Volume CXXXII, Number 2 September 20, 2002 f

Tough life upon the gridiron
SEAN WALKER
STAFF WRITER

Having to play Williams, Amherst, and Tufts during the 2002 NESCAC season is daunting for any college, as these teams' combined records last season were 21-3. To play the league's best three teams in consecutive weeks is brutal, making even succesful programs apprehensive.

The Bowdoin Football Team is not one of these aforementioned teams with recent success. Last year, they were able to climb out of the cellar of the NESCAC, finishing with a record of 1-7, improving upon their 0-8 last place finish during the 2000 campaign.

How do you make a team believe that they can do what the rest of the NESCAC failed to do and defeat even one team from the three headed monster that resides at the top of the league's standings?

If you are third year Bowdoin Head Coach Dave Caputi, you remain optimistic at all times.

According to Caputi, "If we work hard and do the right things, both mentally and physically, we have the chance to be successful."

Success is not a foreign word to Caputi. Before taking over a Bowdoin program in serious need of rebuilding, he spent twelve years as the offensive coordinator for Williams College, helping lead the Ephs to an 84-9-3 mark during his tenure.

The team heads into the first three grueling weeks of the season with added confidence after defeating Middlebury Panthers 21-7 in a scrimmage last weekend. The Middlebury game was the "first time we've been able to physically match up with an opponent since I got here" said Caputi.

The added physical presence of this years team comes after a strenuous lifting and conditioning program followed by players during the spring and summer.

Of course, all the lifting and conditioning in the world cannot immediately turn around a team in a sport such as football. The Polar Bears are both outnumbered and undersized when compared to most of the teams in the NESCAC, putting them at a disadvantage before the ball is even snapped.

Caputi's coaching staff and players are fully aware of this. "They expect a lot of themselves. They want to improve. For some guys, the lack of past success is a big motivating factor," said Caputi.

The failure of past teams doesn't do much to motivate players who were suiting up for their high school teams during this time last year. On defense alone, Bowdoin will start three first year players.

These first years will be expected to gel quickly with the Polar Bears returning players. Caputi will look to experienced players on defense such as Jarrett Young '05, Chris Wagner '04, Jeff Pike '04, John Flynn '05 and Brandon Casten '04.

Only one senior is expected to start on defense, defensive back Jamie Nichols. With his critical interception last weekend against Middlebury, he has proven himself ready to lead a young defense. "We'll need him to play like that everyday," said Caputi.
The unit perhaps most indicative as to whether or not the Polar Bears will be successful is the offensive line. Shaun Gagnon '05 and Greg Berry '05 are two sophomores who improved significantly during the offseason.

Caputi will rely heavily on Captain Justin Foster '03 to head the offensive line. After undergoing a knee operation prior to last season, Foster endured a painful junior year. This year, however, his knee is showing no ill effects.

While he has set an example for others with his leadership, Foster himself has been impressed with the team's chemistry thus far. "We're a very tight team this year. This is a great group of guys to work with during practice."

Foster and his fellow offensive linemen will be expected to protect quarterback and Captain Justin Hardison '03. A veteran who passed for over 1,000 yards last season, Hardison was a force during the Middlebury scrimmage.

"He made big plays and good decisions in converting four out of four fourth down attempts. He has the ability to make good decisions under pressure," said Caputi.
Hardison will team up with fellow captains Sean Starke '03 and Matt Giffune '03 on offense. Starke, who has converted to the running back position after spending last year as a defensive back, will be getting the majority of the carries for the Polar Bears, along with Rob Patchett '05. "We have the advantage of some nice depth there," said Caputi.

The Polar Bears are hoping that this depth will enable them to control the pace of games. This will be no easy task in a tough league, however, especially during the first crucial weeks, where a Bowdoin win will surprise even the most optimistic Polar Bear fan.
After all, although last year Bowdoin was spared from playing the undefeated Williams team as a result of a rotating schedule, Amherst and Tufts defeated them by a combined score of 69-0.

Expectations still run high in Polar Bear camp after the Middlebury win however, and a win in any three of these games would go a long way to silence the team's critics.
Said Foster, "We have a huge opportunity to knock off some of the big boys."