Bulldogs fall to Brown in thriller

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant Univeristy football team fell to Brown in a thriller at Beirne Stadium on Saturday.

Zevi Eckhaus threw for two TDs, which were caught by Matthew Prochaska and Jalen Powell. Prochaska hauled in a career-high 112 yards, and Powell tallied 91.

Fabrice Mukendi posted his second career 100+ yard game (109), Michael Otty had two sacks, and Kenny Dyson Jr. posted one.

Game Information
Brown 29, Bryant 25
Records: Bryant (1-2), Brown (1-0)
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I)

Key Moment

• The Bulldogs took the lead with one minute remaining in the contest, which was countered by a 67-yard TD drive by the Bears to win the game.

How it Happened

• Brown started a drive on their own 26-yard line and then drove the field's length with three first downs, capped off by a two-yard touchdown for the game's first points (7-0).
• The Bulldogs fumbled on the ensuing kick-off, which the Bears recovered on the Bryant 26. Brown then scored their second touchdown on a short pass to the running back but missed the extra point (13-0).
• The Black and Gold earned their first points on a 31-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman in the second quarter (13-3).
• The Bears responded with a FG of their own (16-3).
•  Bryant began a drive on their own 21 with 2:23 left in the half. On third and long, Eckhaus rifled a pass to Jalen Powell for a gain of 18, followed by another 18-yard pass to AC White. Eckhaus went back to white for a 12-yard gain and first down. Powell then hauled in two passes for 30 yards, including a six-yard TD catch in the corner of the endzone to end the first half (16-10).
• Brown missed a FG, giving the Bulldogs the ball at their own 27-yard line. The Bulldogs hit back-to-back big plays, first a 13-yard catch by Powell and then a 22-yard rush up the middle courtesy of Mukendi.
• This drive was capped off by a deep ball to Matt Prochaska for a 38-yard TD, giving the Black and Gold their first lead (17-16).
• The Bears responded with a TD to start the fourth quarter but failed the two-point conversion (22-17).
• The Bulldogs came up with a huge stop on 4^th and two, which gave them possession at their own 30. With two minutes left in the game
• Eckhaus hit Prochaska for a gain of 25, moving the Black and Gold to mid-field. Eckhaus was then hit and initially ruled a fumble. After review, the play was changed to incomplete, but Brown received an unsportsmanlike penalty, putting the Bulldogs on the opponent's 30-yard line.
• Eckhaus hit back-to-back passes to Prochaska and Anthony Frederick, giving the Black and Gold 1^st and Goal on the five-yard line.
• Ryan Clark then scored with one minute left in the game, followed by a successful two-point conversion to White (25-22).
• Brown then drove 67 yards in 56 seconds to secure the victory (29-25).

Stats

• Bryant finished with 435 yards of total offense compared to Brown's 428.
• Eckhaus threw for 262 and two TDs.
• Prochaska led the Bulldogs with 112 yards and a TD.
• Mukendi gained 109 yards on the ground.
• Powell hauled in seven catches for 91 yards and a TD.
• White recorded a two-point conversion and 30 yards.
• Otty tallied two sacks, and Dyson recorded one.
• Chris Yates topped all defenders with 11 tackles.

Game Notes

• Eckhaus now has 6,386 yards in his career.
• Dyson moves to solo fifth in sacks with 20.5.
• Prochaska had a career-high 112 yards. He also leads the team with 257 yards.
• Otty has sacks in back-to-back games.
• Mukendi registered his second 100+ yard game of his career.
• Powell now has two consecutive games with 80+ yards.

Up Next

Bryant hits the road to face Princeton on Saturday.