Fordham University Head Football Coach Dave Clawson will welcome over 70 student-athletes to Murphy Field on Friday, March 28th when the 2003 Spring football practice season begins. Weekday practices begin at 3:30 p.m. while the three Saturday sessions will begin at 1:00 p.m. The spring practice will culminate with the annual Spring Game to be held on Saturday, April 26th at 2:00 p.m. on Murphy Field.
The 2003 Fordham football Rams have picked a tough act to follow. All the 2002 Rams did was win their first ever Patriot League championship and make their first ever trip to the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs. In the playoffs, the Rams advanced to the quarterfinals with a win over Northeastern in the first round.
Being defending champions, Clawson realizes that the Rams will be a marked team for 2003. ??The players never had an offseason like this, where we feel so good about ourselves,?? Clawson said. ??I think the pressure can take you one of two ways. It can hold you down or push you up. We have to make sure we??re not reading our press clippings too much.??
But the thing about the 2003 Rams is that they just might be able to better last year??s team. Clawson, the 2001 and 2002 Patriot League Coach of the Year, has plenty of experience returning for the 2003 campaign. The Rams return nine players who were named to the All-Patriot League team last fall, including senior running back Kirwin Watson, the 2002 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and Third Team All-American.
The Rams will be led by their record-setting offense in 2003, anchored by Watson, senior quarterback Kevin Eakin and senior wide receiver Javarus Dudley. All three have enjoyed record-breaking success in the past and will look for more of the same in 2003.
Not to be overlooked is the Rams tough defense that led the league in scoring defense last year and was second in total defense. Senior defensive back Dan McGrath, a First Team All-Patriot League selection last year, returns to lead the defense.
Clawson will use the spring to fill two starting offensive line positions along with one on the defensive line and another in the defensive secondary.
Prior to the Spring Game on April 26th, the Fordham Gridiron Club will hold their annual banquet on Friday night, April 25th at the New York Athletic Club. Contact Peggy Schenck in the Fordham Development Office at 212-636-6542 for more information.
