2008 Record 7-3 .700 Overall 7-1 .875 Conference Location: Bridgewater, MA Head Coach: Charles Denune (Heidelberg '98) Stadium (cap.): Swenson (2000) Conference: NEFC Bogan Region: East 2009 Schedule

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State College Bears will kick-off the 2009 college football season on Saturday, September 5th at Swenson Field against non-conference foe Mount Ida College. The 2009 campaign marks the 50th season of BSC football since the programs return to the field back in 1960.

Fifth-year head coach, Chuck Denune (30-10, .750), has high expectations for the 2009 Bears. Coming off a 7-3 season in 2008, Coach Denune has his sights set on a New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division title and a berth in the NEFC Championship Game.

After struggling to a 1-3 start in 2008, the Bears won each of their last six games, outscoring their opponents by a margin of 234 to 98 over that period. BSC captured a share of the New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division title along with Maine Maritime Academy. It was the Mariners, however, that would advance to the NEFC Championships game by virtue of their regular season win over the Bears.

After sitting out a year due to injury, senior quarterback Steve Clark (East Falmouth, MA) returns as the Bears signal-caller in 2009. Clark’s QB rating heading into the upcoming season is an impressive 161.91. He has completed 75 of 127 pass attempts (.591) in his career for 1,148 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,159 yards and ten scores.

With the loss of third all-time leading rusher Bruce Burley (2.636 yards), the running back situation will be interesting to watching in preseason camp. Junior Jeff Creeden (Mansfield, MA) started opposite Burley in the offensive backfield a year ago and is expected to see his share of carries in 2009. Creeden rushed for 472 yards and five touchdowns last season and also caught five passes for 63 yards and another score. Seniors Jason Azulay (Seekonk, MA) and Mike Moitoza (Taunton, MA) as well as junior Jared Ulak (Rehoboth, MA) will also be in the mix in the backfield, and they will be pushed for playing time by incoming freshmen and transfers.

In 2008, Jesse Teixeira (Taunton, MA) became the ninth player in BSC football history to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving barrier. The senior wide out and First Team All-NEFC Bogan Division selection, brings 43 catches, 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns into the upcoming campaign. Senior transfer Dominique Beck (Brockton, MA) is expected to make a push for the other starting receiver spot. Beck, who was an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Brockton High School, will also serve time as a back-up quarterback.

Senior Tony Cina (Hanson, MA) has been one of the best tight ends in the conference since coming to BSC back in 2006. Cina, a two-time All-NEFC Bogan Division First Team selection, is an outstanding blocker at the end of the Bears’ offensive line. He hasn’t missed a game in his three seasons and has caught eight passes for 178 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Freshman Evan Taylor out of Stoughton will give the Bears outstanding depth at the tight end spot. Taylor played in the Shriners Game and caught a two-yard touchdown pass to help the South team defeat the North, 27-6.

Senior guards Jeff Smith (Danvers, MA) and Joel Nunes (Taunton, MA) are the two returning starters on an offensive line that was instrumental in the Bears’ racking up 2,909 yards on the ground and 4,166 yards of total offense. Smith was one of three BSC offensive linemen named to the All-Bogan Division First Team a year ago. Tackles Dan Nunes (Sr., Taunton, MA) and Andrew Carr (Jr., Winchester, MA) along with center Chris Grande (Jr., New Bedford, MA) will vie for starting spots as well. Coach Denune has a great deal of depth coming into camp on the o-line thanks to a strong incoming group which includes freshman Mike D’Attilio of North Attleboro and Kurt Merrick from Mashpee, and junior transfer Drew Robinson out of Baltimore, Maryland. D’Attilio also played in the Shriners Game on the winning South team.

Sophomore Mike Pettus (Concord, MA) is expected to take over the place kicking duties with the departure of Dave Leombruno. Pettus is also the incumbent at the punting position. He punted 32 times for an average of 30.9 yards with a long of 55 in 2008.

Chris Dijak (Lunenburg, MA) returns to anchor the defensive line. The senior defensive tackle has amassed 173 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 14 ½ sacks over his first three seasons. Dijak earned All-Bogan Division First Team honors for the second straight season in 2008. Senior Steve Tripp (North Dighton, MA) and juniors Dean Daley (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) and Garrett Dyer (Easthampton, MA) will battle for starting spots on the d-line. The trio combined for 60 tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss a year ago. That group will be pushed for playing time by freshman newcomers Billy Provost of Stoughton and Paul Melicharek of Glen Rock, New Jersey.

The linebacking corp has three returning starters in the lineup led by two-time All-Bogan Division selection Casey Florence (Sr., Bridgewater, MA) who led the team with 56 tackles (40 solo) in 2008. Joining Florence at linebacker are seniors John Ferbert (East Bridgewater, MA) and Jason Flannery (Bridgewater, MA). Ferbert recorded 49 tackles last season to go along with two sacks. Flannery earned Second Team honors on the NEFC All-Bogan Division Team as he tallied 52 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and an interception.

Junior Tim Powling (Orange, MA) and sophomore Ricky Stoltz (Hull, MA) will provide more depth at linebacker after missing all of last season. Powling recorded 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss as well as a pair of interceptions over eight games back in 2007. Incoming players PatrickDaly (North Bridgton, ME), Brian Duggan (Guilford, CT) and Anthony Ferzoco (Stoughton, MA), and will also push for playing time at the linebacker position.

The secondary will get a big boost from the return of free safety Josh Duquette (Jr., Plymouth, MA). Duquette was a First Team All-Bogan Division player in 2007 as he recorded six interceptions and nine pass breakups to go along with 28 tackles. Junior John Farroba (North Attleboro, MA) is also back in the starting lineup at safety. Farroba notched 42 tackles, three interceptions and three pass breakups a year ago.

Coach Denune will have to fill the gap left by the loss of starting cornerbacks, John Bascon and Andrae Murphy. Sophomore Kevin Laudano (Wallingford, CT) and junior transfer Gerald Harris (Baltimore, MD) will head to camp looking to fill those roles.