 Bowdoin 41 Amherst 0
1993 Amherst 21 Bowdoin 0
1994 Amherst 41 Bowdoin 7
1995 Amherst 27 Bowdoin 20
1996 Amherst 46 Bowdoin 0
1997 Amherst 30 Bowdoin 0
1998 Bowdoin 24 Amherst 16
1999 Amherst 10 Bowdoin 7
2000 Amherst 35 Bowdoin 0
LAST MEETING
Behind 100-yard games from junior Okey Ugwonali and sophomore Kevin Kennard, Amherst rushed for 339 yards, its third-highest single-game total ever, en route to a 35-0 thrashing at Bowdoin on September 30, 2000. Kennard ripped off touchdown runs of 41 and 42 yards in the first quarter, before Ugwonali ballooned the lead to 21-0 midway through the second with a 15-yard run. With nine ticks left in the first half, senior quarterback Peter Honig connected with junior Jerimy Hiltner for a seven-yard scoring strike and a 28-0 bulge at break. The Jeffs then put the finishing touches on the win as Honig hooked up with Hiltner again on a 5-yard TD pass with 10:32 left in the game. Honig ended the afternoon 10-of-14 for 81 yards and two touchdowns, while the Amherst defense posted its second-straight shutout, led by junior linebacker Dan Lalli's team-high 10 total tackles. Sophomore quarterback Justin Hardison was 18-for-31 with 122 yards and one interception for Bowdoin, while Kevin Bougie ran the ball 17 times for 53 yards.
AMHERST LAST TIME OUT
Junior running back Kevin Kennard rumbled for a career-high 152 yards on 19 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run to cap an 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter, as Amherst College blanked host Hamilton College 24-0 last week at Steuben Field. Senior tailback Okey Ugwonali also topped the century mark with 107 rushing yards on 13 carries, while the defense held the Continentals to just 185 yards of total offense, as Amherst blanked Hamilton in its season-opener for the second straight season. Junior Jeff Browne was solid at quarterback, completing 9-of-16 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, with just one interception marring what was otherwise a successful launch to his career as a starter. Sophomore signal caller Jim Devine also led four offensive series for Amherst and finished 3-for-6 with 35 yards passing. The defense stifled the Continentals, forcing them into five costly turnovers, including a pair of fumbles in the first quarter - one the result of a vicious hit by senior defensive lineman Brad Hensley and the other recovered by senior linebacker Dan Lalli. Senior linebacker Brian Landolfi - who also had an interception in the second half - and Lalli each posted nine tackles, while senior defensive tackle Pat McGee added seven takedowns, including a game-high four for loss. Linebackers Gregg Stankewicz and Ed Sylvester posted key sacks and junior defensive back Joe Rubbone added a pair of interceptions for the Jeffs, who hounded Hamilton quarterback Mike Pellman all afternoon long.
BOWDOIN LAST TIME OUT
Middlebury scored on its first play from scrimmage and never looked back en route to a 21-7 win at Bowdoin last week. After the opening kickoff, Middlebury's Bill Lazzaro took a handoff up the middle, broke two tackles and took off on a 74-yard scoring run. The Panthers then doubled their advantage when quarterback Scott Roberts found Denny Smith over the middle on a slant pattern for a 14-0 lead. To make matters worse, Panther rookie Eric Shanley finished off an 11-play, 55-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run with 5:04 remaining in the third quarter. Down 21-1, Bowdoin finally pierced the scoring column early in the fourth when quarterback Justin Hardison ran a keeper up the middle for a touchdown, finishing off an 11-play, 48-yard drive. Middlebury's Ernie Miller proved to be the defensive star of the game, intercepting two passes for the Panthers, while Bill Lazzaro finished 142 yards rushing on 24 carries. Hardison finished 19-for-32 on the day for 129 yards passing to lead Bowdoin.
AMHERST STATISTICAL LEADERS
PASSING...
Jeff Browne (9-for-16/83 yds./1 int./1 TD)
RUSHING...
Kevin Kennard (19 carries/152 yds./1 TD)
Okey Ugwonali (13 carries/107 yds./1 TD)
RECEIVING...
Jerimy Hiltner (2 rec./26 yds./0 TD)
SPECIAL TEAMS...
Derrell Wright (6 punt returns/38 yds.)
David Bodner (1-2 FGs/3-3 PATs)
BOWDOIN STATISTICAL LEADERS
PASSING...
Justin Hardison (19-for-32/129 yds./2 int./0 TD)
RUSHING...
Kevin Bougie (16 carries/49 yds./0 TD)
Mike Taylor (9 carries/48 yds./0 TD)
RECEIVING...
Kevin Bougie (12 rec./93 yds./0 TD)
SPECIAL TEAMS...
Travis Cummings (2 kick returns/39 yds.)
Adam Goodfellow (5 punts/32 yd. avg.)
TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISONS
AMHERST:
Rushing Yards/Per Game....330 yds./330.0 avg.
Passing Yards/Per Game....118 yds./118.0 avg.
Total Offense/Per Game....448 yds./448.0 avg.
Total Points/Per Game....24 pts./24.0 avg.
Rushing Allowed/Per Game....26 yds./26.0 avg.
Passing Allowed/Per Game....159 yds./159.0 avg.
Total Offense Allowed/Per Game...185 yd./185.0 avg.
Total Points Allowed/Per Game....7 pts./7.0 avg.
BOWDOIN:
Rushing Yards/Per Game....132 yds./132.0 avg.
Passing Yards/Per Game....142 yds./142.0 avg.
Total Offense/Per Game....274 yds./274.0 avg.
Total Points/Per Game....7 pts./7.0 avg.
Rushing Allowed/Per Game....214 yds./214.0 avg.
Passing Allowed/Per Game....89 yds./89.0 avg.
Total Offense Allowed/Per Game....303 yds./303.0 avg.
Total Points Allowed/Per Game....21 pts./21.0 avg.
2001 AMHERST SCHEDULE/RESULTS
9/22 @ Hamilton W 24-0
9/29 BOWDOIN 1:30 pm
10/6 MIDDLEBURY 1:30 pm
10/13 @ Colby 1:30 pm
10/20 WESLEYAN* 1:30 pm
10/27 @ Tufts 1:30 pm
11/3 TRINITY 1:00 pm
11/10 @ Williams Noon
*homecoming
2001 BOWDOIN SCHEDULE/RESULTS
9/22 MIDDLEBURY L 21-7
9/29 @ Amherst 1:30 pm
10/6 @ Tufts 1:30 pm
10/13 HAMILTON 12:30 pm
10/20 @ Trinity 1:30 pm
10/27 WESLEYAN 1:30 pm
11/3 @ Bates 12:30 pm
11/10 COLBY 12:30 pm
AMHERST QUICK FACTS
Location: Amherst, MA
Founded: 1821
Enrollment: Approximately 1,650
Nickname: Lord Jeffs
Conference: NESCAC
Affiliation: NCAA III
Colors: Purple & White
Stadium: Pratt Field (8,000)
President: Tom Gerety
Ath. Director: Peter Gooding
AMHERST FOOTBALL FACTS
Head Coach: E.J. Mills
Alma Mater (Yr.): Dayton ('88)
Jeffs Record: 25-8 (Fifth Season)
Overall Record: 25-8
Basic Offense: Multiple I
Basic Defense: 5-2
BOWDOIN QUICK FACTS
Location: Brunswick, ME
Founded: 1794
Enrollment: 1,550
Nickname: Polar Bears
Conference: NESCAC
Affiliation: NCAA III
Colors: White
Stadium: Whittier Field
President: Barry Mills
Ath. Director: Jeffrey H. Ward
BOWDOIN FOOTBALL FACTS
Head Coach: David Caputi
Alma Mater (Yr.): Middlebury (1981)
Hamilton Record: 0-9 (2nd Season
Overall Record: 0-9 (2nd Season)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: 3-4
2001 NESCAC STANDINGS
Amherst...1-0
Middlebury...1-0
Trinity...1-0
Tufts...1-0
Williams...1-0
Bates...0-1
Bowdoin...0-1
Colby...0-1
Hamilton...0-1
Wesleyan...0-1
2001 NESCAC RESULTS
Saturday, September 22
Trinity 41 at Bates 7
Amherst 24 at Hamilton 0
Williams 28 at Colby 13
Tufts 35 at Wesleyan 20
Middlebury 21 at Bowdoin 7
THIS WEEK IN THE NESCAC
Tufts @ Bates 1:00 pm
Bowdoin @ Amherst 1:30 pm
Colby @ Middlebury 1:30 pm
Wesleyan @ Hamilton 1:30 pm
Williams @ Trinity 1:30 pm
ECAC NEW ENGLAND POLL
1. Western Connecticut (2-0)
2. Worcester St. (4-0)
3. AMHERST (1-0)
4. Curry (4-0)
5. Plymouth St. (2-1)
6. Salve Regina (3-0)
7. Westfield St. (3-0)
8. UMass-Dartmouth (2-1)
9. WILLIAMS (1-0)
10. MIDDLEBURY (1-0)
Also Receiving Votes (to be listed a team must receive at least one percent of the available points): Springfield (16), Tufts (10), Trinity (8).
AMHERST ATHLETICS ONLINE - www.amherst.edu/sports
The official Website of Amherst athletics, complete with the latest statistics, results, schedules, player rosters and game wrapups from all 27 Jeff sports teams. The Website is updated after every Amherst athletic event and crammed with features and photographs. We've also incorporated the technology to post live text updates for home football games, allowing anyone with Internet access to root for the Jeffs as the action unfolds. Over 154,000 fans have accessed the Website since its re-launch in August 2000.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Amherst...
Kevin Graber, SID
Office: (413) 542-2390
Fax: (413) 542-2527
Bowdoin...
Jim Caton, SID
Office: (207) 725-3254
Fax: (207) 798-7012
NESCAC...
Tim Farrell, SID
Office: (860) 987-6217
Fax: (860) 987-6529
AROUND THE NESCAC
Tufts junior running Kevin Kelley was tabbed the NESCAC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-20 road-win at Wesleyan. His 40-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter broke a 14-14 tie and his five-yard touchdown run with 21 seconds left in the quarter extended the Jumbo lead to 35-14. Williams junior defensive back Johnny Kelly and Middlebury defensive back Ernie Miller were named the Conference's Co-Defensive Players of the Week. Kelly made seven tackles and intercepted two passes to lead the Ephs to a 28-13 win at 2000 NESCAC tri-champion Colby, while Miller posted seven tackles, two interceptions and a blocked punt to lead Middlebury to a 21-7 win at Bowdoin. Middlebury linebacker Philip Reiff and Trinity wideout Bradley Soules earned NESCC Co-Rookie of the Week honors. Reiff had 12 tackles, including one for a loss at linebacker in his first collegiate game, a 21-7 Panther victory over Bowdoin. Soules caught four passes for 84 yards and one touchdown (27 yards) and added five tackles on special teams. Around the conference, junior running back Kevin Kennard rushed for a career-high 156 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown for Amherst in a 24-0 victory over Hamilton. Senior linebacker Brian Landolfi led the Jeffs with nine tackles, including seven unassisted, one interception and two pass breakups. Freshman David Bodner kicked a 24-yard field goal... Senior linebacker Andrius Knasas of Bowdoin recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and finished with seven tackles, including two for a loss against Middlebury... Sophomore Kevin Conole caught seven passes for 109 yards in his first game at tight end for Hamilton. Senior linebacker Mike Powers led the Continentals with 16 tackles, including 11 unassisted stops and two tackles for loss. On one play, he sprinted 60 yards to make a touchdown-saving tackle, helping to limit Amherst to a field goal... Junior running back Bill Lazzaro of Middlebury rushed 21 times for 142 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage... Sophomore running back Thomas Pierandri of Trinity rushed 22 times for a career-high 135 yards and one touchdown in a 41-7 win over Bates... Sophomore quarterback Brennan Carney completed 21 of 42 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns for Wesleyan. Senior George Thompson caught eight passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns... Sophomore running back Mike Hackett rushed 21 times for 96 yards and one touchdown, and caught four passes for 30 yards for Williams in a 21-7 win over Bowdoin.
