The UCAA, he says, is going to be a much tougher conference this season. Hobart was a very young team last year, but still played very well. Union has historically fielded a very strong squad. But, King says, due to a drastic improvement in facilities, “I think the most improved team this year will be St. Lawrence.”

The Engineers’ coaching staff, though, has more to worry about than just the competition. Eight of last year’s defensive starters have graduated, including the entire defensive line, leaving RPI’s most experienced assistant coach, Butch Becker, with his work cut out for him.

Only sophomore Ramses Jimenez played any significant number of downs last year. He will be joined by a collection of young players who, King says, will need to mature quickly. To facilitate this, RPI has added Lou Vega—who played this past season for the Albany Conquest arena football team—to assist Becker in coaching the defensive line.

Co-captain Chris Pierz will anchor the linebackers, most of whom saw some playing time last year. Senior Justin Winter has also moved up from his former position as a defensive back to add experience here.

The secondary remains RPI’s deepest position, and it has a solid core in Jim Sears and Jai Echols, who turned in several big plays in 2001 including four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a sack. Tony Spackman, J.R. Williams, Mike Defilippi, and Brent Hanson should all see a lot of time on the field here.

King has also addressed the team’s biggest weak spot from last year: kickoff and punt return coverage. After allowing several opposing returners to break away for long yards last year, special teams practice has become a priority. The staff has also emphasized the concept of team defense—one man out of place can easily cost the team six points.

Other special teams units remain strong. Juniors Ed Garcia and Matt Verenini return for kickoff and field goal duty, respectively, and punter Chris Comisky is coming off an excellent season where he averaged 37.3 yards per punt and put nearly 30 percent of his kicks inside the opponents’ 20. On the receiving end, Williams, Sears, and Defilippi combined to form one of the best return units in the state.

The best news for the Engineers, though, is that they have taken minimal losses to their record-setting offense of a year ago. Co-captain Kevin Solli will lead a veteran offensive line that helped RPI gain nearly 400 yards per game in total offense in 2001.

There are no obvious vacancies at skill positions: Senior Ryan McGough takes over Tom Wallace’s starting spot at tight end, Joseph Gomez will step up to fill the hole at wide receiver left by the departure of Kevin Siska, and Brian Neglia and Otis Williams will both see time in a backfield that is without Joe Prymas.

The names fans will hear most often, though, are those of the three remaining co-captains: quarterback Dan Cole and the Cochran brothers, Evan at wide receiver and Flynn wherever King and offensive coordinator Brian Surace need him.

“He needs to touch the ball a lot,” says King of the younger Cochran. Flynn, who missed much of last season due to injury, is listed as the team’s backup quarterback, but has been used as both a running back and a wide receiver. His throwing ability also allowed the Engineers to add several option plays to their repetoire.

Meanwhile, Evan Cochran was Cole’s favorite target last year, pulling down 62 balls for 910 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also the team’s best clutch receiver, frequently coming up with receptions in key third- or fourth-down situations.

The team’s success though, will hinge largely on the performance of Cole, who blossomed last year into an excellent quarterback. He set multiple single-game and single-season passing records while pitching only seven interceptions. If that performance continues, RPI will be able to at least keep its games close. If the defense gels as well, the team will once again contend for the conference title.