FOOTBALL FALLS TO FORDHAM 35-7 SATURDAY NIGHT
October 10, 2009
BRYANT FOOTBALL FALLS TO FORDHAM 35-7 SATURDAY NIGHT
Bulldogs Travel to Albany Next Week
BRONX, NY - The Bryant University football team saw its two-game win streak come to an end as the Bulldogs dropped a 35-7 non-conference decision at Fordham University Saturday night at Jack Coffey Field. The loss drops Bryant to 3-2 on the season while Fordham, winners of two straight after opening the year 0-3, improves to 2-3 on the year.
In the first-ever matchup between the two schools, Bryant had trouble containing Fordham's standout quarterback John Skelton. A 6-foot-5, 258-pound senior from El Paso, TX, Skelton came into Saturday's game red-hot after throwing for more than 400 yards against Old Dominion last week to earn Patriot League Player of the Week honors. Against Bryant Saturday, the burly quarterback continued to air it out, completing 18 of 32 passes for 183 yards, plus throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another in the victory.
The Bulldogs fell behind early as Fordham scored twice on its first two possessions to lead 14-0 after one quarter of play. Skelton's 34-yard touchdown run in the second put the hosts up 21-0.
The Bulldogs had a golden opportunity to get on the board just before halftime as sophomore defensive back Samad Wagstaff picked off a Skelton pass deep in Fordham territory. But the Bulldogs failed to get in the end zone as a Mike Croce pass intended for receiver Khalel Pritchard in the back of the end zone on fourth and goal from the 15-yard line fell incomplete.
The Rams would make the Bulldogs pay, marching 85 yards in just over three minutes and scoring on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Skelton to his brother Stephen Skelton with 26 seconds left to make it 28-0 at the break.
Bryant would finally get on the scoreboard late in the third as Tim Mastrino hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Croce to make it 28-7. But that was all the Bulldogs would get as the Rams held Bryant to just 219 yards offensive including 134 yards on the ground. Jerell Smith, last week's NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, led Bryant with 86 yards rushing on 19 carries. Croce completed 12 of 28 passes for just 85 yards.
Bryant will travel to Albany next Saturday for a 1 pm game.