August 21, 2009
BULLDOGS LOADED AT RUNNING BACK IN
2009
Bryant University Football Season Preview Continued
SMITHFIELD, RI – With the season opener
against Southern Connecticut just two weeks away, the Bryant
University football team has been hard at work on the practice
field. Head coach Marty Fine has put the team
through a rigorous nine days of practices and
workouts.
Following one of the hottest weeks of
preseason practice in recent memory, the Bulldogs conducted
Thursday's practice under the lights at the Turf Field
Complex.
While the quarterback position is up for grabs, one position that
the Bulldogs are solid is at running back.
Bryant returns its dangerous one-two combination of seniors
Jerell Smith (Brooklyn, NY) and Lindsey
Gamble (Roxbury, MA). The pair worked
hard in the weight room over the offseason and spent the summer
going through an extensive conditioning program.
In addition, the Bulldogs have several others
ready to challenge for time.
“Smith and Gamble had a nice year in
'08,” said Fine who enters his sixth season at the helm
of the Bulldogs. “They were both a bit
nicked up with the change in level of competition but were really
committed to gaining strength in the weight room over the summer
and we are looking for them to lead the way in the running game and
help us control the clock on offense.”
Smith, a transfer from Howard University who
begins his third and final season this fall, rushed for a team-best
1,254 yards and six touchdowns in Bryant's first year
competing in Division I. He went over 100 yards
in seven of Bryant's 11 games including a career-high 221
yards in the win over Southern Connecticut.
Gamble, a four-year veteran and like Smith has
explosive speed out of the backfield, rushed for 792 yards in 10
games and led the team with seven touchdowns.
After a breakout year as a sophomore, Gamble came through with
several big plays during the '08 season including a big
75-yard touchdown scramble in the win over Iona last November.
Don't be surprised if you see junior
Mike Canfora (Verona, NJ) - pictured above - have
his number called a few times off the bench. The
speedy back saw action in all 11 games a year ago where he rushed
for rushed for 89 yards including a season-best 24 against Saint
Francis and scored two touchdowns in the win over Southern
Connecticut. Canfora has excellent blocking
skills in a pass situation and will give the Bulldogs another
option in the passing game out of the backfield.
Sophomores BJ Aponte (New Britain,
CT) and Eloma Johnson (Franklin, MA) have
loads of talent and enjoyed a successful spring and should be ready
to see action this season.
Freshman Jordan Brown (Glastonbury,
CT) has impressed the coaches so far in camp with his
speed and quickness. Brown was the New Haven Register
Connecticut Player of the Year in 2008 and also named Player of the
Year by the Hartford
Courant in leading Glastonbury to a 13-0 record and
state championship.
Juniors Zach Wilson (Yarmouthport,
MA) and Connor Cardew (Ipswich, MA) are
projected starters at full back looking to open holes for the
talented and speedy tailbacks while sophomore Nick Sengotta
(Wayne, NJ) has looked good in camp and should compete as
well.
Running back
BJ Aponte, So., 5-8, 190
Jordan Brown, Fr., 5-9, 185
Mike Canfora, Jr, 5-10, 210
Lindsey Gamble, Sr., 5-9, 200
Eloma Johnson, So., 5-9, 205
Jerell Smith, Sr., 5-9, 185
Fullback
Kyle Bell, Jr., 5-9, 245
Brian Campanille, Fr, 6-1, 240
Connor Cardew, Jr., 5-10, 230
John Riley, So., 6-0, 227
Nick Sengotta, So., 6-2, 235
Connor Sweeney, So., 6-1, 200
Zach Wilson, Jr., 6-3, 290
