2009 Southern Connecticut State
Season Outlook

Information Provided by Southern Connecticut Sports Information

Earning national recognition, as well as NCAA berths, have become commonplace in recent years for the Southern Connecticut State football program. All signs point to continued success in that respect this fall.

There will be 14 starters returning from the 2008 squad, a team that ranked as a high as No. 14 in the nation and reeled off seven straight wins to close out the regular season.

With that success fresh in mind, there is a definite sense of enthusiasm surrounding the 2009 team as the Owls are looking to make the NCAA Playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

The Owls welcome back an impressive group of highly skilled players at an array of positions which will form an experienced core of veteran student-athletes. A diverse amount of talent on both sides of the ball should bode well for the team in a competitive Northeast-10 Conference.

On the individual front, junior tailback John Wiechman and junior lineman James Economou have already been named 2009 Preseason All-Americans by Consensus Draft Services.

Now the mission is to take the program to new heights and earn a fifth straight NCAA playoff berth.

“We’re expecting great things from out entire team this year,” said head coach Rich Cavanaugh. “We’re excited to have a host of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Our team goal is to qualify for the NCAA Playoffs for a fifth year in a row.”

OFFENSE
Quarterbacks

Returning All-Conference selection and 2008 Harry Jacunski Award winner Chris Roberts will be in charge of orchestrating the offense for the Owls this fall.

As a redshirt junior last season, Roberts stepped right into the starting role in week three and led the squad to seven straight wins to conclude the regular season. His precision passing was instrumental in the team’s success as he concluded the year by completing 148-of-240 passes (61.7%).

By the end of the regular season, Roberts became an individual standout as he passed for 2,125 yards and 20 touchdowns, solidifying his starting role in 2009.
Sophomore Kevin Lynch and redshirt freshman James Connolly will also be battling for playing time this fall. As a redshirt freshman, Lynch played in the first three games last year and threw for three touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury.

Running Backs

When it comes to the backfield, the Owls are loaded with talent and experience which should form a balanced offensive attack.

Leading the way is senior tailback Jarom Freeman, who is looking to continue his dominance at the position this fall. The powerful back battled injuries throughout last season but still managed to finish the year second in the conference in rushing touchdowns (seven) and fourth in total yards (746).

Despite missing several games, Freeman was named an All-Conference selection. The SCSU single-season record holder for rushing yards – he tallied 1,906 yards on the ground as a sophomore – will serve as a team captain this fall.

Junior John Wiechman will team up with Freeman to form an explosive duo in the backfield. After Freeman’s injury last season, Wiechman stepped right into the starting role and ended up rushing for 1,047 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also led the league in scoring (96 points) and touchdowns (16).

For his efforts, Wiechman was named the 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year, an All-ECAC selection and an All-Region pick by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. He is expected to continue his excellent performance this season as he was named a 2009 Preseason All-American by Consensus Draft Services.

Shouldering some of the workload at tailback will be sophomore Rashaad Slowley. As a freshman last season, Slowley saw significant time in the backfield and also rushed for over 100 yards in the spring game.

The fullback position will be led by sophomore Curtis Shappy, who will take over as a starter after logging time as a key reserve in 2008. As a redshirt freshman, Shappy played in nine games for the Owls last season

Rich Harrison, a sophomore fullback, will also contend for playing time in the backfield this fall.

Offensive Line

A trio of highly acclaimed starters return to the offensive line this fall, including senior Greg Tuba, who will serve as a team captain.

Junior James Economou, an All-Conference pick a year ago, will be back to add protection up front for the Owls. As a sophomore in 2008, Economou stepped right into a starting role and was named a 2008 All-Region selection by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. Expectations continued to rise for Economou, as he was named a 2009 Preseason All-American by Consensus Draft Services.

Sophomore Jeffrey Querusio returns as a starter for the Owls this fall after being named to the Northeast-10 Conference All-Rookie team in 2008.

The other starters will be junior John Russell and sophomore Spencer Charette, who will both see increased playing time from last season.

Also expected to see time on the offensive line will be senior Rob Mazza, juniors Robert Seccareccia and Paul Cerny and redshirt freshmen William Chaffin and David Dronzank.

Receivers/Tight Ends

The youthful receiving corps for the Owls will look to fill in for a talented graduating class with their sheer talent.

Sophomore Andre Privott came on late last year – his best two games were his last two games (159 yards, two touchdowns), including a 100-yard receiving effort in the regular season finale against AIC.

Lining up with Privott will be redshirt freshman Willie Epps, who will be looking to use his natural abilities as a young starter and help pave the way for a speedy offensive attack.

Also contesting for playing time at the wide out position will be junior Brian Tourtelott and redshirt freshmen Jayson Holt and Timothy Wells. Tourtelott appeared in four games for the Owls last season and finished with two touchdowns while Holt and Wells will be getting their first taste of significant game action.

Senior Pete DiGangi is projected as the starting tight end after contributing as a reserve throughout his career. DiGangi played in 11 games for the Owls last season and finished with 55 yards in an increased role at the position.

Redshirt freshman Robert Moores will also be battling for playing time at tight end this fall.

DEFENSE
Defensive Line

The defensive line will boast a healthy mix of veteran leadership and youthful exuberance for the Owls this fall.

Senior Eric Holter is a two-time All-Conference selection and has been a dominant force on the line. As a junior in 2008, Holter led the team in sacks (7.5) and fumble recoveries (two) and also posted 20 tackles, 15 of which were solo.

Sophomore Dan Lamberton, an All-Rookie team pick a year ago, returns to the defensive line with experience at the position. As a redshirt freshman, Lamberton played in 11 games for the Owls and racked up 19 tackles.

Junior Daniel Allen and sophomore Ikponmwosa Igbinosun join the starting line and will look to step up in 2009. Allen played in 10 games last season and tallied eight tackles and two sacks while Igbinosun registered eight tackles and one sack in seven games as a reserve.

Junior Adolph Bellamy and redshirt freshmen Antonio Carter and Ricky Kirk are also contending for playing time on the defensive front this season.

Linebackers

The Owls are loaded with talent at the linebacker position, as the powerful duo of seniors Jerome Pinckney and Andrew Pratt return to lead a dominant unit.

In his first season with the Owls, Pinckney was nothing short of outstanding, as he was named All-Region, All-New England, All-ECAC and All-Conference. He led the team with 67 tackles and eight quarterback hurries on his way to being named the 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

After another exceptional campaign for the Owls last season, Pratt will look to continued success as one of the top defensive threats in the conference this fall. Pratt paced the club with 11.5 tackles for a loss and ranked second on the team in tackles (65). He led the Owls in tackles in both 2006 and 2007.

Junior Landon Osborn enjoyed a breakout season last fall as he stepped right into a starting role. He posted 48 tackles (33 solo) and recorded 4.5 sacks.

Also adding depth to the linebacker unit is junior Derrell Moye, sophomore Rich Romaine and redshirt freshmen Clarence Brown, Eric Stephens and Nathan Tyler.

Secondary

There is no shortage of experience in the secondary, where All-American candidate Martin Manson returns to guide a veteran crew.

In his junior season, Manson was an All-Conference pick for the third consecutive year. With 36 tackles, he was also an All-ECAC selection for the second year in a row and ranked second on the team with two interceptions. Manson will be a team captain in 2009.

Senior Kyle Sandberg enjoyed another standout season in 2008 and led the club with four interceptions. He made 48 tackles on the year and will also be a team captain this fall.

Senior Ramon Johnson was slowed by injury in 2008, but still managed to play in seven games and record 16 tackles. His experience will allow him to step right back into the starting role this fall.

Rounding out the secondary will be redshirt freshman Josh McWilliams. Juniors Richard Kirkland and Terrence Brown and sophomore Michael Escobar will all serve as key reserves in the secondary this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

After stepping right in as the year progressed as the starting placekicker, sophomore Christopher Hazelton is expected to continue his success after a solid freshman campaign. Hazelton connected on 30-of-35 extra points and hit 4-of-5 field goals last fall. He is also expected to serve as the team’s punter.

Senior Michael Campbell is expected to serve as the team’s long snapper. The holding duties will go to Roberts.