Bryant falls to GWU at home in OT thriller

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University football team falls to Gardner-Webb at home in an overtime thriller by a score of 45-44.

Zevi Eckhaus became the all-time leading passer in program history as he threw for 338 yards and four scores. Matthew Prochaska tallied a career-high nine catches for 149 yards. Jalen Powell had 75 yards and scored.

Anthony Frederick and Konor Lathrop both caught receiving TDs.

Defensively, Robert Crockett III had a pick-six, Michael Otty tallied 2.5 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble. Hollis Dirstine posted his first career sack, and Dontae Lunan registered 1.5 TFLs and a FF.

Jayvis Rayside also tallied a forced fumble.

Game Information
 Gardner-Webb 45, Bryant 44
Records: Bryant (4-5) (2-2), GWU (5-4)(3-1)
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• The Bulldogs had a 14-point lead with eight and a half left in the fourth, and GWU scored 14 straight points, leading to OT and the eventual loss.

How it Happened

• The Runnin Bulldogs' scored the game's first points on the first drive off of a six-yard TD pass (7-0).
• With nine minutes left in the first, GWU started their drive at their own 32 and drove down the field to take a 14-0 lead off of a four-yard QB rush (14-0).
• The Bulldogs scored their first points of the contest off of a 44-yard FG from Ethan Gettman. The drive was highlighted by a 19-yard completion to Prochaska and a 14-yard reception for Frederick (14-3).
• With eight minutes remaining in the half, the Black and Gold drove down the field behind first down passes to Prochaska and Frederick. The drive was capped off by a three-yard TD pass to Jalen Powell (14-10).
• GWU responded with a 26-yard TD pass, where the QB escaped the sack and found the receiver down the middle (21-10).
• Off a Bulldogs interception, the Runnin Bulldogs' got into FG range, making the score at half 24-10 in favor of GWU.
• Bryant stormed down the field to start the second half, with Jalen Powell catching two passes for 56 yards, putting the Dawgs inside the five. Mukendi punched it in for the score (24-17).
• On third and four, GWU ran up the middle, and Dontae Lunan punched the ball out, which was recovered by Darnel Shillingford, putting the Bulldogs on the opponent's 46-yard line.
• Eckhaus hit Prochaska for 20 yards and then, on the next play, threw a ball to the back shoulder of Frederick for a 22-yard TD, tying the game at 24.
• On the following drive, GWU was driving and elected to go for it on 4th and two but were stopped by Chris Yates and Devon Anderson, forcing a turnover on downs.
• Eckhaus then found Simi Bakare on a 25-yard catch, followed by a 33-yard TD by Prochaska, who caught a slant and then outran the GWU defense for the score, giving Bryant their first lead of the game (31-24).
• at the 11-minute mark of the fourth, Robert Crockett III jumped the route and recorded a 25-yard pick-six (38-24).
• The next drive for GWU began on their own 18-yard line, which they drove the length of the field, resulting in a three-yard QB rushing TD (38-31).
• The Bulldogs then had a three-and-out and were forced to punt, starting the Runnin Bulldogs' drive at the Bryant 40-yard line.
• GWU was forced into a 4th and long, which GWU converted, and there was a late hit penalty on the Black and Gold, placing GWU on the Bryant seven. On 4th and one, the QB ran into the left side of the endzone, forcing the game into overtime (38-38).
• GWU won the toss and deferred, giving Bryant possession first. The Bulldogs drove, and Eckhaus found Lathrop on an eight-yard pass for the score (44-38).
• The Black and Gold elected to go for two and were unsuccessful.
• GWU hit a 21-yard run on the first play, putting them within the five-yard line. They would score on a one-yard rush and then kick the PAT for the win (45-44).

Stats

• Eckhaus threw for 338 yards and four TDs.
• Prochaska had nine catches for 149 yards and a TD, with 79 yards after the catch.
• Jalen Powell tallied six catches for 75 yards and a TD.
• Frederick posted three receptions for 51 yards and a score.
• Lathrop hauled in a TD.
• Mukendi ran for 26 yards and a TD.
• Otty recorded a sack, 2.5 TFLs, and a forced fumble.
• Lunan posted 1.5 TFLs and a FF.
• Crockett III had a pick-six.
• Hollid Dirstine posted 1.5 TFLs and a sack.

Game Notes

• Eckhaus became the all-time leading passer in program history with 7,776 yards.
• He tallied 300+ yards and four TDs for the second straight game.
• Mukendi now has a TD in three straight games and 14 in his career.
• Prochaska had a career-high 149 yards and nine catches.
• Otty has posted a career-high 40 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and six sacks.
• Crockett III registered his first career pick-six.
• Dirstine recorded his first career sack.
• This is the Bulldog's third OT game this season (1-2).
• Bryant's defense has forced a TO in every game this year.

Up Next

The Black and Gold hit the road to face Lindenwood next Saturday.