2013 Record: 0-8
Number of Returning Starters: 14 (7 offense, 5 defense, 2 specialists)
Offensive Overview:
New head coach Dave Murray inherits a Hamilton offense that showed very few positives in 2013. The Continentals were second-t0-last in the NESCAC in points per game and yards per game, eighth in passing yards per game and seventh in rushing yards per game. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s top two offensive threats from last year are gone. Running back James Stannell was lost to graduation, and receiver Joe Jensen ’15 has decided to focus on his track and baseball careers. The area with the most experience will be the Hamilton offensive line, where as many as 10 players have played in the past and are battling for starting jobs. New coordinator Rich Puccio, a former player of Murray’s and a colleague for 10 years, will have his work cut out from him as he transitions the offense to a multiple-I system.
Defensive Overview:
Hamilton has work to do on defense as well, as the Continentals allowed the most yards per play of any team in the NESCAC in 2013, and even though the offense was second in the league in time of possession, opponents still scored 34.0 points per game. Murray will be more hands-on with the defensive unit and will be aided by his assistant at his last coaching stop, Josh Miller. Defensive tackle Michael De Percin ’15 is the cornerstone of the defense, and Zach Klein ’15 is back to aid his classmate at defensive end. Safety Alex Mitko ’16 and middle linebacker John Phelan ’16 are the defense’s biggest playmakers, but big plays were a rarity for the Hamilton defense last season. The Continentals had just four interceptions and six sacks in 2013, though they managed seven fumble recoveries, tied with Wesleyan for the second-most in the NESCAC. A few more lucky breaks resulting in turnovers and better pressure on the opposing QB could make all the difference for this defense.
Three Big Questions
1. Is QB Chase Rosenberg ’17 ready?
Rosenberg started most of 2013 over his elder, Colin Pastorella ’16, though he never showed a consistent level of high quality play. In six games where he had more than 12 pass attempts, Rosenberg threw two interceptions in each. His best stretch came during the middle of the season when he managed completion percentages of better than 62 percent in three straight contests. Rosenberg also used his legs quite a bit in 2013, even running for 90 yards in the season finale, but he will likely be held more in the pocket in 2014, given Murray’s offensive scheme. Rosenberg will have to fight off Pastorella and two athletic freshmen in order to maintain his job.
2. Who steps in at running back?
Expect the Continentals’ pass/run ratio to lean a bit more towards the latter in 2014, meaning that someone will have to pick up where Stannell left off. Rico Gonzalez ’16 is the top returning back, having rushed 65 times last season, third to Stannell and Rosenberg. Lashawn Russell-Ware ’17 brings speed and quickness to the backfield, but injury limited him to one game in 2013. The dark horse for the Continentals is converted-safety Jeffrey Hopsicker ’16. The high school quarterback had 23 tackles at safety for Hamilton last season, but Murray believes a move back to the offensive side of the ball will be good for the junior, and the Hamilton offense.
3. Can Murray revamp the defense?
There’s not a ton of starting experience on the defensive side of the ball. In addition to those listed above, cornerback Jimmy Giattino ’17 saw lots of time in 2013 and led the team in pass breakups. Others saw the field in every game, but there are still holes to fill. It’s going to take an attitude change in order for this defense to be effective.
Team MVP: Chase Rosenberg. It better be if Hamilton hopes to turn the corner this year. A big improvement from the quarterback position, and in particular better ball security, will make all the difference for the Continentals. The prediction here is that Rosenberg makes strides in his second season.
Best Tweet of the offseason: This one goes to QB/DJ/producer Chase Rosenberg.
GR808’S End Of Summer Trap Mix by GR808’S http://t.co/9QgshsOcuI on #SoundCloud
— Chase Rosenberg (@Race_Chosenberg) August 2, 2014
Hopefully Coach Murray can get the Continentals moving in the right direction starting this season.