59   Joe Abasciano
	Class: Senior Hometown: Worcester, Mass. High School: Bridgton Academy Height / Weight: 6-1 / 203 Position: DE

Enters the season as the backup to Dan Schneider at one defensive end spot … Has played in 37 career games, earning two starts … Very intense player … Strong special teams performer.

1998:Second-string defensive end … Played in every game on the season, starting twice (against Richmond and Delaware) … Made 19 tackles on the season, including three for loss … Also had two sacks on the year for 13 yards … Made two tackles at Connecticut, including a sack for four yards … Had a pair of tackles against James Madison, with a sack for nine yards.

1997:Saw action in all 11 games at defensive end and on special teams … Posted at least one tackle in every game … Finished with 40 total tackles (14 solo), including two tackles for loss … Recovered three fumbles … Recorded a career-high eight tackles (four solo) and recovered a fumble against New Hampshire … Had six tackles (two solo) and a fumble recovery against Hofstra … Registered five tackles at Maine.

1996:Saw action in all 11 games at defensive end and on special teams … Recorded 15 total tackles (six solo), including three tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup … Had his finest effort of the season in the 43-12 win over Boston University, totaling four tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup … Registered four tackles (two solo) with one tackle for loss in the 41-20 victory over Buffalo.

1995:Redshirted. Before UMass: Played one year of prep ball for Nick Marcella at Bridgton Academy … Ranked second on the team in tackles (70) and sacks (five) … Served as team captain … Earned his team's Most Outstanding Player award … Four-year letterwinner who played outside linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and tight end for Tony Wood at St. John's High School … Led his team in tackles and sacks as a senior … Boston Globe Central Mass. All-Star choice in his senior year … Middlesex News Metro West All-Star pick at offensive tackle as a senior … Two-time All-Conference selection … Team captain during his senior season.

Personal:Full name is Joseph Mauro Abasciano … Son of Mauro Abasciano and Pauline Willam … Grandfather, Frank Abasciano, played football at the University of Alabama … Born October 7, 1976 in Worcester, Mass. … Attended the same prep school as sophomore defensive end Pierre Royer … Majoring in Sociology.

ABASCIANO's Career Statistics