Bulldogs picked fourth in NEC preseason poll; Cardoze, Wingate named to Preseason All-NEC team

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team was picked to finish fourth in the annual Northeast Conference Football Coaches Poll, while seniors Tyler Cardoze (Corona, N.Y.) and Charles Wingate (Englewood, N.J.) were named to the Preseason All-NEC team on Thursday afternoon during the second annual NEC Football Social Media Day at MetLife Stadium.

Picked to finish fourth, the Bulldogs enter the 2016 season with the second-most wins in the league since 2009. Defending champion Duquesne was the unanimous selection to repeat as champions, while Sacred Heart (remaining first-place vote) and Saint Francis U. round out the top three. Central Connecticut, Robert Morris and Wagner were selected 5-7. Last season, Bryant defeated both the Dukes and the Red Flash on its way to finishing .500 (3-3) or better in NEC play for the seventh-straight year.

A First Team All-NEC selection last season, Cardoze returns for his final season in Smithfield this fall. Cardoze made eight starts at left guard last year and was part of a unit that allowed just 12 sacks, the fewest in the NEC. The Black and Gold offense thrived with his protection, producing the league's top passer and rusher during the 2015 season. QB Dalton Easton (Miami, Fla.) set a program record with over 2,600 passing yards, while RB Ricardo McCray finished fifth in the country in rushing yards per game.

Wingate earned Second Team All-NEC honors last fall after proving himself as one of the top shutdown corners in the league. He finished with 38 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and a team-high seven pass breakups. Wingate returned his only interception 50 yards for a touchdown against Holy Cross, and made 12 tackles and had a hand in three turnovers over the final two games of the year. Wingate enters his final season with 129 tackles, five interceptions and 16 pass breakups.

The Bulldogs open their 2016 season on Sept. 3 when they host Merrimack at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m.