Tom McCafferty has a new fan ... and some big expectations to fulfill.

"My 6-year old daughter [Jenna] has a new favorite player," said Washington & Jefferson College football coach Mike Sirianni, referring to McCafferty, a 6-0, 195-pound wide receiver from Jefferson Hills. "That puts even more pressure on him to play up to his potential this year."

McCafferty replaces graduated placekicker Kyle Sidebotham as Jenna Sirianni's favorite W&J player. McCafferty, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, is a two-year starter who was an honorable mention selection on the All-Presidents' Athletic Conference team last year.

"I remember watching Tom make all these spectacular catches while I was scouting him at Thomas Jefferson," said Sirianni. "He has shown signs of that since coming to W&J, but we need him to step up and be a difference-maker every game. He's got the talent to become a big-play player."

McCafferty has had 61 receptions the past two seasons, good for 999 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"I set my goals high," said McCafferty. "I want to have 100 yards in receiving and a touchdown in every game."

McCafferty also has high expectations for the Presidents.

"I don't expect anything less than winning the conference [title], going to the playoffs, and making a run for the national championship," said McCafferty. "We should have a very potent offense. We lost a lot of starters on defense, but the guys coming in for them should do just fine."

Sirianni used a fast-paced aerial attack during McCafferty's first season with the Presidents, but switched to a ball-control offense last year to take advantage of tailback Ryan Mendel, who finished fifth in school history with 3,243 career rushing yards.

"I expect a lot out of myself to begin with, and I had to accept that we were more of a running team," said McCafferty. "With a great offensive line and with Mendel carrying the ball, I had to take a back seat to that."

McCafferty is one of seven starters returning on offense. Quarterback Bobby Swallow, who threw for 2,022 yards and 20 touchdowns, is also back.

Swallow completed 20 of 33 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown in the Presidents' 30-27 loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs last year. McCafferty caught six passes for 78 yards in that game.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable," said McCafferty. "We flew down [to Texas]. It was like we were a big-time program. They wheeled the stairway across the runway right to our plane. It reminded me of watching Matt Leinert and his USC teammates step out of the plane before the national championship game.

"Everybody was ready for the game. It was such a big deal. Everybody knew the caliber of their players and we almost beat them. We passed a lot in that game. It was a good step for us; it showed we can throw the ball against teams of that caliber. I think it's a sign we will be throwing the ball more this year."

McCafferty began his collegiate career at Mount Union College.

"I actually played some as a freshman, but it just wasn't for me," said McCafferty, who transferred to W&J before the 2005 season. "I just didn't fit in [at Mount Union]. Transferring to W&J allowed me to move closer to home. Nick Cherish [a former Thomas Jefferson teammate who was already at W&J] took me under his wing and made the transition easier."

McCafferty put in extra time with Swallow this summer.

"We've met at least once a week since school ended to throw the ball around," said McCafferty. "I live only 30 minutes from campus, so it's very easy for me to hook up with Bobby."

The Presidents open their season a week from Saturday at home against Geneva College.