Football meets Monmouth Saturday afternoon; Watch live on ESPN3

FULL GAME NOTES

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team continues its season-long four-game road trip this Saturday as it travels to West Long Branch, N.J., to take on former Northeast Conference rival Monmouth. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on ESPN3.

GAME INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Listen: WOON 1240 (onworldwide.com)
Watch: ESPN3
Stats: Live Stats

The Bulldogs (2-1) and Hawks (1-3) were members of the NEC together for five years before MU left to join the MAAC. The two teams met for the first time in 2008 and Monmouth leads the all-time series 5-1. The Hawks are now an associate member of the Big South.

Bryant faced one of its biggest tests in program history last week against No. 1 Coastal Carolina. The Black and Gold didn't shy away, grabbing a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and tying the game at 17-17 heading into the half. Bryant, however, could not answer a pair of Chanticleers second-half touchdowns.

The Black and Gold were able to take away several positives from the game as they gained more first downs (23-17) and more total yards (438-404) than the Chanticleers. Bryant helped itself by converting a season-high 57 percent (8-for-14) on third downs.

Leading the way offensively was NEC Offensive Player of the Week Ricardo McCray (Middletown, R.I.) and Dalton Easton (Miami, Fla.). McCray rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries and amassed 190 all-purpose yards in the game. Easton played one of the most complete games of his career, completing 25-of-40 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown.

Junior wide receiver Taylor Barthelette (East Longmeadow, Mass.) enjoyed one of the best games of his career as well, catching six passes for 88 yards. He has 19 catches for 290 yards over his last five games dating back to last season after catching just four passes for 57 yards in his previous 14 games.

Defensively, the Black and Gold continue to be one of the best in the country in turnover margin. Bryant has forced seven turnovers and coughed the ball up just once in three games and ranks fourth in the country with a margin of 2.00. Junior LB Patrick Kenney (Camarillo, Calif.) leads the team with 21 tackles while senior Abri Tate (Fort Mill, S.C.) has already matched his career high with 16 tackles.

Monmouth is coming off a tough 54-31 loss to No. 16 Fordham on the road last weekend. The Hawks have played a tough early schedule with matchups against Holy Cross, Central Michigan and Wagner. MU earned its only win over Wagner, 31-16, in week 3.

The Hawks average 22.8 points per game and 358 yards of offense per game but have allowed 25 or more points in all but one game. Opponents have also exploited the secondary, averaging 259 passing yards per game, a number that ranks the Hawks 92nd in the country.

Starting QB Cody Williams has completed 61 percent of his passes for 785 yards and three touchdowns in four starts this year and has also rushed 39 times for 133 yards. Darren Ambush has been Williams' favorite target, making 22 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

The biggest challenge for the Black and Gold might be the size of the Hawks. Monmouth's offensive front features five players that are all over 6-3 and four of five that weigh over 300 pounds.

Mike Basile leads the Monmouth defense with 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. The Hawks have intercepted five passes and recovered four fumbles on the year.

Bryant earned its only victory in the series at Kessler Field in 2012. Now graduate assistant Connor McNamara intercepted a pass to set up a late touchdown run from Jordan Brown to give the Bulldogs a 27-24 victory. Then freshmen Chad Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) caught seven passes for 84 yards.