Bryant, URI meet Saturday night in Kingston

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team opens the 2021 season on Saturday night against in-state foe Rhode Island. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Meade Stadium in Kingston. 

Bryant and URI will be meeting for the just the second time in program history and the first as Division I opponents.  

The Particulars
Opponent: Rhode Island
Location: Meade Stadium (Kingston, R.I.)
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m.
Watch Live: FloSports
Live Stats: GoRhody.com
Listen: URI
Game Notes: Bryant | URI

Series History

• Bryant and URI will be meeting for the second time in program history. This will be the first meeting as Division I opponents. 
• URI won the first meeting, 28-0, on Aug. 31, 2002. That year was Bryant's fifth year as a Division II program.    

Bulldogs Notes and Notables

• Bryant finished the abbreviated spring season with a 2-2 record. The Bulldogs dropped their final game, 20-10, to Duquesne. A win would have qualified Bryant for the NEC Championship game.
• Bryant's defense led the way in the spring, finishing first nationally in total defense and third nationally in scoring defense. 
• That defense returns some of its key members, including Joe Andreessen, Ryan Saddler, Jack Daly, Chidi Nna, Andre Brackett, David Onyemem, Ricardo Martinez, Javis Hanks and Derrius Perryman.
• Daly, Brackett and Andreessen were named to the All-NEC First Team, while Nna was named the NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
• On offense, Bryant will rely on the legs of All-NEC First Teamer Daniel Adeboboye. Now a senior, Adeboboye averaged 111 yards per game, finishing seventh nationally. 
• Bryant also welcomes back its leading receivers from each of the last two seasons, David Zorrilla and Anthony Frederick. Frederick caught a Bryant freshmen record 32 passes in 2019.    

A bit about the Rams

• URI finished their abbreviated spring season with a 2-1 record. The Rams had their final three games canceled due to COVID-19. 
• URI's two wins were both in overtime against ranked opponents. They beat No. 6 Villanova and No. 18 Albany. 
• The Rams enter the fall receiving votes in the FCS STATS preseason poll. 
• Kevin Brown Jr. was the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 256 yards and four touchdowns.
• Coby Tippett posted 10 tackles and three interceptions last spring.       

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