August 15, 2007

FOOTBALL PRACTICE REPORT

Junior defensive back Michael Morgan is one of eight returning starters on defense for the Bulldogs in 2007.

SMITHFIELD, RI -  The Bryant University football hit the field for their first official practice this afternoon.  A total of 119 student-athletes reported to campus Tuesday afternoon to check into their dorms and settle in for a day of meetings and paperwork.  Later in the afternoon, the team finally took to the field for a bit of conditioning and testing. 

After another walk through Wednesday morning, the team finally strapped on their helmets and enjoyed a spirited and intense workout.  Starting at 3:15 p.m. sharp, the Bulldogs took the field with the defense in black and the offense in their normal white practice uniforms.  Coach Marty Fine, now entering his fourth season as coach of the Bulldogs, met with the media while the team stretched.  But before long, the sounds of whistles and a much-anticipated first full practice was underway. 

BULLDOGS LOOK TO RIDE MOMENTUM FROM MEMORABLE 2006 SEASON
The Bulldogs are coming off their most successful season in school history last fall, winning a share of the program's first Northeast-10 Conference Championship and berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs.  Bryant finished the season 8-3 last under coach Fine who begins his fourth season at Bryant.  Bryant has won 15 games in the last two seasons and were picked to finish fourth this year in the Northeast-10 Conference preseason coaches' poll released last week. 

A total of 119 student-athletes are expected to report to camp this fall as the Bulldogs prepare for the season opener against American International on Saturday, September 8 at Bulldog Stadium (1 p.m.).  Just two starters are back on offense, lineman Ralph Squitieri (Orangeburg, NJ) and three-year starting quarterback Charlie Granatell (Franklin Lakes, NJ).  Granatell was second in the nation in 2006 in passing efficiency.  Defensively, the Bulldogs return eight starters including its entire secondary from last season's record breaking team.

TRAVELING SHOES
Bryant will have just four home games this season. Following the opener against AIC, the Bulldogs will welcome Pace University to Smithfield, RI for Homecoming and Reunion weekend on September 29.  Stonehill comes to Bulldog Stadium for Parents and Family Weekend October 13.  After that, it's a three-game road trip that will take the Bulldogs to Saint Anselm (Oct. 20), Stony Brook (Oct. 27), and Southern Connecticut (Friday, Oct. 3) before the team wraps up the regular season at home against rival Bentley College on Saturday, Nov. 10. 

BULLDOGS ONLINE
All Bryant games can be heard online at http://www.bryantbulldogs.com/ and seen live on http://www.ne10.tv/.   The September 14 game at Merrimack (Friday night) can be seen live on CSTV.com as part of its "Game of the Week" package.  Veteran "Voice of the Bulldogs"  John McCarthy returns once again this season to call all of the action live.  He'll be joined in the booth by Patrick Sullivan '08 who is back for his second year providing color analysis.