Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of 10 features that highlight a group or position of the 2010 Mercyhurst College football team.
Defensive Line
Highlighting the defensive line is senior
Fred Hale, an All-PSAC West First Team selection a year ago. He has played in every game for the past three seasons, providing the Lakers with a dominant force from his spot at defensive end. Last season Hale ranked among league leaders for both tackles for loss (6th – 13) and sacks (8th – 5.5) while finishing seventh on the team with 41 total tackles. He is expected to be the anchor on the line again while providing leadership with his outstanding work ethic and great example of overall character. He started all 11 games last season and had a tackle in every game but one. The Mentor, Ohio native set a new personal best with six stops on two occasions (vs Cheyney 9/5 and vs Edinboro 10/24) while recording the team single-game season highs in tackles for loss (4) and sacks (2) against Gannon.
In reserve is
Andrew Bukta, a very technically sound player who lacks experience because of injuries throughout his career.
At nose guard, senior
Alex Trouten is the projected starter for the first time in his career with
Mercyhurst. An excellent run blocker, Trouten transferred from Ohio University in 2008 then split time with Chris Clegg a season ago. With Clegg no longer on the roster, Trouten is expected to take on more responsibility on the line, especially with an inexperienced group behind him on the depth chart. A year ago he played in all 11 games for the Lakers, starting one, against Wayne State in the season opener. He finished the season ranked 14th on the team in total tackles with 19 and recorded a season-high four stops against Wayne State, including 0.5 tackles for loss.
Looking to gain experience behind Trouten is
Serge Augustin, a red-shirt sophomore who saw action in six games a season ago on both offense and defense. Augustin needs to stay healthy to help make an impact with his strong pass rushing skills. Freshmen
Ben Woolston, Donald Williams III and
Anthony Arcell also figure into the mix.
Junior
Dan Kruper rounds out the projected starters on the defensive line. Kruper started six games
last season in place of Stew Myers who suffered a season-ending injury and finished fifth on the team with 43 tackles. He brings great athleticism to the line and will be mentored by Hale and Trouten to develop his leadership skills. Kruper Saw had a breakout season in which he also ranked third in tackles for loss (9- -30 yards) and sacks (3- -18 yards). A dominant player on the defensive line, he was able to blow past opponents on the line and lead the team in quarterback hurries. Kruper had at least two tackles in every contest, including a personal-best seven stops on two occasions (vs Edinboro on 10/14 and at West Chester on 11/7) while adding a tackle for loss in every game except three.
Sophomore
Brad Weisenseel is expected to also get into the rotation despite missing the spring with an injury.