Bryant downs Wagner, 31-10, Saturday

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Joe Andreessen intercepted two passes and Jayvis Rayside added his second interception of the season to help the Bryant University football team earn a 31-10 victory over Wagner College on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs have now won back-to-back games and move into a tie for first place with Duquesne and Sacred Heart.

On Saturday, Bryant's defense held Wagner to just 214 yards of offense and didn't allow an offensive touchdown. All three takeaways came in the second half as the Black and Gold blanked the Seahawks over the final two quarters. Ryan Saddler led Bryant with nine tackles.

Offensively, Zevi Eckhaus completed 22-of-36 passes for 236 yards and two scores, while also rushing for a touchdown. Anthony Frederick caught four passes for 73 yards and a score and David Zorrilla made six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Ishod Finger, making his season debut, rushed for a touchdown, while Fabrice Mukendi ran for 94 yards on 17 carries.

Game Information
Bryant 31, Wagner 10
Records: Bryant (5-3, 3-1 NEC), Wagner (0-7, 0-3 NEC)
Location: Staten Island, N.Y. (Hameline Field)

Key Moment

• Leading 17-10 late in the first half, Wagner appeared destined to tie the game as quarterback Guensen Alexis raced towards the endzone with no one in front him. Saddler, however, caught up to him and put enough pressure on him that he fumbled the ball before crossing the goal line. The ball then rolled out of the endzone, giving Bryant the ball on a touchback.

How it Happened

• Wagner grabbed the lead on Saturday, taking advantage of a Bryant fumble on a punt return. Starting at the Bulldogs' 18. Bryant was able to hold the Seahawks to a 37-yard field goal.
• Bryant answered with a field goal of its own. Fabrice Mukendi ripped off runs of 13 and 18 yards to help ignite the drive. The Bulldogs then converted a 4th-and-1 but were forced to kick a field goal four plays later. Luke Samperi's 24-yard field goal tied the game.
• Wagner grabbed the lead with a defensive touchdown in the second quarter. An errant pass was ruled to be a fumble and the Seahawks scooped it up and returned it 83 yards for a touchdown.
• Bryant, however, responded with the next 14 points to take a 17-10 lead to the locker room. A defensive holding and pass interference call helped Bryant push the ball to the Wagner 28. Eckhaus then completed a perfect throw to Landon Ruggieri on 3rd-and-7. Finger then took the pitch and weaved his way into the corner of the endzone to tie the game with 7:24 left in the half.
• The Bulldog defense then forced another quick three-and-out. Starting at the Wagner 38, Finger picked up seven yards before Eckhaus hit Frederick in stride down the far sideline for a 31-yard touchdown. The score made it 17-10 with 5:07 left.
• The Black and Gold then got a break late in the half. Wagner QB Guenson Alexis scrambled and was poised to tie the game but late pressure from Ryan Saddler forced Alexis to fumble the ball before he crossed the goal line. The ball went through the endzone, giving Bryant the ball back.
• Andreessen and Saddler then single-handedly stymied Wagner's first three drives of the second half. Andreessen intercepted two passes and Saddler made all three stops, including a sack, on a 3-and-out.
• Andreessen's second INT led to a Bryant touchdown as well. The Bulldogs took over at the Wagner 20 and Eckhaus found Zorrilla for a six-yard scoring strike to make it 24-10.
• Rayside then added his second interception of the season to end a Wagner drive at the Bryant 1. He leaped in the endzone to pick off the pass.
• Bryant followed the Rayside interception with an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Matt Prochaska made a 15-yard grab to put the ball at the Wagner 3 and Eckhaus capped the drive with a three-yard TD run two plays later.

Stats

• Bryant outgained Wagner, 373-214.
• The Bulldogs posted three interceptions. Bryant, however, did turn the ball over twice.
• The Black and Gold held Wagner to just 76 yards of rushing.
• Eckhaus finished 22-of-36 for 236 yards and two scores. He carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards and a score.
• Frederick caught four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
• Zorrilla caught six passes for 65 yards and a score.
• Mukendi rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries.
• Finger rushed for 22 yards and a score on eight carries.
• Jihad Edmond had four catches for 26 yards.
• Saddler led the defense with nine tackles, 2.0 TFLs and 1.0 sack.
• Rayside added 4.0 tackles and an interception.
• Andreessen intercepted two passes and had a TFL.

Game Notes

• Bryant owns a 10-4 lead in the all-time series with Wagner.
• Finger, Brackett and David Onyemem were all making their season debuts for the Bulldogs.
• Finger has scored a touchdown in both of his games as a Bulldog.
• Eckhaus has now thrown for 200+ yards and 2+ TDs in five-straight games.
• Frederick posted his team-leading fifth TD reception of the year.
• Zorrilla has now caught 29 passes for 365 yards over the last four games.
• Andreessen now has a team-high three interceptions on the year.
• Rayside posted his second interception of the year.

Up Next

Bryant's bye week is this Saturday, Oct. 30. The Bulldogs will return to the field on November 6 at Central Connecticut.