Football Season Preview: Offense
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University football team opens its 2023 season on Saturday afternoon at FBS member UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. EST.
BryantBulldogs.com breaks down the offense, defense and special teams leading up to kickoff.
Offense
Bryant has put together two of the best offensive seasons in 2021 and 2022 and has the chance to be even better this fall. The Black and Gold have averaged 31.6 ppg and 404 yards of total offense over the last 22 games.
The good news for the Black and Gold, is that 10 of 11 starters return from a year ago, led by third-year starting quarterback Zevi Eckhaus. The Culver City, Calif., native enters the season opener as the unquestioned No. 1 starter for the first time in his career and is coming off one of the best statistical seasons for a quarterback in program history in 2022. Eckhaus became just the second player in program history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season, while setting the single-season record for total offense with 3,393 yards. In two seasons, Eckhaus has thrown for 5,620 yards and 47 touchdowns.
Eckhaus will be protected by one of the most experienced offensive lines in program history. The Black and Gold welcome back a unit that includes Jamichael Watts, Michael McNish, Trevor Smith, Ahmad Assad, Carlos Abascal, Andrew Berkery, Nathan Marshall, Anthony Perez and Nick Thorsen. Bryant will also welcome in Norfolk State transfer Jeff Woods and Wagner transfer Matthew Rau.
Bryant will also return nearly all of its skill players from last season. Leading the way will be a stacked wideout group that includes Landon Ruggieri, Anthony Frederick, Gary Cooper, Matthew Prochaska and Jalen Powell. Ruggieri set a single-season record with 65 receptions last year, finishing with 986 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Frederick returns for his fifth year and is a preseason All-American kick returner. He has posted 30+ catches in three of his first four seasons, including a career-high 39 last fall. He enters this season with 105 catches for 1,621 yards and 14 touchdowns. Bryant will also benefit from the return of Powell, who missed most of last of season with injury. He averaged 4.8 receptions per game in the four contests he appeared in.
In the backfield, Bryant returns an experienced group headlined by Ryan Clark, Fabrice Mukendi and Kyle Cichanowsky. Clark emerged as a short-yardage back, producing nine rushing touchdowns. Mukendi will look to return to form after an injury-riddled 2022 season, while Cichanowsky will look to take on a bigger role this fall. He has shined on special teams and set career highs in carries (26) and yards (135) last season.
Bryant will also welcome back a veteran group at tight end, led by seniors Jihad Edmond, Konor Lathrop, Marc Taglieri Jr. and AC White. Edmond was an All-Big South selection last fall after producing 25 catches for 274 yards and five touchdowns. Lathrop brings 21 games of experience to the position, Taglieri has appeared in 19 games and White is back for his second season after posting a pair of touchdown receptions last fall.