Bulldogs fall to Rams on Saturday night

KINGSTON, R.I. – Fabrice Mukendi and Landon Ruggieri each scored their first career touchdowns as the Bryant University football team opened its season on Saturday night at in-state foe Rhode Island. The Rams earned a 45-21 victory in front of a sellout crowd at Meade Stadium.

Bryant pulled within 17-14 on Ruggieri's touchdown reception in the second quarter but the Rams scored the next 21 points to pull away. Saturday was the first meeting between the two teams since 2002.

Ruggieri was one of four receivers to finish with three catches, while Mukendi was part of a running game that churned out 115 yards. Daniel Adeboboye rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Gage Moloney and Zevi Eckhaus combined to complete 18-of-32 passes for 123 yards and a score.

Joe Andresseen and Ryan Saddler, a pair of senior linebackers, led Bryant with 10 and nine tackles, respectively.

Game Information
Rhode Island 45, Bryant 21
Records: Bryant (0-1), URI 1-0)
Location: Kingston, R.I. (Meade Stadium)

Key Moment

• Bryant made it 17-14 with 5:04 left in the second quarter but the Rams scored 14 points before the half ended to make it 31-14 at the break.  

How it Happened

• URI opened the scoring with an eight-play, 76-yard drive. Facing third down from midfield, the Rams hit on a 41-yard completion to put the ball at the Bryant 1. URI punched it on the next play to make it 7-0.
• Bryant would answer two drives later with a 14-play, 77-yard drive that took 6:19. Adeboboye started the drive with three-straight carries before Moloney connected with tight end Jihad Edmond for 11 yards to Bryant across midfield. Shai Young then picked up six yards on a dump off and 12 more on a strong run up the middle for another first down. Bryant then got to the URI 4 with first-and-goal but were unsuccessful on three attempts. Adeboboye, however, was able to muscle his way into the endzone on 4th-and-1 to tie the game.
• The Rams struck for 10 quick points to take a 17-7 lead with 6:58 left in the first half. A 33-yard field goal capped a long URI drive and the Rams' defense then returned an interception to the Bryant 17 on the following drive. Ivory Frimpong caught a 17-yard TD pass on the first play to make it 17-7.
• Bryant was able to answer, going 65 yards in just five plays. Ruggieri made a 15-yard reception over the middle to start the drive, and a roughing the passer call advanced the ball an extra 15. On 3rd-and-goal from the URI 6, Ruggieri made a great catch on a well-thrown ball by Moloney for his first-career score.
• URI answered with the next 14 points to take a 31-14 lead into the break. The Rams needed just four plays to go 77 yards for a touchdown and then went 65 yards in eight plays at the end of the half.
• The Rams pushed their lead to 24 with a 12-play scoring drive midway through the third quarter.
• Bryant answered with a 14-play, 73-yard drive that was capped off by Mukendi's first-career touchdown. Bryant converted three times on third down and had its drive extended with a pass interference call. Mukendi capped the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.
• URI closed out the game with an eight-play, 54-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 20-yard touchdown reception.

Stats

• Bryant finished the game with 238 yards of total offense, while URI posted 510 yards.
• Moloney finished 9-of-15 for 68 yards and a touchdown. Eckhaus was 9-of-17 for 55 yards.
• David Zorrilla, Young, Ruggieri and Gary Cooper all caught three passes.
• Adeboboye finished with 68 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
• Mukendi, Young and Kyle Cichanowsky combined to rush for 61 yards and a score.
• Andresseen led Bryant with 10 tackles, six solo.
• Saddler added nine tackles, Ricardo Martinez had seven tackles and Javis Hanks and Colin Elliott each had six.

Game Notes

• Bryant and URI were meeting for the first time since 2002.
• Ruggieri posted his first three catches and his first-career touchdown.
• Mukendi rushed for his first-career touchdown.
• Adeboboye posted his 11th career rushing touchdown.
• Andreessen posted 10+ tackles for the second time in his career.

Up Next

Bryant will open its home schedule against Northeast Conference rival next Saturday at Beirne Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. and will air on ESPN3.