As a defender, C.T. Marsh was quite offended at how his junior season ended.

The fact that Franklin & Marshall lost its last three games, after starting 6-2, was bad enough. Knowing that the defense gave up 111 points in the last two losses was, essentially, like hitting rock bottom.

Because of it, he and the Diplomats, particularly the defensive unit, are a hungry group.

"It's hugely important for us to rebound," said Marsh, a three-year starter. "It comes down to pride. When you give up 100 points the last two games of the season, you feel like you have something to prove."

The first chance comes Saturday when Marsh & Co. open the 2011 season at Washington & Lee.

When they do, coach John Troxell will take with him a deeper squad, in both numbers and talent, than he's had in five previous seasons.

Troxell welcomes back 15 starters, including Marsh and quarterback John Harrison.

"It's always nice when you have a four-year starter, especially at that position," said Troxell, of his signal-caller. "He's like an extension of having me out there. He knows everything that's going on out there."

In his first three seasons, Harrison has completed 684 passes for 7,325 yards and 74 touchdowns, which are all school records.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to coach a kid like that," said Troxell. "I'm hoping he's going to be as productive as he's been the last three years."

Last season, Harrison threw for 2,872 yards and 28 touchdowns and he was named a D3 Senior Class All-American heading into this, his final year.

"I think last season left a sour taste in all of our mouths," said Harrison. "Losing the last three games of the season was certainly not the way we wanted to go out."

"It might have helped motivate us," he added. "Going into the off-season, it was something for us to think about."

Harrison will be without his three of his top four receivers from a year ago — Jay Ridinger, Jarrell Diggs and All-American tight end Michael Deutch. That trio combined for 185 catches, 2,166 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The returning top receiver is John Kaschak, the team's leading rusher who caught 57 passes for 475 yards. Kaschak, a three-year starter, also ran for 713 yards and seven touchdowns.

Alan Williams, a former running back, will move out and play wide receiver this fall, while Brian Kelly and Joe Goggin will look to fill Deutch's void at tight end.

Freshmen running backs Lamont Jackson and Scott LaValva, along with freshmen receivers Jordan Zackery and Paul McGann, could also provide a spark to a Diplomat offense that averaged 354 yards and 29 points per game in 2010.

"Every guy we have this year has his own strengths and weaknesses," said Harrison. "I have to just work toward the guy's strengths where they can make the most of it."

Nick Tucciarone, Sami Caygoz and Nick Gerace return on the offensive line, while Peter Gumas is back at fullback.

On defense, the Diplomats return their entire secondary, led by Kurt Rogers and Phil Barbieri.

Three linebackers return, highlighted by Sam Massaro, who has fully recovered from back surgery. Last season, as a sophomore, Massaro had a team-high 95 tackles and was an all-conference first-teamer.

On the defensive line, nose guard Kenny Provost will start for a third year and then there is Marsh, a dominant defensive end.

Last year, he had 11 sacks and 57 tackles, including 21 for a loss.

But it's the three losses at season's end he and the Diplomats remember most.

"I don't think there's anybody in the program who wasn't disappointed at the end," said Troxell. "It was a good year, but we're hoping that the good years aren't good enough."

AT A GLANCE

COACH — John Troxell (sixth season, 26-26)

LAST SEASON — 6-5 overall, 5-4 Centennial Conference.

KEY PLAYERS LOST — WR Jay Ridinger, TE Michael Deutch, DL Mark Surma, LB Shane Gray, LB James Freeman, WR Jarrell Diggs.

KEY PLAYERS RETURNING — QB John Harrison, RB John Kaschak, FB Peter Gumas, C Nick Tucciarone, T Nick Gerace, OL Sami Caygoz, CB Ty Savastio, LB Sam Massaro, DE C.T. Marsh, NG Kenny Provost, LB Nick Barbieri, LB Don Wiezik, DB Kurt Rogers.

OUTLOOK — Ten of the 15 returning starters have at least three years experience. For that reason alone, it's hard to believe this squad can't put together their third-straight winning season for the first time since 1989. Given their talent, there is no reason to believe the Dips can't compete for a conference title. A lot will depend on how they fare against perennial favorites Muhlenberg and Ursinus in Weeks Two and Three.

2011 SCHEDULE

Sept. 3   at Washington & Lee, 1 p.m.
Sept. 10   Muhlenberg, 1 p.m.
Sept. 17   at Ursinus, 1 p.m.
Sept. 24   Juniata, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 1   Dickinson, 1 p.m.
Oct. 15   at McDaniel, 12 p.m.
Oct. 22   at Moravian, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29   Susquehanna, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5   at Johns Hopkins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 12   Gettysburg, 1 p.m.

2010 RESULTS

35 Washington & Lee 7
7 Ursinus 10
35 at Dickinson 26
55 Juniata 13
41 at Susquehanna 20
17 at Moravian 24
17 at Muhlenberg 7
31 McDaniel 28
9 Johns Hopkins 24
35 at Gettysburg 57
41 at Washington & Jefferson 55