Offense tops defense in annual Black and Gold Spring Game

BULLDOGS WRAP UP SPRING FOOTBALL WITH BLACK AND GOLD GAME

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Paul Canevari (Warwick, N.Y.) racked up 139 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns as Team Black defeated Team White, 36-28, in the annual Black and Gold Spring Football game on Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.

A transfer from Rutgers, Canevari was one of four running backs that were on display Saturday as the possible replacement for the graduated Jordan Brown. Canevari carried the ball 10 times for 76 yards and also caught a 63-yard touchdown pass. Junior Michael Perry (Dunmore, Pa.) carried the ball eight times for 25 yards, junior Ricardo McCray (Middletown, R.I.) carried the ball 10 times for 73 yards and freshman transfer Danny Epstein (Weston, Fla.) carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards.

** The Bulldogs also announced their captains for the 2013 season prior to the game. Selected by the team, the Black and Gold will have five captains in the fall. Senior classmates Mike Westerhaus (Farmingville, N.Y.) and Connor McNamara (Sandy Hook, Conn.) were selected as captains for the second-straight season. Classmates Charles Argast (Mount Kisko, N.Y.) and Jordan Harris (Lincoln University, Pa.), and junior Jeff Covitz (Reading, Mass.) were also selected to be captains in 2013.**

In a game that matched Bryant's offense vs. the defense, the offense used a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away. Rising sophomore Chad Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) made a diving catch of a Westerhaus pass in the corner of the endzone to give the offense a lead it would not relinquish. Canevari then pounced in from five yards out to complete the offensive scoring on the afternoon. Canevari also opened the scoring as he caught a wheel pass from rising sophomore Kevin Gebon (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and then eluded several tacklers before breaking away for a 63-yard touchdown.

Bryant's experienced defense held a lead for the majority of the contest. Rewarded a point for every defensive stop and turnover, the defense made the offense work for every yard it gained on Saturday. Rising junior Dujuan Heath (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had eight tackles and rising senior Dan Simon (Franklin, Mass.) collected three sacks on the afternoon. Bryant's secondary, one of its biggest strengths heading into the season, intercepted four passes on the afternoon. Rising sophomore Brandon Dagnesses (Miami, Fla.) intercepted a pair of passes and classmate Charles Wingate (Englewood, N.J.) and rising junior Antione Hudson (District Heights, Md.) each added one.

Offensively, Gebon finished 3-of-5 for 88 yards and a score, Kyle Jennings (Mount Airy, Md.) was 2-for-4 for 54 yards and Westerhaus was 7-for-26 for 76 yards and a touchdown. Harris made one catch for 39 yards.

The Bulldogs now look ahead to the opening of camp in August and the preparation for their season-opening game with Holy Cross on August 31 at Bulldog Stadium.