WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) has announced the preseason polls entering the 2024 season and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth was selected by the conference's coaches to repeat as MASCAC Champions for the second straight season.
The Corsairs earned four first place votes for 76 points to sit on top of this year's poll. In 2023, the squad finished with a 7-1 conference record, finishing in a three-way tie for the top spot and capturing their second-straight MASCAC Regular Season title. UMass Dartmouth advanced to the New England Bowl, concluding their season with a tough loss to Western New England.
In 20222, the Corsairs finished a perfect 8-0 to earn their first-ever MASCAC Regular Season title to advance to the NCAA Division III Football Tournament for the second time in program history – and the first since 2002.
UMass Dartmouth – as a team – led the nation in Passing Yards Allowed in 2023 with just 102.0 surrendered. The Corsairs were second overall in Team Passing Efficiency Defense (82.76) and ranked ninth in Division III in punt returns (16.67). Additionally, the team was ranked 13th in 4th Down Conversion Percentage Defense (.273) and 14th in Red Zone Defense (.593) and Kick Return Defense (14.87).
Among the MASCAC, the Corsairs ranked first in nine different categories. UMass Dartmouth was first in 4th Down Conversion Percentage Defense, as well as First Downs Offense (235), Kick Return Defense, Passing Yards Allowed, Punt Returns, Red Zone Defense, Scoring Defense (15.2), Team Passing Efficiency Defense and Winning Percentage (.818).
Individually, the Corsairs were paced by multiple outstanding efforts, including nationally ranked efforts from 10 different players. Leading the charge was two-time MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year,
Dante Aviles-Santos. The senior quarterback and captain led the conference in several categories, including passing touchdowns (21), passing yards (2,365) and points responsible for (142).
Amongst the nation's best, Aviles-Santos was 14th in passing yards per completion (15.16). An All-Conference First Team and Golden Helmet Weekly Award winner, Aviles-Santos was also a D3football.com All-Region Third Team honoree in 2023.
Also highlighting the offense for the Corsairs is senior wide receiver and captain
Angel Sanchez, who finished the 2023 season ranked 11th in the nation in punt return touchdowns (1). He finished his junior campaign with 854 yards on 43 receptions with nine touchdowns. Also returning for the Corsairs' offense is senior running back
Jalyn Aponte, who produced 616 yards on 123 carries a season ago, adding seven touchdowns.
The defense, which ranked 29th in Division III and second in the MASCAC with 271.0 yards, returns senior linebacker
Jackson Wellman, who paced the squad in 2023 with 86.0 total tackles. He recorded a team-high 44 solo with 42 assisted, adding 4.5 sacks for 31 yards with 9.0 tackles for a loss of 52 yards. Classmate, fellow linebacker and captain
Mike Henricksen is back after a season where he posted 81.0 total tackles, including 28 solo and three sacks for 14 yards. He also had 7.5 tackles for a loss of 23 yards. Rounding out the defensive returners is senior captain and linebacker
Sam Alicea, who had 63.0 total tackles in 2023, including 14 for a loss of 61 yards and a team-high 8.5 sacks for 48 yards.
Grabbing the second spot in the Preseason Poll with 74 points and four first-place votes was Western Connecticut State, while Bridgewater State was third with 68 points and two first-place votes. Framingham State was fourth with 56 points, followed by Plymouth State (49), Mass. Maritime (39), Westfield State (32), VTSU Castleton (27), Worcester State (15) and Fitchburg State (13).
UMass Dartmouth opens their 2024 season at home on Saturday, September 7th, hosting Nichols College at 4pm on Cressy Field.
