Football announces 2024 Schedule
SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The new era of Bryant University Football is officially underway as it announced its schedule for the Fall of 2024, its first as a member of Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Football.
Bryant's 2024 slate will include 12 games for the first time since 2019 and for just the third time in program history. The Black and Gold will play regional foes Holy Cross and Brown in addition to an eight-game CAA Football schedule.
The Black and Gold open the season on Thursday, August 29 against Delaware, also a member of the CAA, in a non-conference contest. It will be Bryant's first trip to the state of Delaware in program history.
Bryant opens its home schedule on Sept. 7 when it welcomes Division II Franklin Pierce to Beirne Stadium. The following weekend, the Black and Gold will host five-time Patriot League champion Holy Cross in key regional showdown. Bryant's final non-conference game of the season comes on October 5 when it visits in-state rival Brown.
The Bulldogs play their first CAA Football game on September 21 when they visit New Hampshire. Bryant will then host its first CAA Football contest on October 12 when defending CAA Football champion UAlbany comes to Smithfield.
Bryant will then renew its series with former Northeast Conference foe Monmouth in West Long Branch, N.J., on October 19. The two teams met from 2008-12 as members of the NEC and then again in 2013 as non-conference opponents. Monmouth owns a 5-1 lead in the series.
The Bulldogs will then host first-time opponent Richmond (Oct. 26) and Stony Brook (Nov. 2). Bryant and Stony Brook have met five times as a non-conference opponents, with the last meeting coming in 2019, coach Merritt's first game as Bryant's head coach.
Bryant will hit the road to face Maine (Nov. 9) and William & Mary (Nov. 16) before closing the regular season at home against in-state rival Rhode Island on Nov. 23. The Bulldogs have Rams have met the last three seasons as non-conference opponents.
2024 Schedule Notes and Notables
- Bryant's 2024 schedule features 12 games for the third time in program history and for the first time in 2019.
- The Bulldogs open the season on Thursday, August 29 at Delaware. Bryant and Delaware had the game previously scheduled and it will remain a non-conference game.
- Bryant's first home game will be on September 7 against Franklin Pierce.
- The Black and Gold will also host Holy Cross in a non-conference game on September 14.
- Bryant's first CAA Football game will be on September 21 at New Hampshire.
- The Bulldogs' first home CAA Football game will be on October 12 against defending champion UAlbany.
- Bryant closes the season at home against in-state rival Rhode Island in a CAA Football contest.