Word: neils
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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...
Should the Crimson penetrate the backfield, Holy Cross quarterback John O’Neil poses a negligible threat with his legs. He has rushed just 10 times this season for a measly 20 yards, and hesitated to abandon the pocket’s protection in the face of Harvard’s rush in 2003, when he gained eight yards on two carries...
...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...
...since graduated, leaving the task of taming the Harvard defensive backfield to Sean Gruber, who has emerged as the Crusaders’ most reliable receiving option in the wake of his departure. At 6’0, Gruber provides a large target for quarterback John O’Neil, who failed to hit much of anything last season against the Crimson. Struggling mightily in the first half, O’Neil was lifted in favor of his backup, who enjoyed little more success...
...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...