Last season, the Red had one of the best aerial attacks it has ever had. Cornell employed a wide-open offense that often featured three or more receivers. Led by quarterback Nathan Ford ’09, the Red led the league in passing yards per game with an offense that was uncharacteristically pass-happy by Ivy standards.

Four of the most prominent members of the Red’s dynamic passing game have graduated since last season’s success. Along with Ford, receivers Jesse Baker ’09, Zac Canty ’09 and Shane Kilcoyne ’09 all graduated in the spring. Baker, Canty and Kilcoyne finished first, second and fourth, respectively, in receptions last season.

With three of the top receivers from last season’s team gone, there is ample opportunity for returning players to earn larger roles in the Red offense. Seniors Bryan Walters, Horatio Blackman and Stephen Liuzza will see the bulk of the action at receiver this season. Walters and Blackman will start on the edges and look to build upon strong 2008 seasons. Liuzza, who is possibly the team’s most versatile player, will primarily work out of the slot this season.

A season after finishing in the top-3 for Cornell in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns receptions, Walters will look to establish himself as senior quarterback Ben Ganter’s top target. He sees himself and Blackman forming one of the better receiving duos in the conference.

“[Blackman] and I are definitely excited to get out there and showcase what we can do,” he said.

Blackman believes that the team will continue to rely heavily on three- and four-receiver formations. Complementing Walters, Blackman and Liuzza, sophomore Shane Savage is poised to wreak havoc on opposing defenses after missing last season with an injury. He performed well in the Spring Game and should see plenty of action this season.

“[Savage is] a good athlete,” Blackman said. “[He] catches the ball well and runs really well.”

“Shane Savage is the guy you really need to keep an eye on,” said head coach Jim Knowles ’87.

Unlike last season, when the Red had so many talented receivers that any given receiver could regularly take a break without hurting the team, conditioning will be a big factor for this season’s group of pass-catchers. Conditioning will be especially important for Walters as he again attempts to handle the responsibility of returning kicks and punts as well as being a primary playmaker on offense.

“I like having the opportunity to set up the offense with a big play and get them good field position,” Walters said of his return duties. “It sets the tone for the next drive.”

Knowles stated that despite the team’s losses to graduation, the Red’s receiving corps will again be amongst the best in the Ivy League.

“We see our skill players as being as good as anybody in the league,” Knowles said. “We view ourselves as having an offense that can throw the ball and catch the ball and make plays.”