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The Bloomsburg University football team heads into 2004 on the heels of a season that was very good, but was oh-so close to being great. The Huskies posted a record of 7-4 in 2003, but lost three of those games by a combined total of five points. Now with the new season just around the corner, the outlook is that this season could be even better.

OFFENSE

Going into the 2003 season the Huskies were unsettled on a several key offensive skill positions. However, there are no such concerns this season and coach Danny Hale is optimistic about offense. “We have an experienced quarterback in Jack Lydic, along with a veteran offensive line and returning starters at receiver and running back, so the expectation is there that we should be able to move the ball and score points right from the start this season,” said Hale.

QUARTERBACK

For the first time since the 2000 season Bloomsburg returns its starting quarterback from the previous season. Red-shirt junior Jack Lydic became the Huskies' starter midway through the 2003 season and finished the year with over 1,800 yards passing. His backup will be another red-shirt junior, Al West, who also saw action last year and provides the Huskies with good depth. Red-shirt freshman Matt Friedman had an outstanding spring season and will be looking for playing time as well.

RUNNING BACK

Mike Ceroli is the team's top returning back after gaining over 1,000 yards as a junior, only the eighth time in school history that feat has been accomplished. Ceroli has the big-play capability and is one of the team' tri-captains in 2003. Providing the Huskies with even more depth at tailback is freshman Jamar Brittingham. A former Division I recruit, Brittingham has great speed and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. In addition, the tailback spot will be bolstered by the return of Julius Brown who led the team in rushing two years ago, but sat out last year.

At fullback Tyson Hale is the returning starter who doesn't make mental errors and knows his role with the offense, that is, to block first and run second. Playing behind Hale will be Jay Collins, a red-shirt sophomore who was part of the team's rotation last year and is a prototype full-back. Also looking for playing time will be Shawn Williams, a red-shirt junior who has gotten better each year.

TIGHT END The Huskies two tight ends, Brad Bowman and Luke Kuklick split time for much of last year and will do so again this year. Both players got better as the season progressed and are two great players for us. Kuklick runs very well and had 14 receptions last year, while Bowman also is very quick and made nine catches a year ago. Al Meacham, a red-shirt freshman with good size, will also vie for playing time.

WIDE RECEIVER

The Huskies return two of their top three receivers from a year ago in Nick Kurtz and Steve Burke. Kurtz came on strong last year and was the team's possession receiver. Burke was the Huskies' deep threat last year and caught 11 touchdown passes on just 23 receptions. Playing behind both Kurtz and Burke will be Kevin Keating and Greg Masters. Keating has good hands and had an excellent spring, while Masters has also worked hard to improve. Also look for Greg McGhee and Matt Hamm to be in the mix for playing time this fall.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Leading the returning players on the offensive line is All-American candidate Jahri Evans. The 6-4, 340 pound Evans has drawn the attention of NFL scouts and will be counted on to be the main component of the offensive line at tackle. Also returning as the other tackle is Rich Russell who stepped in midway through last year and put together a solid season.

Backing up at tackle is Luke Adams who has seen time at nearly all of the offensive line positions. At guard, John Moser is another returning starter, while Pat Spadaro is back after sitting out last year. Wynton Shelton played last year and will see spot duty as well at guard. At center, Bryan Scruggs will be the starting center after putting together a solid spring season. Playing behind Scruggs will be Mike Heydt who the coaching staff feels has a bright future with the team.

DEFENSE

Defensively, the Huskies lost several key players, especially at linebacker, but Hale feels the defense will once again be good. “We did lose some key personnel, but we rotated enough people in those spots last year that we do have some players who can step in right away and contribute for us this year,” Hale continued. “Up front we will be very good and should also be strong in the defensive secondary. All but one of last year's starters will return there for us.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Huskies will use a lot of people on the defensive line led by graduate student Tony Milone, who will be moved to the outside to take advantage of his speed and quickness. Dominick Esgro also returns at one of the end spots after seeing lots of time there in 2003. Zac Barton and Jordon Golob, who were rotating starters last year, will see lots of time again this year. In addition, Justin Colon will also see time in the rotation for Bloomsburg.

On the inside, Todd White, 6-1, 310 pounds, will be an impact player for Bloomsburg. White has the ability to be a dominant player and will anchor the inside. Among those joining White in a rotation will be Ben Cohick, Brian Hummer and Dave Shemaria.

LINEBACKER

At linebacker the Huskies will be led by senior captain Paul Linn. A silent leader, Linn is a smart player who has all the tools. On the outside, Tony Harris will get the nod at one of the spots, while Kyle Sosnovick will also be a starter after playing a great deal as a true freshman last year. Also looking for playing time will be Rob Biernat, Matt Smith, Matt Bleiler, Owen Wilson and Dan Dazet.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Senior Chris Kelly is a returning starter at safety for the Huskies and will lead the secondary. Gabe Robinson will also see time at safety after starting a few games last year. Ty Ulrich, Tyler Trettin and Jeremy Lightner will also all figure in the Huskies' rotation at safety.

On the corner, Joe Scritchfield returns as one of the starters along with Brett Fryer. Scritchfield is the Huskies' cover guy, while Fryer is versatile and can play in different areas. Jason Sheldon will also see time at corner after being a key contributor last year. Andre Odom and Marcus Waddy add depth at the corner position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Tim Oliver will once again handle the punting duties for the Huskies. Oliver has a “big-time” leg and is a great athlete. Matt Friedman will backup Oliver at punter. The placekicking will be handled by Garrett Bloom who has worked hard to improve his game. Bloom tied a school

record last year with three field goals in one game. Pat Kaiser will backup Bloom.

The kick return game for Bloomsburg is wide open right now. Nick Kurtz and has experience handling kickoff returns with Greg McGhee also being looked at for that role. Kurtz also worked on punt return this spring and may see time there as well as Jamar Brittingham.

OVERVIEW

“We have the ability to make post-season play, but it will be tough to even win the PSAC Eastern Division, “ said Hale. “West Chester, East Stroudsburg and Kutztown are all very tough and return lots of key players. If we can get through our regular season schedule, we certainly deserve to be on of the six teams coming out of the Northeast region for the NCAA playoffs.”