Bulldogs have wire to wire road win against Charleston Southern

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Bryant University football team dominated Charleston Southern during the 47-24 road win.

Zevi Eckhaus threw for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Fabrice Mukendi had his second straight multi-TD game. Konor Lathrop, Marc Taglieri Jr., Simi Bakare, and Anthony Frederick caught a touchdown pass. Landon Ruggieri led the way with 97 yards receiving.

Defensively, Lake Eills hauled in an interception for the third straight game. Kenny Dyson Jr. had a pick, the first since 2021, and the Bulldogs defense had three takeaways for the third time this season. Michael Otty had the only sack of the game.

Game Information
 Bryant 47, Charleston Southern 24
Records: Bryant (4-4) (2-1), CSU (3-5)(1-2)
Location: Buccaneers Field (Charleston, S.C.)

Key Moment

• Dyson intercepted a pass inside the opponent's 15, setting up a TD, giving the Bulldogs a 14-point advantage in the second quarter.

How it Happened

• The Bulldogs began their drive on the Buccaneer's 42-yard line and moved down the field on two Ruggieri and one Bakare catch. Once the drive reached the opponent's 11-yard line, Mukendi ran it three times and capped it off with a rushing TD (7-0).
• CSU hit a deep TD to begin the second quarter, tying the game. (7-7).
• The Bulldogs responded with a 98-yard drive, which included a 35-yard deep ball to Matthew Prochaska. Ruggieri caught two passes for 20 yards, placing the Black and Gold on the 12-yard line. Mukendi then high-stepped over a diving tackler for his second rushing TD of the game (14-7).
• The Bucs' next drive began on their own 24, and on third down, Dyson broke through the line and intercepted the pass, placing the Bulldogs on the opponent's 14. Eckhaus then found Bakare on the wheel route to give Bryant a 21-7 lead.
• CSU countered with a passing touchdown on the next drive tipped off a Bryant defender's hand (21-14).
• Before the end of the first half, AC White hauled in a 34-yard pass, which led to a 30-yard FG from Ethan Gettman, making the halftime score 24-14 in favor of the Bulldogs.
• On the first drive of the second half, Ellis made a diving interception. Eckhaus then hit Ruggieri for a 41-yard pass, where he was tackled at the one, which led to a one-yard receiving TD for Lathrop (31-14).
• During the ensuing drive, CSU nailed a 40-yard FG (31-17).
• The Bulldogs began the next drive on the Buccaneers 40, which led to a 13-yard TD for Taglieri (38-17).
• Eckhaus began the next drive by finding Javin Dames for 15 yards, Tristen Riley for 12 yards, Frederick for 16, and then the TD on a push pass to Frederick (45-17).
• CSU scored a touchdown with four minutes remaining on a 35-yard pass (45-24).
• In the final two minutes, Frederick blocked a punt in the endzone, which CSU recovered for a safety (47-24).

Stats

• Eckhaus threw for a season-high 368 yards and four TDs.
• Mukendi tallied 54 yards and two TDs on the ground.
• Bakare had 44 yards receiving and one TD catch.
• Frederick tallied 50 yards and a score.
• Ruggieri registered a game-high seven catches for 97 yards.
• White had 43 yards receiving.
• Michael Otty tallied a sack.
• Lake Ellis hauled in an interception.
• Dyson had an INT.
• Nicholas Alvarado recorded a fumble recovery.
• Taglieri and Lathrop caught a TD.

Game Notes

• Eckhaus now has 7,428 yards and 61 passing TDs in his career.
• Eckhaus tallied four TDs for the fifth time in his tenure.
• Mukendi recorded his second straight multi-TD game, the fourth of his career.
• The Bulldogs forced three TOs for the third time this season.
• Ellis has an INT in three straight games and seven as a Bulldog.
• Ruggieri had the most receiving yards since week 1.
• The Black and Gold scored the most points this season, the second time they reached 40+.
• Otty now has five sacks on the year.
• Dyson tallied his second career INT.
• Bakare had his first career TD reception.
• Lathrop now has four receiving TDs this season.
• Taglieri posted his third career TD.

Up Next

The Bulldogs return to Smithfield to face Gardner-Webb on Family & Friends weekend this Saturday.