Bryant falls to Duquesne, 31-28

PITTSBURGH, Pa. –  Sophomore defensive back Jeremy Woodson (Fresno, Texas) had two interceptions and junior running back Jordan Brown (Glastonbury, Conn.) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns, but Duquesne University's Connor Dixon's third TD reception in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as the Bryant University football team fell, 31-28, Saturday afternoon at Arthur J. Rooney Field.

The Bulldogs (3-2, 2-1 NEC) rallied back from a 17-7 deficit to take a, 28-24, lead in the fourth quarter but the Dukes (4-1, 2-0 NEC) responded with an eight-play, 72-yard drive that ended with Dixon making a 10-yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone. The loss snapped Bryant's three-game win streak, and stretched the Dukes winning streak to four games following an opening week loss.

Trailing by three, 24-21, Bryant took their second, and final, lead of the game on long pass-and-catch from senior quarterback Mike Croce (Waterbury, Conn.) and sophomore receiver Jordan Harris (Lincoln University, Pa.) on its first drive of the fourth quarter. Facing a third-and-eight, Croce launched the ball downfield and Harris ended up wide open when his defender fell down. Harris made the catch at the Duquesne 40 and sped to pay dirt to give the Bulldogs the lead.

It did not last long, however, as the Dukes immediately moved down the field. On third-and-one, running back Larry McCoy broke outside and was tackled 40 yards later at the Bryant 11. The Bulldogs forced another third down, but Patterson threaded the needle to find Dixon in the back of the end zone.

That score capped what turned into a back-and-forth affair. Bryant had no luck moving the ball in the first half, gaining just 64 total yards, but came out invigorated in the second half. The Black and Gold received the kickoff and proceeded to march down the field. Croce hit Harris for 19 yards on the first play and Brown carried the ball three-straight times to the Dukes 35, but the drive appeared to be stalled after a Croce was sacked on second down. On third-and-15, Croce again looked for Harris but missed his target, but a flag was thrown and the Dukes were called for pass interference. The penalty kept the drive alive and two plays later Brown hit a hole and ran it in from 18 yards out, cutting the deficit to 17-14.

Bryant took its first lead of the game just over three minutes later thanks to a great defensive play. With his team facing a third down, Patterson dropped back to pass looking for his tight end Brian Layhue, but the ball hit is shoulder pad and Woodson caught the deflection and returned it 43 yards to the Dukes 19. The Duquesne defense eventually forced a fourth down but the Bulldogs went for it and Croce, while being wrapped up, hit classmate Matt Tracey (Littleton, Colo.) for a 12-yard gain to the one-yard line. Brown did the rest as he ran it in from a yard out giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the game, 21-17.

It was an offensive struggle early on for both teams. Duquesne finally broke through at the end of the first quarter. The Dukes forced a three-and-out and began their march down the field from their own 37. Facing a third down and eight, DU starting quarterback Sean Patterson decided to keep the ball himself and scampered for 20 yards to gain a first down across midfield. Three plays later Patterson hit Brooks Roorback on a slant pass for 23 yards to the Bryant 14. The Dukes got the ball to the Bryant seven but were forced to kick a field goal as Charlie Leventry knocked down a 25-yarder.

It didn't take DU long to add to its lead. Bryant received the kickoff and on the third play, the Dukes sacked Croce, forcing a fumble that they recovered on the Bryant 33. From there it took just one play as Patterson hit Dixon for a 33-yard touchdown with eight seconds remaining in the first quarter giving the Dukes a 10-0 lead.

Bryant nearly responded on its next drive. Brown carried the ball across midfield and a pass interference penalty put the Bulldogs on the DU 29. An offside penalty moved them five yards further but Croce's pass on first down was intercepted at the 10-yard line, ending the promising drive.

Duquesne gave the ball right back six plays later. The Dukes attempted an option play on second down but the toss was fumbled and Paul Hanley (Liecester, Mass.) recovered to start the Bulldogs in the right direction. Brown rushed the ball five-straight times, including rushes of 11 and 13 yards, to get the ball to the Duquesne seven, and after a six-yard completion put Bryant on the one, Croce called his own number and stuffed it home to make it 10-7.

In a three-point game, there are many plays that can be magnified and the two most glaring for the Bulldogs were a pair of defensive penalties deep in Bryant territory. Late in the second quarter, the Bulldogs appeared to have held DU to a field goal as Patterson's third down pass went incomplete, but a pass interference call extended the drive and McCoy scored from two yards out on the very next play. It happened again in the third quarter with the Bulldogs ahead, 21-17. Patterson threw incomplete on third down from the Bryant 30 but a late hit drew a flag, and a roughing the passer call, to keep the drive going. Given a second chance, Patterson didn't miss, hitting Dixon for a 15-yard score on the following play.

Brown surpassed the century mark for the fifth time this season, finishing with 142 yards on 36 carries. The two rushing touchdowns give him 22 for his career and tie him with Lindsey Gamble for second in program history. Croce threw for 138 yards on 8-of-18 passing and threw his first two interceptions of the season. Harris hauled in four passes for 108 yards, including his second touchdown of the year. Senior linebacker Franck Tebou (Mattapoisett, Mass.) had a game-high eight tackles, seven solo, to lead the defense.  

McCoy gained 153 yards on 34 carries, Patterson added 48 on nine carries and also threw for 160 yards and three scores as the Dukes out-gained the Bulldogs, 379-276. Dixon caught five passes, three for TDs, for 71 yards.  

Bryant returns home to face Stonehill College next Saturday, Oct. 8, in its final non-conference game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.