Bucknell University Athletics
Andrew Decker Takes Small Size in Stride
11/1/2005 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 1, 2005
By Todd Merriett, Bucknell Athletic Communications
This story originally appeared in the Bucknell football game day program on Oct. 15, 2005, the day the Bison hosted Villanova.
When most quarterbacks scan the Bucknell defense they notice a pair of imposing giants waiting for the snap with 6 foot, 5 inch, 270-pound All-American Sean Conover and 6'4", 268-pound Brandon Bailey crouched down and ready to invade the backfield. Most signal callers miss another member of the defensive line, 5'11", 226-pound Andrew Decker.
The senior, who graduated from nearby Berwick Area High School, has always cherished his underdog role.
"It must be funny for opponents to look over and see us during warm-ups," says Decker, who weighed less than 215 pounds as a freshman. "I am the midget in between Conover and Bailey."
Despite being undersized, Decker has had great success in Orange and Blue. After recording 19 tackles in four games on the junior varsity squad as a freshman, he appeared in all 12 games with the varsity as a sophomore. He made three starts and registered 21 tackles.
After experiencing the taste of success in his second year, the Berwick, Pa., native blossomed as a junior. He started all 11 games and ranked ninth on the team with a career-high 40 tackles.
It appeared Decker was well on his way to improving upon those numbers this year when he tallied a career-high eight tackles in the season-opening overtime loss to Georgetown. However, in the second game of the season at Stony Brook, Decker followed in the footsteps of his roommate Blamah Sarnor, who suffered a leg injury against the Hoyas. When making a tackle in the first quarter against the Seawolves, Decker injured his thumb and has missed the last three games. He expects to make his return this afternoon against Villanova.
"It is hard to watch and not contribute," explains Decker, who saw his streak of 25 straight games played come to an end at Cornell. "I tried to play a role by yelling and encouraging my teammates as much as I could."
By missing the Cornell contest, Decker lost his chance to face Cornell All-America offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who at 6'4", 327 pounds, outweighs Decker by more than 100 pounds.
"I really enjoy going against great competition because it measures how good you really are," says Decker. "Anybody can go against guys their own size, but I enjoy facing bigger opponents. I was disappointed to not have the opportunity to face Boothe again. He is tremendous and really gives me a fight. When I came off the field against him last year I was very tired. He gave me a battle and then some."
Decker does have a different opponent to look forward to this afternoon when the Bison battle Villanova. His high school teammate, Frank Jankowski, is expected to make the start at quarterback for the Wildcats. He will know better than to overlook the size of Decker, whom he works out with when both are home.
"We are good friends and if I get a shot at him I am going to hit him," beams Decker.
In addition to coping with his injury, Decker received some somber news in the week leading up to the Penn game - his father, William, was scheduled for heart bypass surgery. The 21-year-old quickly left the Lewisburg, Pa., campus of Bucknell and made the 40-mile drive home to be by his father's side.
William, who along with his wife Jean, attend every one of Decker's games, had successful surgery and returned home Monday (Oct. 10).
"Everything is great!" exclaims Decker. "It is good they found it when they did and were able to fix it."
The short distance between Berwick and Bucknell enabled Decker to easily go home during the close-knit family's trying time. The road does not lead just one way as it has allowed his parents to visit him frequently, especially during the football season.
"My mom will tell you I have not done laundry for four years," laughs Decker. "My parents come here every weekend for the games. For away games they usually ride the fan bus. It's great! I am lucky since a lot of my teammates do not get to see their families much."
Family holds an important place in Decker's life. Prior to every game he peers into the stands and locates his parents. Unfortunately, there may be an empty seat this week as his father continues to recover from his surgery. If he is unable to make it to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium William will be huddled around a radio listening to the broadcast of the game, just as father and son did for the Penn game last week.
With his senior season reaching its midway point this weekend, Decker still sees the goal of winning Bucknell's first Patriot League title since 1996 within reach.
"With all the injuries we have had this year we haven't played to our full capacity yet," says Decker of his team that has just 14 players scheduled to start against Villanova that also started the season-opener against Georgetown. "We have so much potential and I know we are going to get there in the next few games. I can't wait to see everything clicking on all cylinders."
Much like his status this weekend, Decker's future following graduation in May is uncertain. The elementary education major would love to teach or coach, but he recently added a history major and is preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Like most student-athletes at Bucknell, Decker chose to become a Bison because of the academics.
"Bucknell is a quality place with a quality education," remarks Decker, who also considered spending four years at Army and Lehigh. "I have played four years of football, and even though I would love to, I am not going to play in the NFL. Bucknell has given me a great education and the chance to be successful in life, along with the chance to become part of a Grade-A football program."
While there will be the normal group of family members in the stands - minus his father - that notice Decker lurking beneath the imposing shadows cast by Conover and Bailey today, Decker hopes the rest of the crowd is forced to take notice of the "tiny" defensive lineman because of his actions on the field rather than on the sideline.
