October 16, 2007

BRYANT FOOTBALL RANKED NO. 1 IN NCAA REGION
Bulldogs Off To 6-0 Start To Season - Best In School History

SMITHFIELD, RI -  The Bryant University football team enters the week ranked No. 1 in the latest NCAA Division II Northeast Regional Poll released on Monday. This is the highest ranking in the regional poll for the Bryant football program.  The Bulldogs reached a No. 3 regional ranking last year in qualifying for the school's first-ever NCAA Division II playoff game. 

This season, head coach Marty Fine and the Bulldogs are 6-0 and in sole possession of first place in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Bulldogs leaped from No. 6 to No. 1 after last Saturday's 34-6 win over Stonehill at home. Bryant is ranked No. 24 in the latest http://www.d2football.com/ national poll.

Six teams will qualify for the NCAA Division II playoffs with the top two teams in the region earning first-round byes.  The NCAA playoffs will begin with first-round action on Saturday, Nov. 17. 

The team will travel to Saint Anselm College this Saturday for a 1 p.m. game in Manchester, NH.  

NCAA Northeast Regional Ranking (Oct. 15, 2007)
1. BRYANT (6-0)
2. West Chester (6-1)
3. California (PA) (7-0)
4. Indiana (PA) (5-1)
5. Slippery Rock (6-1)
6. Shepherd (6-1)
7. Charleston (WVA) (6-2)
8. Stonehill (4-2)
9. Edinboro (5-2)
10. Southern Connecticut (4-3)
11. Bentley (4-2)
12. Glenville State (4-3)