MASSACHUSETTS PICKED TO REPEAT AS CAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS IN 2007
BALTIMORE, Md. (July 25, 2007) - Massachusetts, which returns 12 starters off last year’s squad that advanced to the NCAA FCS National Championship game, is picked to capture the inaugural CAA Football Championship in 2007 according to a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches and selected media. Along with the Minutemen, New Hampshire’s senior quarterback Ricky Santos and James Madison’s senior safety Tony LeZotte were each selected as Preseason All-CAA Football Players of the Year. The results of the poll, along with the 2007 All-CAA Football Preseason squad, was announced during Wednesday’s CAA Football Media Day at the ESPNZone in Baltimore, Md.
The Minutemen, who earned a record 20 All-Conference honors in 2006, placed a total of seven on the Preseason All-Conference squad this season. Offensive linemen Matt Austin and Nick Diana, join tight end Brad Listorti to represent UMass on the offensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman David Burris, as well as Charles Walker and preseason All-American Jason Hatchell, both linebackers, represent UMass in the defensive front. Cornerback Sean Smalls is the seventh Minuteman selected to the preseason squad.
New Hampshire earned eight first-place votes to finish second in the preseason poll’s North Division. Santos, the reigning Walter Payton Award Winner, is one of two Wildcats on the preseason squad. Joining the CAA Football Preseason Offensive Player of the Year on the preseason defensive squad is safety Jeff Pammer.
Maine, selected third among the North Division, placed two on the preseason squad including offensive lineman Shawn Demaray and defensive lineman Bruno Dorismond. Northeastern came in fourth in the North Division voting, and was followed by Hofstra and Rhode Island, respectively. The Pride, under second-year head coach Dave Cohen, had two among the preseason honorees including linebacker Gian Villante and Preseason All-American kicker Rob Zarrilli. The Rams’ fullback Joe Casey and punter Bryan Giannecchini were also selected as preseason honorees.
James Madison edged out Delaware by earning just one more first-place vote for the South Division crown. The Dukes’ running back Eugene Holloman and wide receiver L.C. Baker were also part of the preseason offensive squad. Along with LeZotte on the defensive side of the ball, was defensive lineman John Baranowsky. Baker was the only double preseason squad honoree by earning kick returner honors as well.
Delaware, which returns 10 of its 11 starters on offense this season, placed three on the preseason offensive squad including running back Omar Cuff, wide receiver Aaron Love and offensive lineman Mike Byrne. Towson, which picked up a first-place vote in the South, was picked to finish third in the division and garnered a preseason all-conference honoree in linebacker Brian Bradford. Richmond came in fourth in the South Division voting, and had four preseason all-conference team members. Wide receiver Arman Shields and offensive lineman Tim Silver represented the Spiders on offense, while defensive lineman Sherman Logan and cornerback David Horton were defensive honorees.
Villanova and William and Mary rounded out the preseason voting as each were picked to finish fifth and sixth, respectively, in the division.
The inaugural season of CAA Football begins Thursday, Aug. 30, when rivals Delaware and William & Mary face off at Walter J. Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Va. Kickoff between the Blue Hens and Tribe is slated for 7:30 p.m., and will televised by CN8.