Coming off arguably the best season in the history of RPI football, Coach King has announced the captains of the 2004 squad. The six athletes—five seniors and one junior—will have a tough task ahead of them preparing the team for another shot at the NCAA tournament. However, as the saying goes on the football website, “the will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.”
For the fourth consecutive season, a member of the Cochran family will be one of the captains. Last year it was star receiver Flynn, and the two years before it was the older brother Evan. Now it is Grant Cochran’s turn.
As a sophomore (and the sixth Cochran brother to play for RPI football), Grant led the team in unassisted tackles with 55, and was second on the team with 89 tackles overall. Grant will be anchoring down the middle of the defense for the Engineers as a third year varsity linebacker.
Defensive back Brent Hanson will be asked to step up this year with the loss of Mike Defilippi. Hanson was right behind Defilippi with five interceptions last season. He also handled many special teams’ duties for the Engineers, leading the team in punt returns and second in kick returns.
Ramses Jimenez, recently named a pre-season All-American, and Carl Harding, both named to the All-UCAA First Team Defense, will be pushing up front for the Engineers on what looks to be a strong defensive line. Jimenez led the team with nine sacks. Harding racked up 44 tackles and recovered a fumble in the 2003 season.
Dan Stephens has some large shoes to fill this season. He is the top returning receiver this year and will be a favorite target for the new quarterback. Named the Offense’s Most Improved Player last season, Stephens was third on the team in receptions, second in touchdowns, and first in yards per catch.
Last year’s leading rusher, running back Otis Williams, will quite possibly be carrying the load of the Engineers offense on his shoulders this season. With the loss of quarterback Dan Cole, RPI’s all-time leading passer, Williams, a native of Troy, will probably be asked to pick up more of the offensive load. Williams rushed for 1104 yards last year.
The Engineers begin their defense of the NCAA East Region away at Endicott College in Massachusetts. Their first home game will be on September 25 against defending conference champion Hobart on ’86 Field.
