In separate social media posts, wide receiver Brian Strachan ’15.5 and football team quarterback and co-captain Marcus Fuller ’15.5 announced that they will be returning to the team for the 2015 season.
While most players are only offered four years of eligibility, Strachan and Fuller were both granted medical hardship waivers for suffering significant injuries in their freshman and junior seasons, respectively. Since both have already completed seven semesters, they will take the 2015 spring semester off before returning to school in the fall.
Fuller grew by leaps and bounds this season — his first as a starter. After throwing for 202 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in the season opener, he threw for at least one touchdown in each of the year’s final nine games and was only intercepted five more times. His seven picks were the second fewest among Ivy quarterbacks with at least 250 attempts.
On the year, he threw for 2,618 yards, the third-most in the Ivy League.
He completed a somewhat low 54.7 percent of his attempts but was still third in the conference in yards per attempt at 7.2.
His experience will be invaluable on a team that has seen its share of growing pains: This season, the Bears offense struggled to find cohesiveness with 11 new starters. But seven starters are projected to return for the unit in 2015, and Bruno will benefit from continuity under center, especially now that backup quarterback Seth Rosenbauer ’16 has transitioned to running back and been replaced on the depth chart by Kyle Moreno ’17, who completed just 3-for-9 pass attempts in limited time this season.
“Experience is the one thing you can’t teach,” Fuller said. “I matured a lot over the season.”
Fuller explained that he knew his decision was made after the team’s loss to Yale, in which the offense exploded for six touchdowns but fell 45-42.
“We went toe-to-toe with what was at the time the best offense in the country,” he said. “That was proof of how far we’ve come and what we’re capable of as a unit.”
Strachan had an excellent season as well, ending the year with Second Team All-Ivy honors. His 56 catches, 668 yards and seven touchdowns led the Bears and placed him sixth, seventh and second in the conference respectively. Strachan’s chemistry with Fuller was evident, and the connection between the two will be instrumental in the success of next year’s attack.
“As the season went on, the offense got a lot better,” Strachan said.
Previously plagued by injuries, including two ankle surgeries, Strachan said this offseason will be the first in which he is at full strength and can prepare without limits. Finally unshackled from rehab exercises, Strachan said he plans to “give it all I have.”
With one more shot at a championship, both Bears plan to make it count.
“I came here to win an Ivy title,” Strachan said. “We have unfinished business.”
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