Bulldogs host Black Bears on Homecoming and Reunion Weekend

FULL GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Off to a 2-0 start for the second-straight season, the Bryant University football team welcomes Maine for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, Sept. 13

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Watch: NECFrontRow

Listen: WOON 1240

LAST TIME OUT: BULLDOGS CRUISE PAST MERRIMACK
Dalton Easton threw for three scores, Paul Canevari rushed for 123 yards and the Bulldogs used a 27-point third quarter to cruise past Merrimack, 40-14, last Saturday at Bulldog Stadium. Easton threw touchdown passes of 31, 19 and 17 within the first seven minutes of the third quarter to blow open the game, with Patrick Kenney's 56-yard interception return for a touchdown capping the scoring. Jose Depadua rushed for a score and caught a touchdown pass in his first game of the season. The victory was Bryant's fifth-straight over the Warriors dating back to the 2006 season and evened the all-time series at 6-6.

SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS
After winning the CAA and reaching the second round of the NCAA playoffs last season, the Black Bears have solidfied themselves as one of the best teams in FCS college football. They finished the 2013 season ranked 12th in the Sporting News national poll and enter this weekend's matchup as the 20th-ranked team in the country. Maine defeated Norfolk St. 10-6, holding them to just 100 yards of total offense in the first week of the season.

Offensively, Maine has turned the reigns of the offense over to sophomore Dan Collins. He threw for just 92 yards and a score in Maine's first game. They return just five starters, however, and will look to running back Nigel Jones and wide receiver Damarr Aultman to lead the way. Jones rushed for 596 yards and eight scores last year, while Aultman caught 46 passes for 550 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively, the Black Bears have the ability to be one of the best teams in college football. Last year, they held opponents to just 22.1 points per game and 342 yards of total offense. That defense returns eight starters including CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year Christophe Mulumba Tshimanga. He finished with 118 tackles last season and will be joined by Cabrinni Goncalves (101 tackles).

INSIDE THE SERIES
Maine has won each of the previous three meetings between the teams dating back to the 2011 season. In those three games, the Black Bears have dominated the first half, outscoring the Bulldogs 73-16. They blanked Bryant in the first three quarters each of the first two meetings before the Black and Gold were able to score 16 first-half points last season. A pair of touchdown runs from Paul Canevari and a safety gave Bryant a 16-7 lead but Maine responded with two scores in the final 3:11 of the first half and never looked back.

CANEVARI GOES OVER 100
Junior Paul Canevari recorded his second-career 100-yard game as he rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries against the Warriors. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry and broke off a 29-yard run on the first play of the game. His last 100-yard game came last season at Wagner.

SIMERVIL GETS CHANCE TO SHINE
Senior Gore Simervil made the most of his first career carries last Saturday. He came out with a bang as he sprung for 22 yards on the first carry of his career in the fourth quarter. Simervil finished with 57 yards on 11 carries.