MANCHESTER, NH (Nov. 3) --- The old saying that looks can be deceiving may be no more true for the Saint Anselm College football team Saturday afternoon than when they take on a much-better-than-their record Stonehill College team at Chieftain Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 Noon.

The Hawks and Chieftains have each been playing much better football of late. Saint Anselm is riding high after registering it's third straight victory last weekend over Division I-AA Siena College. The Hawks have warmed up what looked like what could be a very chilly Autumn, going 4-1 over their last five games after starting 0-3 on the year.

The Stonehill of late, meanwhile, has hardly looked like the Chieftains of last year or the early part of this season. After an 0-10 campaign last year and a 0-5 start to 2000, Stonehill has rallied to win two of their last three including an eye raising 45-13 thumping of Bryant College last week and now stand 2-6 overall.
Head Coach Geoff Harlan is not all that surprised at the sudden surge of the Chieftain program.

"Stonehill is the youngest team in the league but they have executed their option attack with great confidence and maturity," said Harlan. "They've played much better of late and they have some talented players."

Harlan also knows that if his Hawks want to keep the momentum and accomplish their goal of a winning season, Saturday's game will set the tone.

Harlan also knows that the Hawks defense - a key to their last three wins - will have to contain Stonehill's potent rushing offense, led by the top tailback in the conference, Tyrone Jefferson.

Jefferson leads the Chieftains and the entire league in rushing with 994 yards (124.3 yards per game) along with six scores. He stands 16th among Division II rushers this week.

Stonehill also has a talented scrambler in junior quarterback Jim O'Keefe. Stonehill, like many of Saint Anselm's opponents this season, does not pass often and this week is no different. O'Keefe is 33 of 79 this season with four touchdown throws against seven interceptions. But he makes up for that on the ground. In fact, O'Keefe amassed 136 yards on the ground on 18 carries last week. O'Keefe and Jefferson were the main reasons the Chieftains piled up an incredible 406 yards against the Bulldogs.

O'Keefe has amassed 1,097 total yards of offense (156 yards per game) this season with 606 coming through the air and has thrown for four touchdowns. His rushing ability has accounted for seven other touchdowns.

With O'Keefe and Jefferson running wild, it's no surprise Stonehill owns the sixth ranked rushing offense in the nation this week.

"Jefferson is a big, very strong back who can break through arm tackles and punish would-be defenders," Harlan said. "With their option offense, they distribute the ball very effectively among Jefferson, O'Keefe and their half backs. We'll need to be ready for that."

Rob Olivar leads the Chieftains with eight receptions for 249 yards and two touchdowns, while Chad Dwyer has added seven catches for 151 yards and a score.
Saint Anselm will have to continue to counter with their own solid rushing game if they hope to keep up. Siena held Hawks junior running back John Turner to just 50 yards last week, the first time in five games Turner was held to under 100 yards on the ground. Turner owns 680 yards (85 per game) on the ground this year with seven scores. The Hawks were able to prevail however thanks to some timely defense and took advantage of a late Saints turnover.

This week, Harlan knows that his offense must be ready to give his defense a lift.

Junior quarterback Keith Comeau has been spreading the offense very evenly across the field. Over the last four games, Comeau has hit an average of eight different receivers which has helped spread the defense.

Comeau and the offense will have to be well prepared for an improving Stonehill defense. Sophomore Darren Shaughnessy leads the Chieftains defense and the league with 84 tackles, including 62 solo (10.5 tacklers per game) with 16 for losses and six sacks.

Harlan's keys to victory have not changed much from the last five weeks which has led to a 4-1 record - game control and field position as well as avoiding giving up early points.

"We must control the clock," said Harlan. "We must also come out stronger in the first half than we have in recent weeks. Field position and protecting the football will play key roles again this week. We must establish a solid attack of our own to put ourselves in position to win."

Comeau is now 137-269 on the season and brings a Hawks passing offense ranked third in the league. Top targets remain Jeff Farragher with 24 receptions for 206 yards and three scores.
Defensively, local product Shaun St. Onge of Wolfeboro remains the Hawks top tackler with 55 overall including 22 solo. Geoff Raby, Lance Flagg and Matt Savino have also remained defensive anchors, combining for 16 sacks this season.
"We must show discipline against this offense and disrupt their timing," said Harlan. "Stonehill is coming off a big win last week and they'll be motivated since we defeated them last season. I'm expecting another exciting, down to the wire game."