MANCHESTER, NH (Oct. 13) --- Coming off a difficult loss to Pace University last weekend, the Saint Anselm football team looks to rebound when they travel to the campus of Bryant College to face the Bulldogs Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in an Eastern Football Conference tilt.

The Hawks are looking for their second win of the season as they stand 1-4 overall and 1-3 in EFC play. Bryant, like Saint Anselm, is a new program in it's second season of varsity play. The Bulldogs have fared slightly better in their sophomore season, sporting a 3-2 record.

Head Coach Geoff Harlan and his staff realize that containing Bryant's top offensive players must be a priority if Saint Anselm is to win the game.

The Bulldogs feature an offense that ranks first in the league at 33.6 points per game and owns the second best scoring defense, limiting opponents to 14.0 pints per game.

"Bryant has put together a strong program," said Harlan. "They have a very balanced team on both sides of the ball. Our team will have to be at the top its game if we expect to win."

Harlan did mention that his young squad has shown areas of improvement and that the Hawks could feed off that as they continue to build confidence.

"Our team has surprised me in the areas with its improvement," said Harlan. "We have been running the ball with better consistency and results. Our defense has yielded fewer big plays and contained teams from running for big yardage. Our punting game has also improved significantly which has helped us control the field better of late."

Like many of the teams Saint Anselm has faced this season such as Pace and CW Post, Bryant relies heavily on the rushing game and that could be a key to victory if the Saint Anselm defense can hold the Bulldogs. Bryant is averaging a league best 264 yards per game on the ground, but is averaging just barely over 77 yards per game in the air, ranking them next to last.

Leading that run game is freshman Andre McLeod, who, with 383 yards on 65 carries (5.9 ypc, 76.6 ypg), ranks fifth among rushers in the league and ranks 10th in the league for all purpose yardage (86.4 ypg).

And Bryant also has one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league in Tony Granieri, an offensive weapon that can throw but who's scrambling ability has put him second on the team for rushing yardage with over 46 yards per game.

In fact, Granieri has had to rely very little on his arm, having thrown for just 306 yards on 20-38 passing with four touchdowns. As a team, Bryant has thrown the ball just 57 times this season. Jason Paine leads the team in total receptions (10) and yardage (122) with a touchdown.

Saint Anselm's total defense has improved of late, moving up to fifth in the league and has been led by the likes of Shaun St. Onge (Wolfeboro), who has pulled in 37 tackles (18th in the EFC), while Lance Flagg is putting up solid numbers with 36 tackles (19th in the EFC), 10 for losses, four sacks and a forced fumble. Justin Peledge (32 tackles) has added two interceptions, while Matt Savino has also added four sacks.

"We will have to commit more defenders for run stoppage as they have a powerful running attack," said Harlan. "We also have to pursue relentlessly to the point of attack. Granieri has been their leader for three years and he has matured quite well into directing their team."

Bryant's rushing defense is allowing just 113 yards per game (second in the league) and just 222 yards of total offense (also second). Greg Wolyniec leads the team with 31 tackles (14th in the EFC), while Scott Murphy has added 27 (14 solo).

Defensively, Bryant will be a challenge for the Hawks offense, although Saint Anselm has improved significantly over the last two weeks in rushing the ball and quarterback Keith Comeau has been able to spread the ball around the field a bit more evenly.

Jon Turner, the Hawks workhorse tailback, rushed for 128 yards last week on the way to a spot in the league honor roll, and Saint Anselm has averaged over 140 yards on the ground for two straight weeks, distributing the ball a bit more to the likes of Kevin Ridgely (62 yards on 16 carries) and fullback Javius Broxton. Turner is averaging 67.8 yards per game, eighth in the league, and has scored four touchdowns.

Comeau's 748 total passing yards (149 ypg - fifth in the EFC) have come on 90-171 passing (53%) with favorite targets such as Jeff Farragher with 21 catches (fifth in the EFC) for 167 yards and three touchdowns leading the way. Travis Pelletier has also hit double digits in receptions with 11 for 128 yards and two scores.
Overall, Harlan sees his Hawks having a solid chance at catching it's second win of the season with the right factors falling into place.

"Bryant's defense will look to attack us with a pressure defense," said Harlan. "Our offense will look to establish our improving running game early and we'll need to be able to spread the ball around the field if we want to loosen up their defense.

Harlan also knows his team has not forgotten the 27-7 thumping Bryant handed the Hawks at Grappone Stadium. "Turnovers led to 10 points in the first half of last year's game," said Harlan. "We must keep possession of the football and attack their rushing defense for the entire game if we want to be successful."