football

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."

Nov. 8: The St. Lawrence University football team took a 20-13 lead over the University of Rochester early in the third quarter, but were unable to withstand the offensive duo of Patrick Keegan and Zach Ingoldsby in the second half as the Yellowjackets rallied to a 34-20 victory over the Saints on "Senior Day" at Edwin Fauver Stadium.

The Saints (1-8, 1-5) outgained Rochester offensively, 436-422, and would take a 7-0 lead only 2:18 into the contest. After junior cornerback Drew Williams returned an interception on the second play of the game all the way down to the Rochester 15-yard line, classmate Eric Jones would rush the football four straight plays and record a 5-yard touchdown to put his team on top early. Senior Matt Popov's extra point try was good, giving St. Lawrence a 7-0 advantage.

Rochester would answer only 58 seconds later thanks to a great kick-off return that gave Keegan and the offense outstanding field position at the visitor's 38-yard line. Two plays later, it was Mike Sondericker that scampered 32 yards for a touchdown run, though Zachary White-Stellato's extra point bid failed to leave the score at 7-6.

Nov. 1: The St. Lawrence University football team's offense exploded for 556 yards of total offense, including six rushing touchdowns, en route to a 49-42 victory at Susquehanna University on Saturday afternoon. The Saints (1-7, 1-4) saw junior tail backs Connor Hackett and Eric Jones combine for 244 yards on the day to pick up their first win of the 2008 season.

The two teams, meeting on the gridiron for only the second time in school histories, finished with the identical final score as their meeting in 2007.

The Saints wasted little time in building a lead over the Crusaders, who celebrated "Family Weekend" in front of a packed crowd at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field in Selinsgrove, PA. Sophomore quarterback JP Kearney orchestrated a nine play, 86-yard drive to put the visitors on top 7-0 with 8:27 to play in the first quarter.

Hackett capped off St. Lawrence opening drive with a fantastic individual effort from seven yards out for his first touchdown of the day. Kearney then used a quarterback draw from six yards out on St. Lawrence's second drive to build a 14-0 cushion with 3:07 left in the opening quarter.

Oct. 25: The St. Lawrence University football team pulled to within one score of 22nd-ranked Rensselaer at

16-8 early in the third quarter at Leckonby Stadium on Saturday afternoon when sophomore quarterback JP Kearney connected with senior wide receiver Ryan Cooney for an 11-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion. However, the touchdown only seemed to motivate the visiting Engineers, who rattled off 28 straight points to close the game and drop the Saints, 44-8.

Despite continuous rain throughout the game, both Kearney and Rensselaer quarterback Jimmy Robertson had solid outings. Kearney was 13-of-24 passing for 94 yards, a touchdown and an interception while Robertson was 23-of-34 for 273 yards and four scores. St. Lawrence simply did not have an answer for wide receiver Eren Savasli, who made 11 catches for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Turnovers, which have haunted St. Lawrence (0-7, 0-4) all season, continued to plague the offense in the first half and allowed Rensselaer (6-0, 4-0) to take a 16-0 lead into intermission. After a fumble on the Saints' opening drive gave RPI great field position at the home team's 23-yard line, Robertson found Mike Fil for a seven yard touchdown to put the visitors on top 6-0 only 2:38 seconds into the game. Peter Nilson's extra point was no good, though, as the kick hit the right upright.

Oct. 18: The St. Lawrence University football team jumped out to an impressive 14-0 first quarter lead behind outstanding play from sophomore quarterback JP Kearney against Union on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field. However, the Dutchmen would battle back behind three touchdowns from the Liberty League's top rusher Chris Coney and a fantastic second half defensive effort to top the Saints 35-14.

Saturday's first half proved to be the tale of two quarters, as the Saints dominated the first 15 minutes while Union (3-3, 2-2) answered in the second quarter to tie the score at 14-14.

St. Lawrence (0-6, 0-3) began the game on defense, though a fumble recovery by sophomore Nate Howard would quickly give the visitors the football and decent field position. Thanks to a clutch third down conversion pass from Kearney to senior wide receiver Ryan Cooney, the Saints were able to march the ball down the field and complete a 10-play, 77-yard drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by junior tail back Connor Hackett. Senior Matt Popov added the extra point for a 7-0 St. Lawrence lead.