The Husson University football team will kick-off their season Saturday, September 5 at Merrimack College.  New Head Coach Niles Nelson has 10 starters returning on offense and 6 returning on defense as the Eagles prepare for their first season in the new Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. 

The offense will be led by returning starting quarterback James McCandless (So., Hollywood Hills, FL).  McCandless threw for 1080 yards and 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.  He will be aided by an experienced backfield.  Julius Williams (Sr., Boston, MA) and Justin Lindie (Jr., Brewer, ME) both return in the backfield as well as starting fullback James Bonnell.  They combined for 2,163 yards (Williams 1,293 and Lindie 843) leading a strong rushing game. An experienced and big offensive line will open up the running holes and protect McCandless.  All-New England performer Jon Benson (Sr., Biddeford, ME) anchors the offensive line which also includes Ben Emmontt (Sr., Woolwich, ME), Ryan Coleman (So., Lewiston, ME), Ryan Esmail (Sr., New Britain, CT), and Jason Cross (Sr., Hampden, ME).  The receiving group is also in tack as James Dobson (Sr., Berwick, ME), Roderic Johnson (Jr., Bloomfield, CT) and tight end PJ Dowe (Sr., Bangor, ME) all return.  Also, Victor McKenzie (So., Manchester, CT) has returned after a year absence.    

The defense has an experienced secondary led by returning starters Doug Blades (Sr., Norwich, CT), and Kyle Vanidestine (So., Bangor, ME).  Ramael Barton (Sr., Danbury, CT) also returns who was a starter in 2008.  Vanidestine was second on the team with 39.5 tackles.  Tom and Mike Hersom (So., Sidney, ME) will add depth to the secondary.  Bobby Gilbert (Sr., Beaver Cove, ME) who was third on the team in tackles with 37.5 a year ago, anchors the linebackers with Obed Rinvil (Jr., Paterson, NJ), Dillon Shaw (So., Augusta, ME), and Keenon Blindow (Sr., Morgan, VT).  The defensive front will see three sophomores new to the starting line-up, Chris Dalecki (So., Eliot, ME), Kyle Romick (So., Chester, NH), and Nick Keene (So., Auburn, ME).

Lindie will handle the kickoff returns, a year ago he averaged 24.06 yards a return good for #58^th in the country.  McCandless will handle the punting duties and new kicker Carlos Romero (Fy., Coral Springs, FL) will do the kickoffs. 

Husson finished 7-3 a year ago and hosted the ECAC Northeast Bowl.  This was their first post season appearance in their 6 year history.  They enter the ECFC this year and look for the first conference title in November.