SCHENECTADY, NY -- The sure sign of fall is the reporting of the Union College football team. The 2010 editiion of the Dutchmen reported Sunday, and camp opens with meetings on Monday.

This year's squad features 49 lettermen, and 48 freshmen among the 110 total players reporting. Union has six starters back on offense and five returning on defense from a squad that shared the Liberty League Championship and won a home ECAC playoff game.

Union was 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the league in 2009, and won five of six home games last fall. The Dutchmen have nine games on the regular season slate this fall, including four home dates. Union opens the season at Ithaca on September 11 (a week after the Bombers open their season vs. St. Lawrence). Home dates include the Bailey Field opener vs. Rochester on September 25, St. Lawrence for Homecoming on October 16, Salisbury on October 23 and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on November 6.

Offensively, the Dutchmen feature All-American candidate Chris Coney. The senior running back and captain is fourth all-time in career rushing at Union, and comes off a Liberty League First Team all star season that featured 1,164 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior WR Justin Gallo had 942 yards last year, which was the second best total for a single season in Union history. Junior QB Andrew Connolly tossed for 2,192 yards and 11 TDs.

On the defensive side, junior LB Steve Modliszewski is the leading returning tackler with 82, and he also forced two fumbles and posted two sacks. S Cam Johnson had 59 tackles, 5 1/2 for losses and a pair of interceptions with his two sacks. Johnson also is a key punt returner and joined Coney, and Gallo on the Liberty League First Team. #Richard Sixto, Jr.#, a junior linebacker, had 54 tackles with a pair of picks.

Senior punter Blaise Ancona was another first team selection. He had one of the best punting averages ever at Union, at 39.3 yards per boot, (the all time season record is 42.0). Ancona was named to the D3Proday Pre-Season All-American Team.

A full season outlook and position breakdown will be posted upon the conclusion of camp and prior to the September 11 season opener.