Bulldogs fall to SFU on Saturday, 27-14

LORETTO, Pa. – The Bryant University football team allowed only three points and just 100 yards of offense in the second half but Saint Francis U used a 17-point first quarter to earn a 27-14 victory on Saturday afternoon at DeGol Field.

Bryant's defense limited the Red Flash to 232 yards of total offense, posted three sacks and eight tackles for a loss in the defeat. Junior Robert Brown (Palmetto Bay, Fla.) led the way with eight stops, while senior Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.) had seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Junior Tomas Wright (St. Augustine, Fla.) added 1.5 sacks.

Offensively, the Bulldogs put up 298 yards of total offense. Redshirt sophomore Timothy Graham (Darien, Conn.) completed 13-of-25 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns in his second career appearance.

Game Information
Saint Francis U 27, Bryant 14
Records: Bryant (5-3, 2-3 NEC), Saint Francis U (4-5, 2-2 NEC)
Attendance: 1,489

Coach Perry's Comments

"I think the kids really stuck together well after we started the game so poorly in all three phases. To watch them to play so well defensively and special teams wise in the second half, I'm pleased by that. Our seniors were great leaders even when things weren't going well. There is a lot to build on. We got a chance to step on Beirne Stadium and we'll learn from this and get better. If we hit and play like we did in the second half we'll have a good shot."

Key Moment

• Moments after Bryant made it 17-14 late in the first half, SFU's Nick Rinella returned the ensuing kick 69 yards to the Bryant 25. The return allowed the Red Flash to push their lead back to 10 with 15 seconds left in the half.

How it Happened

• Bryant fumbled on the opening play of the game and SFU took advantage, scoring on a 17-yard touchdown reception by Kamron Lewis.
• SFU then stopped Bryant on fourth down and scored four plays later. Rinella scored from 19 yards out to cap the drive.
• A botched punt on Bryant's next drive led to an SFU field goal to make it 17-0 with 4:54 left in the first quarter.
• The Bulldogs got it going offensively on their first drive of the second quarter. On 3rd-and-2, Graham hit a wide-open Vincent Nisivoccia (Nutley, N.J.) and the senior raced 58 yards for a touchdown.
• Bryant then drove 90 yards in nine plays to make it 17-14 with 55 seconds left in the first half. Graham completed three-straight passes of 10+ yards and redshirt sophomore Alfred Dorbor (Pawtucket, R.I.) followed with two big plays. He picked up 13 yards on the ground and then made a 17-yard reception. Graham then rolled out to the right and threw back to senior Tom Kennedy (Farmingdale, N.Y.) on the left and he did the rest for a 13-yard TD.
• Rinella's return followed and the Red Flash were able to score on a two-yard pass play with 15 seconds to go in the half.
• The second half featured only three total points as Bryant's defense limited SFU to 100 yards of total offense.

Stats

• Bryant outgained SFU, 298-233. The first downs were even, 16-16.
• The Bulldogs turned the ball over four times.
• SFU controlled possession, finishing at 34:06.
• Graham finished 13-of-25 for 187 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Sophomore Broghean McGovern (Haverhill, Mass.) started at QB and finished 1-of-3 for three yards.
• Senior Brenden Femiano (Northport, N.Y.) rushed for 83 yards on 13 carries.
• Dorbor finished with 22 yards on 10 carries.
• Kennedy posted four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
• Nisivoccia posted three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. He finished with 105 all-purpose yards.
• Redshirt junior Jean Constant (Delray Beach, Fla.) had three catches for 31 yards.
• Brown led the defense with eight tackles and a forced fumble.
• Costigan had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, a half sack and a forced fumble.
• Wright posted 1.5 sacks.
• Senior Kodi Ojukwu (Dix Hills, N.Y.) had 1.5 TFLs and a half sack.

Notes

• Costigan increased his program-record tackle total to 264.
• With his 2.5 tackles for a loss, Costigan now has 45 tackles for a loss in his career.
• Costigan now leads all active FCS players with 13 career forced fumbles.
• Wright now has 11 sacks on the season, a half sack shy of tying the single season program record.
• He also became just the fourth player in program history to record 20 or more career sacks.
• Wright's 17 TFLs are tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
• Nisivoccia is now tied for the team lead with six touchdown receptions.
• Junior Jesse Nemerowicz (Hudson, Mass.) moved into 10th place all-time with 209 career tackles.

Up Next

Bryant returns home next Saturday to take on Wagner. The Bulldogs will honor their senior class prior to the 1:00 p.m. kickoff at Beirne Stadium.