Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Photo by: DSPics
Photo by: DSPics
Posted: Oct 17, 2013

Bulldogs, Pioneers meet Saturday at 1 pm

Photos Audio Video Live stats Recap Box Score
Game Leaders
Bryant
Pa: M. Westerhaus - 248
Ru: Ryan Black - 43
Rec: Jordan Harris - 163
Sacred Heart
Pa: RJ Noel - 192
Ru: Keshaudas Spence - 180
Rec: Tyler Dube - 74
Team Stats

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team returns to Northeast Conference play this weekend when it welcomes Sacred Heart to Bulldog Stadium for a matchup of two of the top teams in the league. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES

LAST TIME OUT - Bryant 14 - Brown 41

Bryant jumped out to a 14-7 lead just seven minutes into the game last week but Brown rattled off the next 34 points on its way to a 41-14 victory on Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. It was just the second loss on homecoming for the Bulldogs under coach Fine. The Black and Gold forced a fumble on the opening kickoff and turned into seven points as Tyler McIntyre (Chico, Calif.) scored on a three-yard plunge. After Brown answered, Ryan Black (Joppa, Md.) put the Bulldogs back on top with a 15-yard touchdown run. The Bears, however, needed just two plays to tie the game and never looked back, putting up 505 yards of total offense on the afternoon. Black finished with a career-high 137 yards.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

Coming off a 2-9 season in 2012, the Pioneers have been one of the best defensive teams in the country this season and it has resulted in a 6-1 record. Sacred Heart evened its league record at 1-1 with a dominant 59-36 victory over Nutmeg State rival Central Connecticut.

Sacred Heart's defense has been outstanding this season, holding opponents to just 99 yards rushing per game while intercepting 14 passes and collecting 22 sacks. The Pioneers are currently eighth in the country in rush defense and second nationally in interceptions. Kellen Sperduto leads the defense with 62 tackles, while J.D. Roussell has intercepted four passes.
Sacred Heart's offense hasn't been too shabby either, averaging 40 points per game this season. Redshirt-freshman quarterback RJ Noel has infused the offense, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,315 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's also rushed for 376 yards and four scores. Keshaudas Spence is coming off a career-high 211 yards against CCSU and is averaging 117 yards per game with eight touchdowns. Tyler Dube is the teams top receiver, hauling in 31 passes for 529 yards and five touchdowns.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES

Bryant has enjoyed success against Sacred Heart since moving to the Division I ranks in 2008. The two teams met for the first time in 2009 with the Pioneers taking a 24-14 victory in Fairfield. The Bulldogs, however, have won the last three meetings, including a 34-14 victory last season on Senior Day. In 2011, Bryant and Sacred Heart squared off on national TV and the Black and Gold came away with a 26-6 victory. Last season, Bryant raced out to a 24-0 lead thanks to a pair of Jordan Harris touchdown receptions and a 48-yard interception return by Charles Wingate (Englewood, N.J.).

BLACK HAS CAREER DAY VS. BROWN

Sophomore Ryan Black made the most of his first opportunity as Bryant's featured back this past weekend against Brown. With the Bulldogs' top two rushers out for the game, Black was called on to produce and he did, carrying the ball 24 times for a career-high 137 yards and a touchdown. Black did not appear in a game as a freshman and entered the afternoon with just four career carries to his name. He made an immediate impact as he found a hole and exploded for a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Black and Gold a 14-7 lead early in the first quarter. Black averaged 5.7 yards per carry.