Brown pushes past Bryant on Homecoming

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore running back Ryan Black (Joppa, Md.) rushed for a career-high 137 yards and a touchdown but Brown put up 505 yards of total offense on its way to a 41-14 victory over the Bryant University football team on Homecoming and Reunion Weekend at Bulldog Stadium Saturday.

The Bulldogs (3-3) have now lost their last two games overall and their last two homecoming games under head coach Marty Fine after eight-straight wins. The Bears (3-1) have now won each of their last two games.

Saturday's weather was a perfect indicator at how the game on the field transpired. The day started with a blue skies and sunshine but ended with dark clouds and a chilly mist. On the field, Brown fumbled the opening kickoff and Bryant jumped out to an early 14-7 lead only to see the Bears score the final 34 points.

Reilley Higgins fielded the game's opening kickoff at his own one-yard line but senior Jordan Harris (Lincoln University, Pa.) chased him down and knocked the ball loose at the Brown 18. Junior Gary Laucks (York, Pa.) quickly pounced on the loose ball and the Black and Gold went to work. Senior Mike Westerhaus (Farmingville, N.Y.) connected with Harris for 23 yards to put the ball inside the five and junior transfer Tyler McIntyre (Chico, Calif.) punched it in from three yards out two plays later for his first career touchdown.

Beginning a trend, the Bears quickly responded to tie the game. They needed just five plays to go 73 yards in 1:49. John Spooney had rushes of 17 and 13 to start the drive and Pat Donnelly found Jordan Evans wide open for a 34-yard score to tie the game at 7-7.

Bryant swung right back, going 81 yards in eight plays to regain the lead. A 19-yard completion to Harris started the drive and a unsportsmanlike penalty on Brown gave the Bulldogs a first down to keep the drive alive. Westerhaus then hit sophomore Chad Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) for 29 yards and Black followed by exploding to the outside for a 15-yard touchdown run, the first touchdown of his career to make it 14-7 with 8:12 remaining in the first quarter.

It was all Brown after that, however, as the Bears scored the next 34 points. They tied the game in just two plays as Donnelly connected with Tellef Lundevall for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Brown forced a three-and-out on Bryant's next possession and then drove 84 yards in eight plays and Alex Norocea capped it with a 23-yard field goal to give the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.

The Bears went on to score on their next three possessions as Donnelly connected with Evans for 14-yard score to make it 24-14 with 13:33 left in the second quarter. Jordan Reisner then capped an 11-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 31-14 with 7:20 left in the second quarter. Norocea completed the half with a 38-yard field goal with just five seconds remaining.

Brown's defense did the rest in the second half, holding the Black and Gold to just 32 yards of total offense in the third quarter. Donnelly's 22-yard touchdown pass to Higgins capped a 12-play drive and completed Brown's scoring on the afternoon with 2:09 left in the third quarter.

Seeing his first full playing time in his career, Black turned in an outstanding performance, rushing for 137 yards on 24 carries. Junior Michael Perry (Dunmore, Pa.) added 40 yards and Westerhaus finished with 167 yards passing. Harris caught six passes for 92 yards. Defensively, Brandon Dagnesses (Miami, Fla.) led the team with six tackles, while junior Maduka Nwanekezi (Milton, Mass.) picked up two more tackles for a loss to raise his season total to 13.5.

The Bulldogs are back at home next weekend when they host Sacred Heart in a Northeast Conference game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.