Led the Atlantic 10 in interceptions with six in 2003, which was fourth in the nation.
General: Returns from medical redshirt (abdominal surgery) season with coaching staff hoping he will recapture his preseason All-American form of years ago ... He shook the rust off in the spring and hopes to stay healthy this fall ... One of the top cover men in the Atlantic 10 ... Also will see time returning punts ... Switched from No. 1 to No. 2 this season for a "fresh start."
As A Senior In 2004: Medically redshirted the season after recovering from off-season abdominal surgery ... Did play against Colgate (9/11) and Richmond (9/18) making two tackles before redshirting remainder of season ... Named one of four captains along with Rob Kane, Jason Peebler, and Serge Tikum ... Was a Preseason All-American candidate and a Preseason Second-Team All-Atlantic 10 selection ... Returning starter at one cornerback spot ... One of the top cover men in the Atlantic 10 Conference ... Was also slated to see time as a punt returner.
As A Junior In 2003: Game-By-Game Statistics
One of UMass' starting cornerbacks ... Also one of the team's top punt returners ... Saw action in 10 games on the season, starting every time ... Missed the final three games of the regular season due to injury ... Totaled 53 tackles, including 43 solo stops and five tackles for loss ... Led the team and the Atlantic 10 Conference with six interceptions, a mark which placed him fourth in the nation ... Also totaled five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a sack and a fumble recovery ... Recorded two interceptions at Kansas State, in addition to totaling seven tackles ... Totaled seven tackles in the victory at William & Mary, including three tackles for loss, to earn Dinn Brothers UMass Athlete of the Week honors ... Also had a pass breakup and a key interception in the end zone with less than five minutes remaining at William & Mary ... Had five tackles (four solo) and an interception in the win over Northeastern, while also returning three punts for 38 yards ... Recorded seven tackles including six solo stops, and broke up two passes in the victory at Villanova ... Totaled six tackles, including five solo stops, at Colgate ... Had four tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in the win over Hofstra ... Totaled four tackles and a pass breakup in the victory over New Hampshire, while returning three punts for 43 yards ... Had three tackles and a forced fumble in the win over James Madison ... Returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in the victory at Maine, in addition to making two tackles and bringing back four punts for 31 yards ... Had eight total tackles in the season opener against Central Connecticut State, with an interception, a sack and two tackles for loss ... Also returned three punts for 17 yards against the Blue Devils ... Named preseason second team All-Atlantic 10 Conference.
As A Sophomore In 2002: Game-By-Game Statistics
One of UMass' most versatile players in the secondary ... Saw action at both cornerback and safety ... Also a key special teams player for the Minutemen ... Played in 12 games on the season, starting three times ... Totaled 39 tackles on the season, including 31 solo stops ... Tied for the team lead with four interceptions, which he returned for 86 yards ... Also had seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a blocked punt and a tackle for loss ... Earned his first career start at cornerback against James Madison, and totaled seven tackles with an interception and two pass breakups ... Had five total tackles in the victory over Villanova, with a tackle for loss, an interception to set up a touchdown and a blocked punt ... Totaled five tackles and an interception at North Carolina State ... Recorded three tackles in the win over Delaware, with an interception and two pass breakups ... Made three tackles and forced two fumbles in the victory at Richmond ... Had four tackles in the win at Rhode Island ... Recorded two tackles in a starting role against Hofstra ... Made two tackles and broke up two passes at New Hampshire ... Totaled two tackles and a pass breakup in the victory over Maine ... Had a pair of tackles against AIC ... Recorded four total tackles against Central Connecticut.
As A Freshman In 2001: Played in eight games on the year, with most of his action coming on special teams ... Also saw time as a backup cornerback in games against James Madison, Villanova and Maine ... Totaled four tackles on the season ... Made a pair of solo tackles at Villanova ... Also recorded single tackles against Northeastern and James Madison.
Before UMass: Played one season for coach Rick Marcella at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, Maine ... Prior to that, played four years for coach Tom Loughlin at Kingston High School ... Rushed for 1,270 yards and 17 touchdowns as a tailback during his senior year ... Named All-Conference and All-Section IX ... Served as team captain as a senior, while also earning team MVP honors ... Totaled 2,200 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns during his high school career.
Personal: Full name is Stephen J. Costello ... Born October 3, 1981, in Kingston, N.Y. ... Son of Sonya McDole ... Brother of Tyra and Mercedes ... Majoring in Sociology.
Costello's Defensive Statistics
CAREER STATISTICS (Defense)
Year GP UT AT TT Sacks TFL Int PBU
2001 8/0 3 1 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0
2002 12/3 31 8 39 0-0 1-2 4-86 7
2003 10/10 43 10 53 1-7 5-21 6-24 5
2004 2/0 1 1 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0
2005 9/8 14 5 19 0-0 1.5-2 2-0 4
Totals 41/21 92 25 117 1-7 7.5-25 12-110 16
CAREER STATISTICS (Punt Returns)
Year GP No. Yds. Avg. TD Lg.
2002 12/3 1 11 11.0 0 11
2003 10/10 18 152 8.4 0 27
2005 9/8 21 75 3.6 0 16
Totals 41/21 40 238 6.0 0 27
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 8 vs. Central Connecticut (9/6/03)
Sacks: 1 vs. Central Connecticut (9/6/03)
Interceptions: 2 at Kansas State (9/13/03)
