Bryant taking it up a notch

Marty Fine led Bryant to an 8-3 record last season, but the schedule gets tougher in 2008. (Photo courtesy Bryant University)

He is well traveled, with coaching stops from coast to coast: Sonoma State, Indiana State, Colgate, Indiana University, Iowa State, and now Bryant University.

In Marty Fine's mind, it's all college football, whether it's Division 1, 2, or 3.

"I've coached all levels, high school to the Big Ten . . . and called the plays against Oklahoma, Michigan, and Penn State," said Fine. "You're coaching young men."

This season, Fine's fifth on the Smithfield, R.I., campus, the Bulldogs, along with the university's 21 other varsity programs, are on the move, from Division 2 to 1.

After 25 practices since they reported to camp Aug. 8, the preparation is complete. The two-time defending Northeast-10 Conference champions will kick off the new era tomorrow afternoon, hitting the road to tackle future Northeast Conference foe Central Connecticut State.

Quite a remarkable leap for a program that only started football in 1999.

"I can't wait to get started," said senior captain Bryan Wood of Westborough, the starting fullback. "It's new competition, at a higher level."

"It's a wonderful opportunity," said Fine, who guided the Bulldogs to an 8-3 mark last fall that ended with an NCAA playoff loss to Southern Connecticut State. "I've never done anything quite like this. But the kids are excited about the challenge. Every kid dreams of playing Division 1 college football."

The transition will not be complete until 2012, when Bryant becomes a full-fledged Division 1 program, and will be eligible for postseason competition.

The 35 members of Bryant's freshman class will never be able to compete for a playoff berth, but according to Fine, "There's never been any talk about that. Every senior we've had has graduated here. Football is a great vehicle. You're recruited, and you get an education. All of those things have value."

This year, the Bulldogs will face nine opponents from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division 1-AA), including fifth-ranked Massachusetts Oct. 25.

In its lone matchup against a Division 1 opponent last fall, Bryant was shut out by Stony Brook, 30-0. The Bulldogs are 0-3 against Division 1 teams.

"We're going to play the best teams that we can and maintain our academic integrity," said Fine. "We're used to being successful. We expect to go out and play, and play hard. It's a process. We're going full speed ahead."

The Bulldogs will do so with 11 returning starters, including six on offense. Junior Jay Graber steps in behind center to orchestrate Fine's Power-I set, handing off to a talented trio of backs in juniors Lindsey Gamble and Jerell Smith, and sophomore Michael Canfora.

"All three will get touches, and all three offer something different," said Fine.

The 5-foot-9-inch, 160-pound Gamble, a Boston native, bulled his way for a team-leading 941 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago, while the 5-9, 180-pound Smith "will make you miss him in a phone booth," according to Fine. The coach calls Canfora the team's best all-around back.

"We're a downhill-running team, and we're always going to have depth there," said Fine.

With tremendous speed, senior defensive end Don Smith of Attleboro has the ability to be a force off the edge, and the Gauthier twins of Woonsocket, R.I., juniors Pat and Peter, are anchors of the offensive line. Senior captain Dan Curci and junior Paul Polomski of Franklin set the tone with their tenacious play at linebacker, and senior cornerback Bryce Martins is the top returnee in the secondary.

"[The Division 1] game is a lot faster, but we're more worried about us and what we're doing," said Polomski. "There's nothing better than making the playoffs or winning the conference championship [in Division 2], but the challenge of playing Division 1 is pretty great. You can tell all your friends that you play Division 1 college football. Right now, everyone is pretty excited around the whole campus."

It's a student body that has fully supported the program from the start. Bryant led the Northeast-10 in home attendance a year ago.

"Ten to 20 years from now, these players can look back and remember that they were part of this, and helped lead us into Division 1," said Fine. "Our strength is the character of the kids."

Craig Larson can be reached at clarson@globe.com