RI native Dorbor ready to run

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Alfred Dorbor entered the season as Bryant's top returning rusher from a season ago. Through five games, however, he had carried the ball just 14 times for 22 yards.

That all changed last Saturday when the bruising back rushed for a career-high 138 yards and the game-winning touchdown on a career-high 31 carries in Bryant's 24-17 victory over Merrimack.

"I had been facing some difficulty the first couple of weeks of the season staying healthy but for the position I play, unfortunately, it's very normal to be dinged up," Dorbor said. "I knew that if I just continued to control what I could control, such as working hard in practice, doing treatment and keeping faith in myself and God, my opportunity would present itself again."

Last Saturday was a great sign for a Bryant football team that has been dinged up a great deal in the backfield. In what was expected to be a vaunted backfield, Dorbor's and teammates Daniel Adeboboye (Toronto, Ont.) and Isaac McCray (Middletown, R.I.), have all missed time with injuries this season.

Adeboboye carried the ball 59 times for 231 yards and two TDs in the first three weeks of the season before missing the last three games. McCray returned at the same time Adeboboye went down and posted 168 yards from scrimmage in two games before missing the Merrimack contest.

"When healthy, this team's run game can be very dangerous," Dorbor said. "We have a great group up front who get after it every day with coach Ciocci and have been doing a great job for us this season. I believe our best is yet to come."

That's a good sign for both the Black and Gold and for Dorbor. A Pawtucket native, Dorbor was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Rhode Island in 2014 after rushing for 1,305 yards and 26 touchdowns at St. Raphael's. After spending a postgrad year at Blair Academy, Dorbor came home to play his college ball at Bryant.

"It's been a great experience playing in the state of Rhode Island," Dorbor said. "You feel a different type of love when you're playing in front of people who love and support you way past just the game of football."

In 23 career games, he's averaging 4.2 yards per carry and has scored nine touchdowns. He credits a great deal of his development to the mental part of the game. Dorbor has the physical attributes to run through or around any defender he faces, but its his knowledge of angles, defensive concepts and situational football that has pushed him to another level.

That was on display last Saturday as he grinded out yardage and also picked up chunk plays. In fact, he displayed his entire skill set on Bryant's game-winning drive as he posted runs of 5, 8 and 5 before bouncing outside for a 16-yard run. He then capped the drive by breaking two tackles on his way to the endzone. Dorbor's 31 carries are the most by a Bryant running back since Isaac's older brother Rico carried the ball 34 times against Sacred Heart in 2015.

"I was locked in trying to finish the game and doing everything in my power to secure the win," Dorbor said. "The team had been long overdue for a win. It was a great feeling to finally come out on top and knowing I played a role made it that much sweeter."

Now Dorbor and the Bulldogs have their eyes set on conference newcomer Long Island University. The Sharks are allowing just 137.5 yards per game and just over three yards per carry on the year.

"We have seen from film they have athletes that can make plays and we are looking forward to the challenge this Saturday," Dorbor said."