Word: neils
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...defense. The unit that was supposed to miss its leader and anchor, Dante Balestracci ’04, looked perfectly in-sync with junior linebacker Matt Thomas and Everett flying all over the field. The linebacker duo combined for nine tackles and put constant pressure on O’Neil, who finished the day with only 70 yards in the air. The tandem twice forced the Crusaders’ quarterback to throw the ball before he wanted, and both times the ball ended up in the hands of Crimson senior safety Ricky Williamson...
...Holy Cross’ next possession, Thomas charged his way through the backfield to sack quarterback John O’Neil for a six-yard loss. It was the first of many times Thomas would harass the beleaguered signal caller and send him tumbling to the turf—or into an ill-advised toss, like the one a couple of plays later when Thomas scrambled up from the ground to hit O’Neil as he threw, launching the ball sky-high and straight into Williamson’s waiting arms for the first of his two interceptions...
...interception was, according to Williamson, a result of the relentless pressure on O’Neil by the defense...
...Neil hasn’t encountered any similar roadblocks this season, particularly when winging the ball in Gruber’s direction. After connecting three times for 80 yards in the season opener against Duquesne, O’Neil completed nine passes to Gruber for 159 yards and two scores against San Diego, all new personal bests for the up-and-coming-wide receiver...
...beyond Gruber, the Crusaders fail to muster much of a downfield threat. Confesor’s replacement, Bob Turkovich, has been largely ineffective this season, forcing O’Neil to look for additional passing options closer to the line of scrimmage. So far, that has meant more touches for running back Steve Silva, who averages over 100 yards of total offense per game thanks to two outings with at least 40 yards receiving. His able hands have provided a much-needed safety outlet for O’Neil—one which might be especially necessary this weekend when...