SMITHFIELD, RI (Oct. 14) - The Saint Anselm College football team has been inching it's way towards putting all its pieces together this season but have come up short numerous times.

But on a day few expected Saint Anselm to finally put it all together, they did when they needed it most.

The Hawks used its most balanced attack of the season combined with some of its best defense since last year to hold off the Bulldogs 28-20 before 1,587 at Bulldog Stadium this afternoon.

The win gave Saint Anselm, 2-4 overall and 2-3 in EFC play, a huge shot in the arm on a number of fronts. After a difficult 0-3 start, the Hawks have won two of their last three. Saint Anselm Head Coach Geoff Harlan knew this afternoon's game was important if the Hawks hoped to finish strong in it's 2000 campaign.

"It was an important victory for us," said Harlan, who's Hawks actually won here in the exhibition season of 1998 by an identical 28-20 score. "We talked about this being the first game of the second half of the season and to put the first half behind us and not to dwell on it. We want to move forward and this is a great step for us."

Harlan also noted the importance of beating Bryant, a program Saint Anselm is clearly developing a rivalry with on the gridiron. That rivalry was never more obvious than the Hawks post game reaction, which was in response to Bryant's post game celebration last season. Last year, Bryant pinned a 27-7 loss on the Hawks at Grappone Stadium. The Bulldogs followed the game with a team dance on the Hawks shield at midfield.

This time, the Hawks gathered in the Bulldogs home end zone and performed their own version. Harlan deflected the motivation on the part of the coaching staff, but knew that last year's loss and post game was motivation enough for his team.

"The team did not forget that loss last year," said Harlan. "There was no problem from the coaching staff's end in motivating them for this afternoon."

For the third straight game, Saint Anselm's running game was a strong presence. Jon Turner notched his third straight 100 plus day on the ground, finishing with 108 yards on 19 carries and scored twice, a one yarder in the second quarter and an 18 yard scamper that put the Hawks ahead 28-14 late in the fourth. The score proved to be the game winner when Bryant made things tense in the final minutes.

Add to that, the cool hand of quarterback Keith Comeau, who has shown a much steadier presence in the pocket of late, finishing 19-31 for 229 yards and two touchdowns against one interception.

Comeau connected with Travis Pelletier (Deerfield, NH / Central) for a 25 yard pass play in the second quarter and found Jason Case on a beautiful 19 yarder early in the fourth.

"We had to keep possession of the ball and we did a great job of that," said Harlan. "The need to establish the run game was a priority, but Keith also did a great job of spreading the ball around. We knew Bryant was susceptible to the play action pass and we mixed up the play action with some bootleg passes pretty well."
So well in fact, that Saint Anselm's top receivers were Kevin L'Ecuyer, Pelletier, and Brian Johnson with just three catches each. Four others however - Pat Martin, Mike Verroneau, Javius Broxton and Kevin Ridgely - all caught two.

Just as strong was the Saint Anselm defense. The Hawks limited the most potent scoring offense in the Eastern Football Conference to just 226 yard overall and held Bryant's strong running game, ranked tops in the EFC and seventh in the nation, to just 74 yards. Bryant was nearly invisible in the air, combining for eight of 17 for 152 yards.

Geoff Raby erupted for a season high 14 tackles and seemed to be everywhere on the field. Raby also finished with two and half sacks on Bryant's talented and dangerous Tony Granieri, who was harassed by the Hawks defensive line all day. Granieri finished just three for nine for 19 yards and rushed for a mere 28. It took third stringer Joe Spagnolo's (4-5, 63 yards) 35 yard touchdown pass to Chris Andrade with 1:06 to play, to make things interesting. Saint Anselm covered the onside kick to preserve the win.

"Containing Granieri was a key for us," said Harlan. "They have a potent running game and we held them to 74 net yards on the ground. That is the ultimate key to this game."

Harlan also pointed out that Bryant's formations allowed Raby much more opportunity to be involved. "Their formations put Geoff in the middle of the defense," Harlan said. "He was more of a middle linebacker today than an outside linebacker, so he was able to be a major factor in the center of the field."

Things started ominously enough for the Hawks when Willis Cooper returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. But Harlan's Hawks scored the next three touchdowns and held the Bulldogs off the scoreboard until the fourth.

"We continue to have problems with the big play," said Harlan, "but I told our players not to let on early play decide the game. They didn't."

The Hawks responded with two touchdowns in the second quarter. Comeau connected with Pelletier ending a nice seven play, 66 yard drive. Later, Justin Peledge intercepted Granieri at the Saint Anselm one, stealing Bryant's momentum.

Inspired by Peledge, Comeau and the offense followed with a dandy, 12 play drive that ate up 91 yards over 6:17.

"Justin did a good job for us today," said Harlan. "His interception helped take some wind out of their sails and we responded with the drive for our second score."

After a scoreless third, the Hawks caught a break when Justin Peledge returned a punt 45 yards to the Bryant 30. Two plays later, Comeau found Case who made a great second effort, catching the ball at the four, but dragging himself with a defender over the goal line for a 21-7 game.

Bryant cut it to 21-14 on a 70 yard pass play from Stew Winston to Brandon Dillingham, but the Hawks followed two drives later with a six play 65 yard drive ending in Turner's 18 yard score.

Harlan is hoping the win is enough to carry momentum back to Grappone Stadium next weekend when the Hawks host Merrimack in what could be a sellout as part of Homecoming weekend.

"We're in a good situation coming home for the next two," said Harlan. "We want to give the fans something to cheer for. We gave the ones that came here today to support us plenty. We're looking forward to next week."