Record six Bulldogs named Preseason All-NEC

MEADOWLANDS, N.J. – A record six members of the Bryant University football team were named to the Preseason All-Northeast Conference team announced Tuesday at #NECFB Social Media Day at MetLife Stadium. 

Seniors Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.), Tom Kennedy (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Dillon Guthro (Newburyport, Mass.) and Kevin Lazo (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and juniors Jean Constant (Delray Beach, Fla.) and Gavin Rowley (Hempstead, Md.) were listed on the preseason All-NEC team. Bryant's six preseason All-NEC selections are the highest in the Bulldogs' 10 seasons as a member of the NEC.

The reigning NEC and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, Costigan returns for his final season in Smithfield as one of the premier players in the NEC. He posted 103 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss during a magical junior season that saw him become the fourth AP All-American in program history.

Kennedy was an All-NEC First Team selection last fall after leading the Bulldogs with 57 catches for 888 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for three touchdowns, finishing second in the NEC with 12 total touchdowns. Kennedy posted five 100-yard receiving games in his first football action since high school.

Guthro was also an All-NEC First Team selection in 2017 and is back for his fifth and final year this fall. He's appeared and started all 22 games over the last two seasons, posting 86 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss.

The national leader in blocked kicks last year, Lazo is also back for his fifth and final year in Smithfield. Lazo earned All-NEC Second Team honors in 2017 after posting 41 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 tackles for a loss and four blocked kicks. He's played in all but one game over the last three seasons.

Constant burst on the scene last fall, earning All-NEC First Team honors as a kick returner and All-NEC Second Team honors as a wide receiver. He also earned All-American honors as a returner from STATS FCS and Phil Steele. Constant 36 kicks for a program-record 989 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the season second nationally with 1,019 combined kick return yards. He added 48 catches for 594 yards and seven touchdowns, finishing the season fifth nationally with 148.45 all-purpose yards per game.

Rowley became the first kicker in DI program history to earn All-NEC honors last fall and is now the first kicker to earn preseason All-NEC honors. He led the NEC with a 77.8 field goal percentage, making 7-of-9 on the season. Rowley was also 36-of-38 on PATs, finishing tied for third with 57 points.  

In addition, the Black and Gold received one first-place vote and were picked to finish third in the annual preseason coaches poll.

Bryant opens the 2018 season at home on September 1 against the University of New Haven. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Season tickets for all five Bryant home games are AVAILABLE NOW.