Worcester, MA --- As Worcester State University prepares for its 2014 season, veteran coach Brien Cullen has 159 career wins. Unfortunately, he's been stuck on that number since late September 2013.

Cullen and the Lancers are hoping that No. 160 comes when they play their opener Friday night against Anna Maria College.

Still, Cullen's 159th triumph remains unforgettable. Against Mass. Maritime, the Lancers scored with 2 seconds left to win, 64-63. And yes, you read that score correctly.

The game set a national record for combined plays (230) and the Lancers improved to 3-1, but then their season slid downhill.

After the Maritime marathon, the Lancers played with intensity in October and November, but lost six in a row to finish 3-7. They lost close contests to UMass-Dartmouth (34-33) and Plymouth State (34-31).

Cullen is encouraged by a strong recruiting class plus several valuable veterans. He's hopeful the Lancers can contend for the MASACAC crown this year.

"We're very excited," said Cullen, now in his 32nd year. "With some great young talent coming in and a strong senior class, we should be competitive. We have 114 kids in our program now."

The senior captains are quarterback Kevin Bumpus, along with talented wide receiver Jack Sprague and rugged defensive ends Bryan Narcisse and Zack Skerry.

Bumpus returns after injuries sidelined him last season. In limited action, he tossed 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"I think we're going to have a very good year," Bumpus said. "We've got a great group of seniors and some other very good players."

Cullen, who played at Worcester State in the mid-1970s and began coaching the Lancers in 1983, praised the support of new Worcester State athletic director Michael Mudd and university President Barry Maloney.

"All our skilled kids return," Cullen said. "But we needed to work on our offensive line, so we went out and I think we got some pretty good guys. But they're young, so it all depends on how fast they progress."

Bumpus will be backed up by senior Pat Viencek, who threw for 1,960 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.

At running back, juniors Kemani Jones, Matt Lezama and Antone Wilson as well as newcomer John Ojukwu, who starred for Nashoba Regional, will all see plenty of action.

The Lancers are blessed with a deep corps of wide receivers highlighted by Sprague and senior Arron Witkus, who caught the thrilling winning pass against Mass. Maritime last year.

Also returning for his final season is tight end Casey Hippert, the former Northbridge High star who earned a nod to the D3football.com All-East Region team last year.

He hauled in 62 passes and led all tight ends in receiving yardage nationally (1,050 yards) while scoring eight touchdowns.

"For us to be successful this year, we have to play a lot better on defense," Cullen said.

Leading the way up front are Narcisse, a 2012 D3football.com All-East pick who was second in the conference in tackles for a loss (16½) and sacks (8½), and Skerry, who chipped in with 9½ tackles for a loss, 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.

Returning to help shore up the defensive line are juniors Conor Sayles and Samuel Weeks. Freshmen Aaron Dyke from Auburn and Gaston Pastorino from Fitchburg should make contributions in the pass rush.

Senior defensive back Mike Goulden led the squad with four interceptions and four pass deflections last season.

After the opener against Anna Maria, the Lancers complete their nonconference slate with an evening game at WPI on Sept. 12. Then the MASCAC campaign kicks in with a home game against Bridgewater State on Sept. 20.

"Bridgewater is a big game and then down the road obviously Western Connecticut and Framingham State, both on the road," Cullen said. "Our schedule is tough, and our group has taken the no-week-off approach in the offseason. In this league, anyone can beat anyone."

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