BANGOR – The success of any football team begins and ends with its offensive and defensive lines.

Fourth-year Husson College coach Gabby Price is blessed this season with several veterans up front and hopes the “big boys” can help the Eagles continue their improvement.

“I think the strength of our team is the offensive and defensive lines,” Price said. “They’re all veterans. They’re tough.”

The defensive line is spearheaded by senior Tyler Libbey of Mattawamkeag (23 tackles in 2005) and junior Shane Rogers (38 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks). Rogers earned All-East third-team recognition by D3football.com last season.

Junior Joe Melcher of Portland and sophomore Jon Benson of Biddeford are other keys.

“Our defensive front is as good as any team we’re going to play,” Price said.

The offensive line is paced by seniors A.J. Buzzell of Bath, Mike Closson of Boothbay and Tom Lasko of Lincoln, juniors Jason Cross of Winterport and Matt Benson of Biddeford, and sophomore Josh Pinkney.

Husson has put 102 players through their paces in preparation for Saturday’s season opener at Division II Pace. Among those are 54 freshmen who have replaced the six departed seniors and more than 40 other players who departed.

While the Eagles have progressed from a winless campaign in 2003 to a 3-4 record last season, they face a challenging 10-game schedule that includes a road game at Division I-AA La Salle (Pa.) and a home contest against Springfield.

The Eagles are working with a blend of veterans and newcomers. The roster includes 61 Maine high school grads and standouts from nine states, including 12 from Connecticut.

“Coaches Nat Clark and Kevin Magouirk have done a tremendous job improving our recruiting,” Price said.

Last season, Husson’s defensive play helped pave the way to improvement. The Eagles ranked 45th nationally in total defense (292.1 yards per game) in Division III and were sixth in pass efficiency defense at 85.9.

The Eagles must replace leading tackler Bobby Gilbert (40.5), who transferred to I-AA Albany. Junior linebacker Ross Salovitch (33 tackles) will help set the tone for the defense along with seniors Josh Lemieux of Bailey Island and Bryan Biggers, and junior Jon Tefft of Lisbon.

Other keys include safety Matt Gamache, cornerback Rameal Barton and linebacker Cory Smith of South Paris.

“Defensively, they’ve found an identity,” Price said. “We have a lot more quickness than we’ve ever had.”

On offense, the Eagles will be in the capable hands of senior quarterback David Chase of Sabattus, a third-year starter who completed 62 of 131 passes last season (975 yards, nine touchdowns, 11 interceptions).

“David’s gotten better each year,” Price said. “He knows the system and we couldn’t ask for anything more from him.”

Husson also has retooled its backfield after losing top rushers Julius Williams and Ryan Leon (combined 893 yards, 11 TDs), who helped the Eagles rank 34th in rushing offense (205.4 ypg) in 2005.

Sophomore Darius Charlton is the leading veteran ballcarrier (76 carries, 307 yards). Converted fullback Tristan Hayes of Portland and newcomer Bryan Ferguson also will run behind fullback Shawn McCurdy of Westbrook.

“The offense just needs to find its identity again,” Price said.

Jeremy Shorey of Lisbon leads the veteran receivers (12 catches, 203 yds., 2 TDs) after Kyle Poissonnier transferred to Albany. Andre Wildman and Lincoln’s Dustin Hanscom are other primary targets.

Husson averaged a healthy 30.6 points and 358 yards per outing last season.

Tefft (36.9-yard average) reprises his role as the punter while place-kicker Darren Gauthier of Durham is being pushed by Bangor’s Tyson Barron.