Bulldogs shock Stony Brook, 13-7, on opening night

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Sophomore Dalton Easton's (Miami, Fla.) 37-yard touchdown pass to junior Chad Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) gave the Bryant University football team the lead in the third quarter, and the defense did the rest as the Bulldogs knocked off CAA-member Stony Brook on Thursday night at LaValle Stadium.

In one of the biggest wins in Bryant's Division I football history, the Black and Gold (1-0) held the Seawolves (0-1) to just eight first downs and only 186 yards of offense on the night. It is the program's first victory over a member of the CAA.

Trailing 7-6 at the half, the Bulldogs were able to take the lead in the third quarter on a huge fourth-down conversion. The drive started at Bryant's own 36 as Easton connected with Ward for a quick 15-yard gain. Junior Paul Canevari (Warwick, N.Y.) followed with a nine-yard run and sophomore Hunter Taute (Norfolk, Mass.) was able to get the first down with a two-yard run. Three plays later, however, the Bulldogs found themselves facing 4th-and-8 from the SBU 37. Easton faked a handoff before firing a strike to left side that Ward caught before diving across the goal line to give the Bulldogs the lead with 8:17 left.

A defensive battle throughout, the Bulldogs' defense shined brightest at the end of the game. Stony Brook forced the Bulldogs to punt from deep inside their own end and took over at the Bryant 46 with just 5:25 left in the game. Stacey Bedell gained seven yards on second down but was stopped for a loss of a yar on third down. The Seawolves called timeout to discuss their fourth-down play but the plan didn't pan out. John Kinder dropped back to pass and threw over the middle of the field right into the waiting arms of Sebastian Amedee (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). The senior safety returned it to the Seawolves' 35, giving the Bulldogs great field position.

Bryant eventually turned the ball over on downs, giving Stony Brook the ball at its own 25 with just over a minute to play. Junior Abri Tate (Fort Mill, S.C.) then sacked Kinder on third down and Kinder's fourth down completion to Tyler Fredericks wasn't enough for a first down.

The Bulldogs used their strong defense to set the tone early on in Thursday's opener. Fifth-year senior Sam Sammons (Cypress, Texas) sacked Kinder pn the second play of the game and Tate broke up the third down pass, forcing the Seawolves to punt. Bryant took over at the SBU 50 and went to work. Easton scampered for a seven-yard gain on second down and then hit junior John Lavin (Falmouth) for seven yards to convert on third down. Easton then found his fullback Taute for an 18-yard gain to put the ball at the Stony Brook 22. The Seawolves held their ground, however, and three plays later, senior Tom Alberti (Marshfield, Mass.) drilled a 32-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs on the board.

Bryant's defense forced another three-and-out on SBU's next possession, this time it was fifth-year senior Michael Johnson () with a sack on third down to force the punt. Starting with strong field position again, the Bulldogs drove 53 yards in nine plays and Alberti delivered a 27-yard field goal to make it 6-0. The big play of the drive came on 3rd-and-3 from the SBU 35 as fifth-year senior Michael Perry (Dunmore, Pa.) took the handoff but then lofted a perfect pass down the sideline to Lavin for a 19-yard gain.

Stony Brook's first good scoring chance came in the second quarter. Starting at the Bryant 46, Bedell opened the drive with a five-yard run and then exploded for a seven-yard gain on 4th-and-1. Back-to-back carries from Bedell put Stony Brook on the 24 but Kinder's lob to the corner of the endzone was picked off by senior Bobby Rutland (Bethesda, Md.). 

The Seawolves would finally on answer on their next drive and needed just one play to do it. After Bryant punted, Kinder dropped back and threw deep down field for Adrian Coxson and the speedy receiver beat the coverage for a 61-yard touchdown reception. Last season, Coxson caught a 63-yard touchdown pass against the Bulldogs.

That was the only miscue for the Bulldogs on a night in which the defense played phenomenal. Bryant forced Stony Brook to punt 10 times, forced six three-and-outs and never let the Seawolves inside the redzone. They held them to 101 yards of passing and just 85 yards on the ground, while sacking their quarteback five times.

Easton finished 11-of-27 for 112 yards and a touchdown in his first career start for the Bulldogs. Canevari rushed for 80 yards on 24 carries and Ward caught six passes for 77 yards. Senior Jeff Covitz (Reading, Mass.) and sophomore Marquise Watson (Hillside, N.J.) tied for the team lead with 10 tackles apiece.

The Bulldogs open the home portion of their schedule next Saturday as they host Merrimack at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.