McCray, defense power Bryant past Bucknell, 34-15

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Redshirt junior Ricardo McCray (Middletown, R.I.) rushed for a career-high 142 yards and three touchdowns, while senior Jeff Covitz (Reading, Mass.) recorded a career-high four sacks as the Bryant University football team used a big first half to race past previously unbeaten Bucknell, 34-15, on Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs' (4-1) sacked the quarterback five times and collected four interceptions to knock the Bison (4-1) from the FCS unbeatens. Bryant put up 387 yards of total offense, including 239 on the ground, against a team that entered the game ranked in the top 10 nationally in total defense.

"We came out and set the tone with our defense," head coach Marty Fine said. "Offensively, we were able to take advantage of some opportunities to open up the game in the first half."

Bryant's defense wasted little time as senior Bobby Rutland (Bethesda, Md.) intercepted the third play of the game. The Bulldogs were unable to score off the turnover but the defense used the momentum to stop the Bison on their next drive. Bucknell was forced to punt and Bryant took over at its own 9.

Sophomore Dalton Easton (Miami, Fla.) started the drive with a perfect pass to junior Jose Depadua (Frederick, Va.) for 17 yards to get the Bulldogs off their own goal line. Two plays later, Easton hit junior Chad Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) over the middle and Ward did the rest, blowing past the Bison defense for a 73-yard touchdown reception. It was the longest reception of Ward's career.

Moments later the defense once again made a big play. Fifth-year senior Michael Johnson (New Market, Md.) picked off a pass at his own 18 to stop a Bucknell drive. A holding penalty, however, put the Black and Gold offense behind schedule and it appeared they would punt facing a fourth-and-7. The Bulldogs reached into their bag of tricks though and fifth-year senior punter Sam Sammons (Cypress, Texas) took the snap but tucked the ball and scampered untouched for 55 yards and a touchdown to make it 14-0.

Bryant's offense continued its strong start after another three-and-out from the Bison. The Black and Gold took over at the Bucknell 46 and proceeded to drive 46 yards in 11 plays to increase their lead. Easton connected with Depadua for 23 yards to put the ball inside the Bucknell 20 but a throw to the endzone on third down sent out the Bulldogs' field goal unit. It was a fake, however, as senior hold Brian Testorf (Boca Raton, Fla.) took the snap and ran for a first down. Three plays later, the Bulldogs rolled the dice again on fourth down and McCray made it pay off as he pushed it in from a yard out.

Another three-and-out followed for Bucknell's offense and the Bulldogs immediately took advantage. McCray took a screen pass 18 yards on third-and-16 to keep the drive alive and sophomore Keenan Thompson (Broward County, Fla.) followed with a 20-yard run to put the ball at the Bucknell 25. Three plays later, McCray sprung through the middle of the Bucknell defense for a 16-yard touchdown run with 7:45 left in the first half.

Bucknell appeared primed to answer with a late score after a 15-yard personal foul put the ball at the Bryant 29. Junior Brandon Dagnesses (Miami, Fla.) intercepted the very next pass to end the threat and send the Bulldogs into the half with a huge lead.

The Bison were finally able to gather some life as they blocked a punt to open the third quarter. Bobby Kaslander made an 18-yard reception on fourth down to keep the drive alive and C.J. Williams was able to cap it with a six-yard touchdown plunge.

McCray took away any Bucknell momentum just as quickly as they gained it, however. The Bulldogs took over at their own 6 after a punt and McCray quickly switched fields. The Rhode Island native took the first down hand off up the middle and then exploded down the sideline for a 96-yard touchdown run. The run is the longest rush from scrimmage in program history.

Bucknell added a fourth-quarter touchdown as Williams was able to punch it in from a yard out. The deficit and Bryant's defense were too much to overcome, however, as the Bulldogs held on for the big victory.

One of the best defensive players in program history, Covitz became the school's all-time leader in sacks with a career-high four. He teamed with classmate Maduka Nwanekezi (Milton, Mass.) at the end of the first quarter to tie the record and then set the record in the second quarter as he and Nwanekezi brought down R.J. Nitti for a nine-yard loss. Covitz added two more sacks on the day, both ending Bucknell drives and leading directly to Bryant scores.

Offensively, McCray finished with 142 yards and three scores on 11 carries and Easton completed 8-of-17 passes for 156 yards. Dagnesses finished with his first-career multi-interception game, while sophomore Patrick Kenney (Camarillo, Calif.) recorded a career-high 11 tackles. Johnson added a season-high four breakups to his interception.

"I thought we played smart and we played aggressive," Fine said. "I was very pleased with how we competed and I think we have put ourselves in a good position heading into the most important part of our season [NEC play]."

The Bulldogs will enjoy their second bye week of the season next weekend before opening league play on Oct. 18 at Saint Francis U.