FOOTBALL

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University football team announced its captains for the 2008 season this week, and rising seniors Darnell Jackson and Jim Kiritsy will share the honor.

Jackson (Miami, Fla./Parkway Academy), the team's leading rusher the last three seasons, set career highs in rushing yards (1,002), rushing touchdowns (eight), rushing yards per carry (6.1), receptions (18) and receiving yards (120).

The versatile play-maker will enter the season ranked among Norwich's all-time greats in several rushing and kick return categories. He ranks fourth on NU's career rushing yards list with 2,225 yards. He also ranks fourth all-time in yards per carry (5.3), and lists tied for fifth all-time with 17 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Jackson is the program's all-time leader in kickoff return average (26.2), and he ranks fifth with 43 career kickoff returns. 

Kiritsy (Whitinsville, Mass./Northbridge), who will go into the year as one of the team's starting linebackers, is coming off a season in which he recorded 25 tackles (including 14 solo stops). He will be looking to build on a career that includes 38 tackles (21 solo stops).

The Cadets open their 2008 season on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Newton, Mass., to take on non-league foe Mount Ida.