Reigning Conference champs ready to hit the field this Saturday

After a historic season last year, the Muhlenberg Football Team is excited for the season to start this Sat. against the Wilkes Colonels. Last season, the Mules compiled a record of 11-1 including the first ever undefeated regular season and outright Centennial Conference title in school history. The Mules finished the season ranked #8 in the country, according to D3football.com, and made it to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. However, the team knows that is all in the past and this season the Mules won't be able to sneak up on anyone. "We know we've got a bulls eye on our chest this season," senior captain Dave Mazzola stated. "We are just going to take it one game at a time." If winning the Conference Championship wasn't enough, the Mules have been ranked in 4 pre-season polls: Lindy's #22, Sporting News #7, D3football.com #8, and USA Today Sports Weekly #9. Also, Muhlenberg was picked to take home the Conference title again by the Centennial Conference pre-season poll.

The Mules' offense is ready to rock come Sat. as they return 10 of 11 starters, including pre-season All American Mike "Tiny" Nolan. Nolan '09, the starting center and one of four captains on the squad this year, was picked as a pre-season All American by Sporting News and D3football.com. "I felt a little pressure in the beginning of camp," Nolan commented about the pre-season accolades. "But once I got started it was business as usual."

Last season Nolan anchored the Mules offensive line and received 1st Team All-Conference for the second straight year. Taking the snaps from Nolan will be 3rd year starter and captain Eric Santigato. Santigato had a breakthrough year last season, completing 63% of his pass attempts, connecting for 15 touchdowns, and throwing only 5 interceptions. He also showed he was quick on his feet running for 6 touchdowns. Senior running back John DeLuca had an unbelievable season running the ball last year. DeLuca ran for 1,533 yards on 329 carries and scored 17 touchdowns, 16 rushing and 1 receiving. These stats gave DeLuca 1st Team All-Centennial Conference honors.

Junior wide receiver Phil Cresta will be the main target this season after the departure of All American tight end Matt Johnson. Cresta had 43 receptions for 739 yards last season and 5 touchdowns. Not only is Cresta the main target on the football field, but he also had an incredible baseball season last year as he compiled a record of 8-3 on the hill, earning him 2nd Team All-Centennial Conference honors in the spring.

The defense was the anchor of the team last season as they held opponents to an average of 11.2 points per game, which was 4th best in the nation. Also, the Mules only allowed 211.8 yards per game, which was 3rd best in the nation. However, there will be some holes to fill as they lost 4 All-Conference players in Chris Musselman, Dustin Good, Tom Tarsitano, and Chris Swensen. "We lost a lot of size but we have more speed now and that will allow us to use different blitzing schemes than last year," said free safety Mazzola.

Senior Brandon Doyle and junior Cameron Ahouse will make it very tough for any team to complete a pass against the Mules' secondary. Doyle was 1st Team All-Centennial Conference last year and Ahouse was Honorable Mention All-Conference. Also in the secondary is Mazzola. Mazzola had a great season last fall as he had 4 interceptions and 30 tackles, which earned him 2nd Team All-Conference.

Senior captain Matt Rathbun gave running backs nightmares last year as he led the team with 72 tackles, including 11 tackles for losses. The Mules added some speed to their linebacking core with sophomore Pat McDonough, a transfer from VMI, a Division 1 FCS program. Leading the Mules defensive line this season will be senior Billy Moates. Moates earned 2nd Team All-Conference last season with 34 tackles including 4 sacks.

The Mules will start the season this Sat. night at 7 p.m. at Scotty Wood Stadium against Wilkes. The Colonels started last season ranked #15 in the country and should prove to be a good test for the Mules. "You always want to play a tough out-of-Conference schedule," said senior quarterback Jim Jeffers. "To be the best, you must beat the best.