Bryant football announces 2017 schedule
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With his first recruiting class in the books, Bryant University football head coach James Perry is excited to announce the schedule the Bulldogs will face this fall.
The Bulldogs' 2017 schedule features 11 games, including five games at the David M. and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex. In addition to its six Northeast Conference games, the Black and Gold will play non-conference games against Merrimack, New Hampshire, Brown, Fordham and Maine.
Bryant opens its first season under Perry on Sept. 2 when it welcomes Merrimack to Beirne Stadium for the second-straight season. The Bulldogs defeated the Warriors to open 2016 and have won all four games against their former NE-10 rival since moving to the Division I level.
The opener against Merrimack is the first of five-straight non-league games for the Bulldogs to open the season. Bryant starts a grueling four-game stretch the following week when it travels to Orono, Maine, for the second-straight year. Last season, Bryant built a 21-0 lead but the Black Bears earned a 35-31 come-from-behind victory.
Bryant then returns to the Ocean State for two-straight weeks. The Bulldogs continue their rivalry with in-state rival Brown on Sept. 16 at Brown Stadium in Providence. This year's matchup will draw extra attention as Perry will be facing his alma mater for the first time as a head coach.
Following its game with Brown, Bryant returns home to face Patriot League foe Fordham on Sept. 23. The Bulldogs and Rams will be meeting for the third time in program history and for the first time since the opening game of 2010 season. The John Skelton-led Rams posted a 35-7 victory in 2009 but the Black and Gold responded with a 44-30 win to open 2010. Instead of Skelton, Bryant will have to deal with Chase Edmonds, the 2014 Jerry Rice Award winner (FCS Rookie of the Year).
The Bulldogs wrap up their non-league schedule with a trip to Durham, N.H., to face the University of New Hampshire for the first time in program history. The Wildcats have been a model of consistency in the FCS, reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of the last 13 seasons. UNH made it to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs in 2013 and 2014.
Bryant will then enjoy a favorable bye week on Oct. 7 before finishing the season with six-straight NEC games. The Bulldogs open NEC play at home against defending champ Saint Francis U. on Oct. 14 before hitting the road for games at Central Connecticut (Oct. 21) and Wagner (Oct. 28).
The Bulldogs welcome rival Sacred Heart to Smithfield on Nov. 4 before traveling to Pittsburgh to face Robert Morris on Nov. 11. Bryant wraps up the 2017 season at home on Nov. 18 against Duquesne.