Bulldogs release 2012 football schedule
BULLDOGS UNVEIL 2012 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Highlighted by home games against the University of Maine and 2011 Northeast Conference champion the University at Albany, ninth-year head coach Marty Fine announced the Bryant University football team's first full Division I schedule on Monday. It will be the Bulldogs' first season of DI postseason eligibilty.
The Black and Gold recorded a 26-18 record over the last four years and will now face an 11-game schedule that includes six home games. The 2012 schedule features eight Northeast Conference games and three non-conference games against opponents from the Pioneer League, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and the Patriot League.
Bryant begins 2012 with one of the toughest September schedules in the conference. The Bulldogs open their season inside the friendly confines of Bulldog Stadium on the first day of September as Pioneer League-member Marist visits Smithfield. The Bulldogs and Red Foxes have met once before, a 34-7 Marist victory in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 2008. Following their week one matchup, the Bulldogs open NEC play with a trip to Western Pennsylvania to face Saint Francis (PA) on the Sept. 8.
The Bulldogs' next three games don't get much easier as they welcome CAA-member University of Maine and NEC foe Duquesne to Smithfield in back-to-back weeks. The Black Bears defeated the Black and Gold, 28-13 last year in Orono. When the Dukes come to Smithfield on Sept. 22 they'll be greeted by a rowdy crowd as the Bulldogs will be celebrating Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on campus.
Bryant closes out September with a road game at Wagner before opening October with consecutive home games against 2011 conference champion the University at Albany and Robert Morris. The Bulldogs defeated both the Great Danes and the Colonials on the road last year. Bryant celebrates Parents and Family Weekend on Oct. 13 against Robert Morris.
After the meeting with the Colonials, the Bulldogs will play three of their final four games on the road. The stretch begins with a trip to West Long Branch, N.J., to face Monmouth on Oct. 20. Bryant enjoys its bye week at the end of October before closing out the home portion of its schedule against Sacred Heart on Nov. 3. The final two weeks will provide one more test for the Bulldogs as they go on the road to face Central Connecticut State University and Patriot League-member Bucknell.
Bulldog fans can get their first glimpse of the 2012 team on April 21 at the Black and Gold Spring Game at Bulldogs Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.