Know the opponent: Robert Morris
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With the 2017 Bryant University football season less than two months away, Bryant Athletics will take a look at all 11 opponents the Bulldogs will face this season.
The Bulldogs take to the road for the final time in week 11, traveling to western Pennsylvania to take on Robert Morris on Nov. 11.
Opponent: Robert Morris (Website)
Date|Time: Saturday, Nov. 11 | 12:00 PM
Location: Joe Walton Stadium (Moon Township, Pa.)
All-time series: Bryant leads, 7-2
First played: Oct. 18, 2008 | Bryant 20, Robert Morris 7 (Smithfield, R.I.)
Last played: Nov. 5, 2016 | Bryant 24, Robert Morris 13 (Smithfield, R.I.)
Series History: Bryant and Robert Morris will square off for the 10th time in program history this season. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a great deal of success against the Colonials, having won seven of the first nine meetings. Bryant won each of the first five games between the two teams but has split the last four. The Black and Gold have limited the Colonials to an average of 18.8 points per game in nine meetings. Bryant is 2-2 in four trips to the Steel City.
Last time they met: Bryant's defense was the story last year at Beirne Stadium, holding RMU to under 100 yards of total offense and just 27 total passing yards. Marquise Watson made history as well, breaking the program record for career tackles in the contest.
After a scoreless first quarter, then-junior Matt Sewall (Portsmouth, R.I.) capped a quick four-play drive with a 23-yard touchdown reception to Bryant on top. A 50-yard field goal from Ricky Perez late in the half made it 10-3 at the half. RMU, however, responded with a 10-point third quarter to take the lead. Connor Shennan hit a 44-yard field goal and Gerald Ferguson blocked a punt and returned it 26 yards for a score, putting the Colonials on top 13-10.
Bryant then drove 60 yards in seven plays, with Mitchell Baxter hauling in a five-yard TD to give Bryant the lead back. Charles Wingate then intercepted a pass at the RMU 10 and then-sophomore Brenden Femiano (Northport, N.Y.) put the game away with a four-yard TD run.
Throwback: Widely known for his pass-catching skills, Jordan Harris made a big special teams play to help Bryant defeat Robert Morris in 2011. With the game tied and just 1:16 remaining, Harris blocked a Colonial punt and the Bulldogs recovered the RMU 25. Three plays later, Jordan Brown raced into the endzone to give Bryant a 34-27 lead. It completed a come-from-behind win for the Bulldogs, as they trailed 20-13 at the half and 27-20 with under five minutes to play in the game. Matt Tracey's 13-yard TD catch tied the score with 3:16 remaining. Brown finished the game with 237 all-purpose yards, breaking the program record in the process.