September 21, 2010

BRYANT FOOTBALL OPENS NORTHEAST CONFERENCE SCHEDULE SATURDAY AT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

Game Notes / Live Audio

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After closing out its non-conference schedule with a victory over Merrimack College, the Bryant University football team (3-0) will travel to Central Connecticut State University (1-2) this Saturday at 12 p.m. for their first Northeast Conference contest of 2010.

Saturday's game marks the third matchup all-time between both programs, with CCSU leading the series 2-0.  The Blue Devils have won both contests by a combined eight points, and won the last meeting 24-23 at Bulldog Stadium in 2009.

Bryant enters the matchup with its first 3-0 record since 2007, when it finished 8-3 and on top of the Northeast 10 Conference (Division II).  Bryant will play all eight NEC opponents in 2010, marking the third go-around of the mandatory four-year transitional period to become an official NCAA Division I program. The Black and Gold have compiled a 8-6 record against teams representing the Northeast Conference since 2008.

Coach Marty Fine's club is averaging a league-leading 44.5 points and 377.0 yards of total offense per game.  Sophomore running back Jordan Brown is leading the unit with 213.3 all-purpose yards per outing and has accounted for seven touchdowns.  Fellow running back Mike Canfora has racked up 279 rushing yards, averaging just under 100 per game.  Canfora leads the Bulldogs with eight touchdowns (six rushing, two receiving), and is second on the team with six receptions.

Central Connecticut is coming off a 63-24 loss to fellow DI (FCS) member Youngstown State last Saturday.  The Blue Devils were selected as a preseason favorite to win the NEC and earn the automatic qualifier bid for the NCAA Division I(FCS) Championship Playoff.  Central Connecticut finished top of the NEC in 2009 with a 9-3 record overall and a 7-1 mark in league play.

Bryant's conference opener can be heard on WOON 1240 AM with John McCarthy calling the play-by-play and Pete Royce providing in-game analysis.  Fans outside the listening area can hear all the action live at www.bryantbulldogs.com.

Quick hits

-Bryant is 8-6 against NEC opponents, having won the last two outings(Saint Francis (PA) 11/14/09 and Duquesne 11/21/09).

-Central Connecticut is 2-0 against Bryant and have lost just three NEC games in the past two seasons.

-The Bulldogs are 4-4 against NEC opponents on the road since 2008.

-Bryant will look to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2007 when they won its first seven games.

-The Bulldogs are averaging 377.0 yards of offense per game and 234.0 rushing yards per outing.

-The Black and Gold lead the Northeast Conference in scoring offense (44.7 points per game), rushing offense (234.3), punt return average (22.1 yards per return), opponent fourth-down conversion rates (16.7 percent) and kickoff coverage (40.7 yards per kickoff).

-Sophomore running back Jordan Brown leads the NEC with 140.7 rushing yards per game. Brown also leads the league with 213.3 all-purpose yards per outing.

-Mike Canfora is leading the conference in scoring with eight touchdowns and one two-point conversion (50 points).

-Canfora recorded six catches for 28 yards and one touchdown against the Blue Devils in 2009.

-Junior Quarterback Mike Croce is 15 for 30 (50 percent) with 140 yards and two touchdowns against Central Connecticut.