• 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
 

August 17, 2009

FOOTBALL OPENS CAMP IN THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY

August 17, 2009

BULLDOG FOOTBALL OPENS PRESEASON CAMP UNDER THE SUN

Since coach Marty Fine arrived at Bryant, August training camp temperatures have been generally cool and pleasant.  This is not one of those years.  A full week of temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's has been grueling as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2009 season opener in a few weeks.

"We've had a good week of practice," said Fine.  "It's been hot but the guys came back to campus in great shape and it has shown on the field. They've been staying hydrated and working hard."

More than 100 players reported to camp over the weekend and have looked sharp in gearing up for the school's second year competing at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision level.   Fine returns 17 starters from a squad that posted an impressive 7-4 record in 2008.

"We are lucky that with all of the newcomers on the roster, we have a great group of juniors and seniors returning who know the system and what we are trying to accomplish." added Fine.  "But as in every preseason, there are some bumps and some learning to do but we are progressing very well." 

While Fine, who enters his sixth season at Bryant with a 34-18 overall coaching record, is pleased with the way things are going, he knows there is much work to be done before the season opener on September 5 when a tough Southern Connecticut squad comes to Bulldog Stadium for a 3 pm game.

"We have some big holes to fill in some key spots on the depth chart."

One of those positions is at quarterback where last year's starter, Jay Graber, has graduated.  Graber enjoyed an excellent season in '08, throwing for 1,676 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Senior Kurt Spear (Greene, NY) is the only player on the preseason depth chart with playing experience.  Spear appeared in four games in '08 highlighted by a strong showing off the bench at UMass where he completed seven of 18 passes for 70 yards.

Senior Nick Scardelli (Manalapan, NJ) and junior Mike Croce (Waterbury, CT) are expected to compete as well but it will take some time to get the rhythm and timing down.

"Kurt's our most experienced returner but Nick and Mike are both tremendous athletes with good, strong arms and ability to scramble out of the pocket."

Scardelli played a few snaps against UMass (rushing for nine yards) while Croce, a transfer from Merrimack College, was a two-time Connecticut All-State selection.  Despite limited experience, both Scardelli and Croce have a firm understanding of Fine's offensive playbook and both are coming off an excellent spring practice season.

The Bulldogs will have six quarterbacks wearing the red practice jerseys as Fine welcomes newcomers Tim Miscovich (Ashburn, VA), Ray Doucette (Cambridge, MA), and Matt Pryzby (Blue Point, NY) to camp this year. Miscovich, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound freshman led Broad Run High School to a 24-0 record in two seasons.  Doucette, the tallest quarterback on the roster at 6-4, 180 pounds, was named first team Greater Boston and Eastern Mass All-Star at Cambridge Rindge & Latin.  He ranks sixth all-time in Massachusetts with 7,100 career passing yards and 62 touchdowns.  Przyby passed for 1,723 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior at St. John The Baptist.

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