Bears Land A Couple Of Late Transfers

Scott Downing is bringing in a couple if I-A transfers to help his team try to make some waves in their first year as a member of the Big Sky.

* DAVID DYCHES: Senior place-kicker, (6-foot-1, 180) transfer from the University of Nebraska. Kicked 14 field goals as a freshman (2003), scoring a team-high 74 points. Was good on field goals from 23, 20, 29 and 26 yards against Utah State, then hit 4-of-5 a week later against Penn State. A career-long 46 yard field goal against Texas Tech highlighted his sophomore year. Was named as an honorable mention All-American by rivals.com after his freshman season. He was one of two place-kickers the Cornhuskers used his sophomore season. Last season, Dyches had a sporadic season, but was primarily used on kickoffs while the Cornhuskers used Jordan Congdon handled most of the place-kicking duties and was a freshman All-American.

* BRIAN BARMANN: Sophomore tight end, (6-3, 225) transfer from the University of Missouri. Played in 10 games for the Tigers last season as redshirt freshman. Had a prolific high-school career at West Platte High School (Mo.), setting state records in career receiving yards (3,754); and career receptions (226). Caught 42 touchdowns in high school and recorded 25 interceptions as a safety. As a senior, he caught 60 passes for 987 yards and 14 touchdowns. Was named as a high school All-American by Student Sports Magazine.

A solid kicking game is an underrated part of football, and Dyches looks to bring just that, being an All-American honorable mention as a freshman, before being beaten out by an All-American freshman, Jordan Congdon.

Barmann looks to be the biggest pickup here. At 6'3, 225, he might have to add a couple more pounds, depending on what kind of TE they want him to be. But starting 10 games as a RSFR for a I-A program is no small potatoes, and he will have three years of eligibility left at UNC. Also, he was named most-improved TE of the spring, but is buried at 3rd on the depth chart.