football News - July, 2009 Archive

June 1: St. Lawrence University defensive standout Gerard Bryant '10 has been named the Consensus Draft Services (CDS) Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The White Plains, NY native also garnered preseason First Team All-American honors from CDS as well.

May 8: St. Lawrence University head football coach Chris Phelps has announced four captains that will lead the Saints in the fall of 2009. Seniors Gerard Bryant, Connor Hackett, McLean Beyor and Mike Battaglia will serves as the team leaders throughout their senior season.

"I am very pleased with this year's selection of captains," said Coach Phelps. "As a whole, we have a senior class that if filled with great leaders. To be chosen by your peers within this type of senior class is a great honor."

The St. Lawrence football team is slated to have 34 seniors on the roster come August. The players selected a defensive lineman in Bryant, an offensive weapon in Hackett, a staple along the offensive line in Beyor and a vocal defensive leader in Battaglia.

"These four young men have proven over their careers that they have the qualities that are found in great players and successful leaders," continued Coach Phelps. "They have developed a solid work ethic, a passion for the game of football and a desire to be the best that they can be. They are enthusiastic and excited for the challenges and responsibility that come with honor. I am confident that these qualities will allow them to lead through their words and their actions."

Apr. 6: The St. Lawrence University football team handed out the program's annual hardware on Saturday at the team's 2008 season banquet. Players and coaches were joined by parents, staff and the Friends of St. Lawrence Football to hand out the yearly awards.

The 2008 Most Valuable Player award went to junior defensive tackle Gerard Bryant, who was named a First Team All-America by D3football.com and was a First-Team ECAC and Liberty League choice as well. The White Plains, NY native finished in the top-10 nationally and first in the Liberty League in tackles for a loss (20.0) in 2008.

Five seniors were honored with annual awards as well on Saturday, including Ryan Cooney, Andy Welkley, Charlie Haydock, Chris Lutgens and Mike Bruno.

Cooney, who had a breakout season at the wide-receiver spot, was named the squad's Offensive Player of the Year after earning All-Conference honors for the first time. Welkley landed Defensive Player of the Year honors after rounding out a fantastic career that saw the Tonawanda, NY native earn All-Conference for the third consecutive year.

Jan. 4: The honors and awards continue to pour in for junior defensive tackle Gerard Bryant. The White Plains, NY native, who finished in the top-10 nationally in tackles for a loss, earned his way on to D3Football.com's All-American First Team. Bryant was also named a 2008 Division III ECAC Northwest All-Star.

The All-American honor is the first for Bryant, who was one of six unanimous selections to the Liberty League's First Team Defense. Despite facing double and triple teams throughout the 2008 season, he posted outstanding numbers for St. Lawrence including 97 tackles, five sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. It is the second consecutive year that he has earned ECAC Northwest All-Star honors.

Bryant finished the season as the conference leader in tackles for a loss (20.0) and as one of the premier defensive players in the region. He and teammate Tim LaRose were named to the D3Football.com All-Region Team in December.

"These are obviously tremendous accomplishments and honors for Gerard (Bryant), and we're all very excited that his outstanding season was recognized," said St. Lawrence University head football coach Chris Phelps. "Gerard stood out all season, and to see his name alongside the elite players in the country is very special."

Dec. 12: St. Lawrence University junior defensive tackle Gerard Bryant and senior guard Tim LaRose have each earned 2008 All-East Region Team honors from D3Football.com. Bryant was named to the First Team defense while LaRose, a Pre-Season All-American, earned Second Team offense honors.

"I'm very proud of the way both Gerard (Bryant) and Tim (LaRose) performed throughout the 2008 season, and this accomplishment just adds to their importance to our program," said St. Lawrence head coach Chris Phelps. "They are both very deserving honorees who left everything they had on the field."

Bryant was a dominant force along the defensive line for St. Lawrence despite often facing double and triple teams from opposing offensive linemen. The White Plains, NY native finished in the top-10 nationally and first in the Liberty League in tackles for a loss (20.0). Bryant was named the ECAC and Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Norwich, and earned a spot on the Liberty League's First Team.

Meanwhile, LaRose continued to play at a high level at the left guard spot for the Saints in 2008. The Weedsport, NY native started in all ten games in his final season, anchoring a line that allowed 22 sacks, averaged 128.8 rushing yards per game and 198.2 yards through the air per contest. A Pre-Season

All-American in the fall, LaRose picked up All-Conference honors for the second straight year as he landed Honorable Mention status.

Nov. 18: St. Lawrence University junior defensive tackle Gerard Bryant and graduate student offensive lineman Chris Lutgens each earned Liberty League First Team honors, as the conference announced its annual award winners on Tuesday. Junior running back Eric Jones collected Second Team honors, while seniors Ryan Cooney, Tim LaRose, Devaun McFarland and Andy Welkley all received Honorable Mention status.

Bryant was one of six unanimous selections to the Liberty League's First Team Defense. Despite facing double and triple teams throughout the 2008 season, he posted outstanding numbers for St. Lawrence including 97 tackles, five sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. The White Plains, NY native finished in the top-10 nationally and first in the Liberty League in tackles for a loss (20.0). Bryant was also named the ECAC and Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Norwich.

One year after earning Honorable Mention status, Lutgens played his way on to the conference's First Team Offense. The Greenwich, NY native was a staple along the offensive line for St. Lawrence, starting in all ten games at the left tackle position. He used his 6'5, 250 pound frame to lead an offensive line that allowed 22 sacks, averaged 128.8 yards per game in the rushing game and went for 198.2 yards passing each contest.

Nov. 15: The St. Lawrence University football team pulled to within a point of WPI at 21-20 after first-year student Ramon Mignott ran for a five yard touchdown with 7:43 remaining in regulation on Saturday afternoon at Leckonby Stadium. However, a missed extra point would keep the Saints behind by a single point, and they were unable to overcome the small deficit as the visiting Engineers hung on for a 21-20 victory on St. Lawrence's "Senior Day."