Injuries gave football team a losing season
After one winning its first game, team went on an eight-game losing streak
With a loss on Saturday at Endicott College, the MIT football program ends its season at 1-8. After a promising win to open the season, the Engineers were unable to improve on their win total from last year.
Their poor record, however, is not necessarily reflective of the team’s overall performance throughout the year. Injuries were a constant obstacle to the team’s success. Billy E. Boetcher ’11 and Mike P. Fitzgerald ’10, two of the three captains, and pre-season all-American linebacker Peter A. Gilliland ’12 all missed time with injuries. Seven of 22 starters were injured at some point during the season, and many more played through lesser injuries at below full health.
Despite the losing season, the Engineers show promise for upcoming seasons. Many freshmen received significant playing time, including several starters. “The team shows a lot of promise,” said Academic all-District and New England Football Conference (NEFC) top-tackler Patrick Jupe ’12. “I am really excited to see what next year brings when everyone gets healthy again, the young guys have another year under their belt, and Coach [Martinovich] gets another great recruiting class.”
The football program has already brought in their biggest class in years, with 25 new players, and will try to sustain and grow that number in the coming years.
The Engineers have also already begun to rack up post-season honors, as Brian P. Doyle ’11, William R. Vega-Brown ’11, and Jupe have been named to the 2010 ESPN: The Magazine District One College Division Academic All-District team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. In addition, Jacob N. Laux ’14, Marcel B. Sanchez ‘12, and John C. Wenzel ’14 were named to the NEFC Honor Roll.