ITHACA, N.Y. -- It's time to take an in-depth look at the 2010 Big Red football team position group by position group. Assistant coach Pete DeStefano, the longest-tenured assistant coach int he Ivy League, has a talented group of defensive ends looking to creat havoc in the offensive backfield this season.
Practice Photo Gallery Day 1 I Day 2 I Day 3 I Day 4 I Day 5 I Day 7 I Aug. 31 I Sept. 4
Big Red 101 - Special Teams I Defensive Tackles I Tight Ends I Linebackers I Safeties I Quarterbacks I Running Backs I Defensive Ends
With the move to a more traditional 4-3 defensive front, along with the infusion of more experience and size in the returners and new talent in the wings, the defensive line should be much more formidable than a season ago when the Big Red surrendered just under 200 yards per game on the ground.
The outside is more unsettled with only two players possessing varsity experience. Junior
Mike Spooner (6-1, 237) and sophomore
Hugh Stewart (6-5, 263) lead the returners.
After moving from linebacker to defensive end, Spooner will be a veteran on the defensive line as a junior in 2010. He made 18 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks, while recovering a pair of fumbles as a sophomore in 2009. Spooner was outstanding in his final two games, breaking through with eight tackles, including his 2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks with a fumble recovery against Columbia. He closed out the year with six tackles at Penn. Spooner also recovered a fumble at Dartmouth.
Stewart saw action in nine contests with three starts at defensive end as a freshman a year ago. Now, with an additional 15 pounds of strength and a spring in the defensive schemes, he has a chance to play an even bigger role. Stewart made 13 tackles, posted a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Stewart had three tackles and forced a fumble against Columbia and also had three stops at Colgate. His strength and quickness will make him a regular on the defensive line in the years to come.
Senior
Mark Key (6-5, 252) and sophomores
Tom McHugh (6-3, 234) and
Matt Crowder (6-4, 230) have played key roles at practice and on the junior varsity, and this season will attempt to crack the rotation. Key and Crowder are both converted tight ends, while McHugh saw time on the two-deep as a rookie but did not earn any time as a freshman. All three have potential to become pass rushers in the 4-3.
A group of four freshmen also have an opportunity to excel and possibly earn playing time. The group averages 6-6.5 and 232 pounds.
Justin Harris (6-6, 227), Andrew Marchand (6-8, 235),
Zak Sanderson (6-5, 224) and
Andrew Weber (6-7, 240) collectively are among the most talented groups of defensive ends to enroll at Cornell in years. How fast they adjust to the defensive schemes and add strength will determine how quickly they see the field.
