• Sat, 11/19 | Football vs. Central Connecticut L, 42-21 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Sat, 11/12 | Football vs. Saint Francis (PA) W, 45-34 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Sat, 11/05 | Football at Albany W, 31-17 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 10/22 | Football at Robert Morris W, 34-27 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 10/15 | Football vs. Monmouth L, 40-35 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Sat, 10/08 | Football vs. Stonehill W, 42-7 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Sat, 10/01 | Football at Duquesne L, 31-28 (Final) BX | BX | RC
  • Sat, 09/24 | Football vs. Wagner W, 30-28 (Final) BX | RC | PH
  • Fri, 09/16 | Football at Sacred Heart W, 26-6 (Final) BX | RC
  • Sat, 09/10 | Football vs. American Int'l W, 27-16 (Final) BX | RC | PH
 

September 2, 2007

Bulldog Spotlight: Bryant Looks to Get Defensive In 2007

September 2, 2007

BULLDOGS GETTING DEFENSIVE IN 2007

 

Bryce Martins returns an interception last fall. www.dspics.com

They old adage is "Defense Wins Championships."  You hear it from nearly every coach on every level. While the 2006 Bryant offense garnered the headlines and brought the capacity crowds to its feet nearly every time the Bulldogs took the field, one shouldn't overlook a Bulldog defensive unit that played a key role in bringing Bryant a share of its first-ever Northeast-10 Conference Championship title and berth in the NCAA tournament.

In 2006, while the high octane offense churned out more than 400 yards per game, it was the stingy Bulldog defense that held opponents to a paltry 260 yards including just 120 rushing yards per game average.

Not too bad considering some of the explosive offenses the league produces year in and year out from team's like the Southern Connecticut Owls, CW Post Pioneers, and Bentley Falcons, as well as powerhouse West Chester - Bryant's NCAA opponent - which came to Smithfield last November boasting one of the nation's best offenses.  

At season's end, opponents averaged nearly six punt attempts per game, a sure sign that the defense was doing its part in preventing long scoring drives and getting the exciting Lorenzo Perry and the rest of the Bulldog offense back on the field.

As the start of the 2007 season approaches, the defense once again figures to be one of the best in the league.  With eight starters back plus a talented group of returners and newcomers, head coach Marty Fine can rely on excellent depth and experience in keeping opponents out of the end zone.   

"Our number one goal is to be the best defense in the league," said co-captain Chris Wohlheter.  "This is a very tough league with outstanding players and to do that it's going to take a total team effort.  We have some experience back and everyone is working hard every day."

Wohlheter is right on the mark when he says that there is an element of experience back.  The senior safety is part of a secondary that returns four starters including corners Michael Morgan and Bryce Martins and strong safety Marcus Lindsey.  The four have a combined 103 games played between them.

They'll compliment a strong cast of linebackers including returning starters Paul Polomski and Dan Curci, and starting defensive lineman James Lewis, Jay Stahl, and Mark Gunther.

Polomski, who worked his way into the starting lineup in Week 2 of last year, finished second on the team with 62 tackles as a freshman and had two interceptions.  Lindsey, Wohlheter, and Martins were third, fourth, and fifth respectively among tackle leaders as the secondary accounted for 15 interceptions in 2006.

While the return of these familiar faces brings a smile to the Bryant coaching staff, opposing coaches and quarterbacks won't be so happy and will need to find a way to contain some of the best pass rushers in school history across the line of scrimmage.

Ends Mark Gunther and James Lewis have already etched their names in the record books and are looking to go out with a bang in their final year.

"We're the first recruiting class that Coach Fine brought to Bryant and we're determined to have our best season yet," said Lewis. "We all look to each other for guidance, and winning a share of the conference title last year keeps us motivated, but we have to continue to improve and do our best."

Lewis comes into this season with 61 career tackles and 11 tackles for a loss. On the other end is Gunther who set a school record with 11.5 sacks last season, giving him a school record 20 ½ career sacks.  The senior tallied three sacks in Bryant's wins over Saint Anselm and added three more in the conference title clinching win over Bentley. 

While many would be content with such records, the motivation inside Gunther continues to burn as he looks for an even better season in '07.

"I spent all summer working hard and training every day. Last year was a special year but I'm looking forward to getting back to it on September 8, back with my teammates and ready to have the best season yet.  As they say, ‘Defense wins championships."

You can't argue with that.

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