Football

Author: Peter Baumann

After winning its first outright NESCAC championship in 2007, the Middlebury football team enters the 2008 season in an unfamiliar position. Its championship status means that, for the first time in recent memory, the team enters the season at the forefront of any discussion of league favorites. While this role means that the Panthers will not be able to surprise foes like they might have at times last year, captain Andrew Matson '09 feels that the team will embrace the new role.

"Our success last fall puts a target on our back this season, so we won't be sneaking up on anyone, he said. "Every team that we play is going to bring their 'A' game, and I feel confident that we will be ready."

Matson, who finished last year tied for third in the conference with seven touchdowns over the team's eight games, returns to lead what should be a potent offense. Donnie McKillop '11, fresh off a first-year campaign which ended in ECAC Rookie of the Year honors, is back to direct the unit from under center and is looking to build on his 57 percent completion percentage from a year ago, a number that was already good enough for second in the conference.

Despite continuing to run the fast-paced, shotgun offense that they implemented last year, the Panthers will once again lean heavily on their running game. Gary Cooper '11, Ryan Bohling '10 and Andrew Plumley '11 should all receive significant carries, and they will be running behind a quick, athletic offensive line that not only lends itself to Middlebury's zone blocking scheme, but also returns almost intact from the team's NESCAC championship a year ago.

On the defensive side of the ball, Middlebury must find replacements for All-NESCAC nose-tackle Chad Guerrero '08 and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, middle linebacker Eric Woodring '08. While a series of injuries have made finding a replacement for Guerrero difficult, Eric Kamback '10, who started at outside linebacker last year, has had an impressive preseason after moving inside to fill Woodring's shoes.

With strong, physical safeties and good speed rushers on the edge, look for the Middlebury defense to blitz early and often this season, leading to plenty of opportunities for the talented group.

With such a talented returning squad, and mid-season road-trips to Williams and Trinity likely to decide the season, Matson maintains the team is not looking past anyone.

"Our mindset is no different from the past," he said. "All we are focused on is going 1-0, one game at a time."