On Zardas: Returning starting fullback ... Will be expected to play a key role if he can stay healthy ... Can be a real quality back according to Coach Morris ... A legit player who can play both fullback and tailback ... Can run and catch the ball as well as block ... Has been a solid contributor on special teams ... Has been injury-plagued in time at UMass, but coaching staff is very positive about his future as a weapon on offense ... Worked to increase strength and size since coming to college.

As a redshirt senior in 2009: Game-by-Game Statistics
• Starting fullback for second year in row. Also plays tailback. Recovered from serious knee injuries twice in career at UMass.
• Played in all 11 games with 43 carries for 164 yards with three TDs along with seven catches for 46 yards and a TD.
• Key blocker all season as UMass has had seven games with a 100-yard rusher (five by Tony Nelson and two by Jonathan Hernandez).
• In college finale, scored touchdown on a 1-yard rush at Hofstra (11/21).
• On Senior Day, ran for 23 yards vs. James Madison (11/14).
• Season-best 51 rushing yards on 10 carries in win over vs. Northeastern (11/7).
• Saw most time of the season carrying the ball with career-best 11 totes for 37 yards and three catches for career-best 23 yards at #1 Richmond (10/24).
• Scored two rushing touchdowns (3, 4 yards) gaining 29 yards vs. Stony Brook (9/26).
• Scored on a 4-yard touchdown reception vs. Rhode Island (9/19), as he set a career-high with three catches.
• Carried twice for seven yards at Kansas State (9/5).

As a redshirt junior in 2008: Played and started in all 12 games, rushing for 138 total yards and four touchdowns ... Caught seven total passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns ... Six total touchdowns, tied for third on the team in TDs ... Also a huge blocker for tailback Tony Nelson, who has six 100-yard games ... Had five carries for 45 yards and two catches for five yards and a receiving touchdown against Hofstra (11/22) ... Scored on a 1-yard TD run at #13 New Hampshire (11/15), gained 22 yards on three carries ... Three-yard TD rush vs. Maine (11/8) for fourth score of year ... Scored first receiving TD of year on a 2-yard catch at Rhode Island (11/1) ... Saw must time running the ball with 53 yards on eight carries vs. Bryant (10/25) ... First-career multi-touchdown game with pair of short rushes for scores in win at Northeastern (10/11). Also had a nine-yard catch ... Two catches for nine yards at James Madison (9/13).

As a redshirt sophomore in 2007: Shared Offensive Most Improved Vic Fusia Award with Rasheed Rancher ... Played in 11 games as a special teams demon ... Saw time in backfield with 53 yards ... also had six catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns ... Carried for first three times in NCAA First Round win over Fordham (11/24) ... Gained 53 yards including career-long 47-yard run ... Hauled in a 33-yard touchdown reception as well ... Suffered injured knee on long run and missed NCAA Quarterfinal vs. Southern Illinois (12/1) ... Caught a one-yard pass at William & Mary (10/27) ... Eight-yard grab against Northeastern (10/20) ... First-career touchdown came on two-yard catch in win at Maine (9/22) ... First-career catch came against Towson (9/15) ... Had five tackles on special teams during the season ... One stop each against Fordham, New Hampshire (11/10), William & Mary (10/27), Boston College (9/29) and Colgate (9/8).

As a redshirt freshman in 2006: Did not see any game action.

As a freshman in 2005: Redshirt season ... Suffered a shoulder injury in fall camp and did not play.

Before UMass: Starter at running back at St. John's Prep for Jim O'Leary in Danvers, Mass. ... named to Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic teams as a senior ... was a Catholic League All-Star three times ... ran for more than 4,000 career yards and scored 48 career touchdowns ... led Division I in touchdowns as a junior and senior ... named to the Lynn Item All-Star team twice ... an EMass All-Star ... invited to play at the Agganis and Shriners All-Star games as a senior.

Personal: Christopher Jared Zardas ... Born December 23, 1986 in Wakefield, Mass. ... Son of Debbie and Gary Zardas ... Brother of Melissa ... Majoring in Building Materials and Wood Technology.

Career Statistics (Rushing)

Year	GP/GS	No.	Yds.	Avg.	TD	Lg.
2007	11/0	3	53	17.7	0	47
2008	12/12	23	138	6.0	4	21
2009	11/5	43 	164	3.8	3	15
Totals	34/17	69	351	5.3	7	47

Career Statistics (Receiving)

Year	GP/GS	No.	Yds.	Avg.	TD	Lg.
2007	11/0	6	53	8.8	2	33
2008	12/12	7	41	5.9	2	16
2009	11/5	7	46	6.6	1	9
Totals	34/17	20	138	6.9	5	33

Career Highs

Carries: 11 at Richmond (10/24/09)
Rush Yds.: 53 vs. Fordham (11/24/07) & vs. Bryant (10/25/08)
Longest Run: 47 vs. Fordham (11/24/07)
Receptions: 3 vs. Rh.Island (9/19/09),at Richmond (10/24/09)
Receiving Yards: 23 at Richmond (10/24/09)
Longest Run: 16 vs. Albany (8/30/08)
TDs: 2 at N'eastern (10/11/08), vs. Stony Brook (9/26/09)