Brown duo tries to repeat success

Brown Daily Herald PROVIDENCE, R.I. (U-WIRE) --Last season was one of the most successful in recent history for Brown's football team, as it was technically only two plays away from winning its first Ivy League title since 1976. Few doubt this level of achievement can be duplicated in 1997, which is no small feat considering the team lost its all-time leading passer (Jason McCullough), all-time leading rusher (Marquis Jessie) and emotional core (Brendan Finneran). The high hopes placed on Brown football this year are a testament to the faith that Bruins fans have in linebacker Joe Karcutskie and offensive lineman Dan McClutchy. Karcutskie, a four-year starter, will be looked upon to anchor a linebacking corps which is probably the deepest and most experienced unit on this year's team. An honorable mention All-American and second team All-Ivy selection in 1996 after setting a Brown record for tackles in a single season with 137, Karcutskie maintains that individual statistics are unimportant to him when compared with team goals. "I don't think about things like individual goals and my own statistics," Karcutskie said. "I just want to help my team win the Ivy League title this year. If that happens, it will likely mean that I've had a pretty good year and everything else would take care of itself." Karcutskie recognizes the importance of the play of his defense this season, being that the offense features a new quarterback and running back who will likely have to feel their way through a couple of games before becoming completely comfortable with their surroundings. "Without question, the defense will set the tone for the first couple of games at least," Karcutskie said. "We've got most of our guys [eight of 11 starters from 1996] back, and if we hope to win the Ivy title this year, it's important for us to do well early in the season." Like Karcutskie, McClutchy will be called upon to be the leader of an experienced unit. The offensive line returns four starters from last season, which means that this group will be largely responsible for the fate of the offense in 1997, especially until quarterback James Perry and running backs Malik Robinson and Azibo Smith prove their mettle on the field. The 6'4", 285 pound tackle who also earned second team All-Ivy honors last season clearly is not daunted by this challenge. "The offensive line is in much better shape than it was last year at this time," McClutchy said. "Everyone's experienced up here except for [guard Peter] Calabrese, who seems to be getting better every practice. "Right now, we don't care who we block for. We know that the fate of the offense is in our hands, and we're all pretty excited about that." McClutchy, a native of West Hartford, Conn., relishes his role as one of the voices of experience on the Bruins squad. There are surely many others who can learn from his experience as a Brown football player. "I just try to lead by example," McClutchy said. "As a senior, I've played for a long time. What I lack in ability, I make up for in experience. I just tell the younger kids what coach [Mark] Whipple used to tell me -- just take things one play at a time." Given the success that Karcutskie and McClutchy have had during their Brown careers, many consider both players to be legitimate NFL prospects. Why not? John Woodring, whose single season record for tackles was broken by Karcutskie last season, was drafted by the New York Jets and played five years for them (1981-85). McClutchy certainly has the size to play in a league which relishes little more than a big and beefy body. Nevertheless, both players have put the kaibash on all of this jabber. "I almost never think about [getting drafted]," Karcutskie said. "I know it's a longshot being, that I'm undersized for the NFL. If it happens -- great. If not, that's great as well."