McGovern posts three TDs as Bryant falls to Wagner

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Redshirt junior Jean Constant (Delray Beach, Fla.) recorded his fourth-career kick return touchdown and sophomore Broghean McGovern (Haverhill, Mass.) accounted for three touchdowns but the Bryant University football team fell to Wagner College, 52-36, in the final home game of the 2018 season.

Constant's 97-yard kick return score pushed into sole possession of first place in Bryant's program history. He now has two kick return scores this season, tying him for the national lead. In addition, Constant has now posted a kick return score in each of the last two seasons against Wagner.

And while Constant's 97-yard score brought the crowd to their feet, Wagner was able to answer every Bryant push on Saturday. The Seahawks scored a season-high 52 points behind 218 rushing yards and three TDs from the nation's fourth-ranked rusher, Ryan Fulse.

Game Information
Wagner 52, Bryant 36
Records: Bryant (5-5, 2-4 NEC), Wagner (3-7, 2-3 NEC)
Attendance: 1,652

Key Moment

• Bryant opened the second half with a quick score to make it a 10-point game and got the ball back quickly on a three-and-out. Myron Morris, however, intercepted a pass at the Bryant 25 to set up a six-play scoring drive to put Wagner back up 17.

How it Happened

• Wagner used two long drives to control the majority of the first half. Fulse's first TD of the game capped a 16-play, 74-yard opening drive for the Seahawks. The drive took 7:38.
• After a Bryant three-and-out, Eric Silvester capped a 11-play, 69-yard drive with a 28-yard field goal.
• The Seahawks took advantage of a Bryant turnover to build a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. Wagner took over at the Bryant 40 and Fulse capped the drive with a three-yard run.
• Bryant would answer with its first scoring drive, a seven-play, 65-yard drive. McGovern completed a pair of passes to junior Alex Rasmussen (Fallston, Md.) before senior Brenden Femiano (Northport, N.Y.) scored from seven yards out.
• Wagner then stopped Bryant on 4th-and-1 from the Bryant 38 and scored on the next play as T.J. Linta threw to D'Erren Wilson.
• Constant then took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to make it a 10-point game again.
• Wagner, however, would answer with a nine-play, 75-yard drive right before the half. Wilson completed a double-reverse pass to backup QB Scotty Forbes on fourth down to extend the drive and Chris Woodard made an eight-yard TD catch.
• Constant was at it again to start the second half as he returned the opening kickoff 53 yards. Wagner then committed 25 yards worth of penalties and McGovern added an 18-yard run to put the ball at the Wagner 6. Senior Tom Kennedy (Farmingdale, N.Y.) then took a reverse and threw to McGovern in the endzone for a touchdown.
• Morris' first interception of the day gave Wagner the ball at the Bryant 25 and Linta was able to cap the drive with a QB sneak.
• The Seahawks then tried to squib the kick but freshman David Zorrilla (Everett, Mass.) returned it 52 yards to the Wagner 3. McGovern called his own number and ran it in to make it 38-28.
• On Wagner's next possession, Fulse scored on a 53-yard run on the second play.
• In the fourth, Bryant drove to the Wagner 1 but Morris posted his second interception to set up the final Wagner score. Linta connected with Fulse for a 28-yard play.
• Bryant would add a late touchdown thanks to a one-yard plunge from McGovern.

Stats

• Wagner outgained Bryant, 431-256.
• The Seahawks posted 26 first downs, while Bryant had 21.
• Wagner held Bryant to just 52 yards rushing.
• McGovern finished 17-of-32 for 198 yards and two interceptions. He rushed for 14 yards and two scores and also caught a TD pass.
• Redshirt sophomore Alfred Dorbor (Pawtucket, R.I.) posted a team-high 33 yards on the ground.
• Constant posted 150 kick return yards and 51 receiving yards, finishing with 180 all-purpose yards.
• Constant posted his second kick return score of the season.
• Senior Vincent Nisivoccia (Nutley, N.J.) caught four passes for 76 yards.
• Kennedy caught three passes for 16 yards, rushed for five yards and threw a TD pass.
• Senior Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.) posted 10 tackles, while junior Robert Brown (Palmetto Bay, Fla.) added nine.

Game Notes

• Bryant finished the year 3-2 at home.
• The Bulldogs finished the year 2-4 in NEC play, the first time they've been below .500 since they joined the league.
• Constant moved into sole possession of first place in kick return TDs in program history.
• Constant's 21st-career TD moves into a tie for sixth all-time with Mike Canfora.
• Nisivoccia's 47 catches are tied for the fifth-most in a single-season in program history, while his 663 receiving yards are ninth.
• Nisivoccia also became the 11th player in program history with 1,000+ career receiving yards.
• McGovern became the first player since Tom Kennedy last season to post a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game.
• Costigan's 10 tackles give him 98 on the season, tied for the third-most in a single-season in program history.

Up Next

Bryant wraps up the 2018 season next Saturday at Howard. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.