BANGOR, Maine — Husson University boasted one of the stingiest defenses in all of Division III football last fall.
The Eagles allowed only 271 yards per game (to rank 11th) and also limited opponents to 17.1 points per contest (34th).
This season, second-year coach Gabby Price hopes his squad can complement the defense with a more efficient offense as it tries to build on a 5-5 record.
Husson, which returns 15 starters, has the benefit of understanding the system Price and his staff want implemented.
“The veterans have been just terrific, showing the way that we like to practice and play,” said Price, whose team opens its season Saturday with a noon game at Alfred University (New York).
The Eagles’ defense bounced back in 2013 after ranking among the most porous in the country a year earlier.
The group features senior co-captain Stephan Dance, an All-Eastern Collegiate Football Conference standout (103 tackles), who has moved from linebacker to strong safety.
“We thought we had to get better back there, and moving Stephan back there strengthens it,” Price said of the secondary, where sophomore co-captain Rick Orio (28 tackles) also has moved from safety to cornerback.
Jordan Hersom of Turner, a junior transfer from Springfield College, steps in at free safety, while junior Marquis Jimenez, an injury casualty in 2013, mans the other corner.
The Eagles’ linebacker corps is headed by sophomore Ellis Throckmorton of Bangor (80 tackles), senior Nelson Perez (30 tackles) and junior Bryant Wade.
There is depth in the line, where junior Jack Goldberg (28 tackles) and senior James York of Phippsburg at the ends flank juniors Ian Palmer of Readfield (18 tackles) and Matt Pellerin of Leeds, a transfer from the University of Maine. Senior Stevens LaGuerre is another veteran.
“They really run to the football, play with great intensity,” Price said of the defense. “They have great passion, collectively, on that side of the ball.”
Husson is revamping its offense. The staff looks to combine a spread look with a two-back scheme in an effort to diversify.
Joe Seccareccia of Bangor returns at quarterback after joining the Eagles last fall. The junior, who completed 33 of 66 passes for 399 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in 2013, is more familiar with the system.
“We’re ahead there just because there’s some continuity,” Price said.
Starting tailback Ryan Dorso, a senior co-captain from Farmingdale, netted 391 yards with four TDs last season. He has been sidelined by a leg injury, which thrusts sophomore Kyle McKinnon (341 yards, 4 TDs) into a starting role.
Sophomore Logan Steward of Hampden, the No. 4 tackler at linebacker a year ago, was switched to running back, and freshman John Smith is in the mix.
The Eagles have moved players around to put more speed on the field at the receiver positions. Junior co-captain Josiah Hartley of Bangor (17 receptions, 184 yards), senior UMaine transfer Ryan Stroud of Dover-Foxcroft (9-117) and senior Shabashe McIntosh, a converted tailback join sophomores Deon Wiggins and Kadeem Edge as the top threats.
“We think the strength is we’re going to throw the football more,” Price offered. “We thought we had to get faster at some positions and spread the field more vertically and horizontally.”
Senior Caleb King of Cumberland (2-14, 1 TD) also returns at tight end. He lines up alongside a front line led by senior tackle Matt Archer of Chesterville and guard Alex Young, a senior co-captain from Rockland.
Senior Alex Martin-Wallace of South Portland is the center while sophomore Jon Walker of Falmouth and classmate Seth Batty of Spruce Head fill the other spots.
“We’re better up front because of a year of experience,” Price said.
“We’d like to be a little more balanced, run and pass, but I think you still need to run the football to win,” he added.
On special teams, McIntosh is a big-play threat as he led Division III last fall with a 37.2-yard kickoff return average. Freshman Ron Hargrove also will fill that role.
One concern for the Eagles could be its kicking game. Freshman Josh Gray of Bucksport, the 2013 LTC Player of the Year, and senior Seth Freudenberger of Bangor, a former soccer player, are vying for place-kicking duties, while freshman Josh Wyzik will handle punts.