Bulldogs fall to CCSU on Saturday
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Junior Landon Ruggieri caught a pair of touchdowns but Central Connecticut limited the Bryant University football team to just 220 yards of total offense, handing the Bulldogs a 30-15 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Arute Field.
With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 3-2 in the Northeast Conference, a game behind Sacred Heart who defeated Saint Francis U on Saturday.
Bryant was unable to get much going against the Blue Devils, finishing with just 220 yards of total offense and just 16 first downs. Ruggieri caught three passes for 12 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, seniors Joe Andreessen and Ryan Saddler combined for 29 tackles. Andreessen had 14.0 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and a forced fumble. Saddler posted 15.0 tackles, while Kenny Dyson Jr. recorded an interception and a sack.
Game Information
Central Connecticut 30, Bryant 15
Records: Bryant (5-4, 3-2 NEC), CCSU (3-6, 3-2 NEC)
Location: New Britain, Conn. (Arute Field)
Key Moment
- At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Central Connecticut made it a 16-point game with a 25-yard field goal.
How it Happened
- Central Connecticut grabbed the early lead as Ifeanyi Okorji intercepted a Bryant pass and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was no good.
- It remained 6-0 into the second quarter when Bryant took advantage of a turnover. Dyson Jr. intercepted a pass at the line of scrimmage, giving Bryant the ball at the CCSU 21. Landon Ruggieri caught a nine-yard pass for a touchdown to give Bryant a 7-6 lead five plays later.
- CCSU was able to regain the lead with a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive at the end of the second quarter. Tyshaun James caught a 10-yard pass to make it 13-7.
- The Blue Devils pushed its lead to 23-7 with a touchdown in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth. Nasir Smith capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run. Joe Zoppi's 25-yard field goal made it 23-7 with 14:14 to go in the fourth.
- Bryant drove into the redzone twice in the fourth quarter but only came away with seven points. A fumble on 4th down at the CCSU 5 ended the first drive. On the second drive, Ruggieri caught his second touchdown. Bryant converted a two-point conversion to make it 23-15.
- CCSU put the game away with a fumble recovery in the endzone with 33 seconds remaining.
Stats
- CCSU outgained Bryant 329-210.
- The Blue Devils led in first downs as well, 19-15.
- Zevi Eckhaus finished 16-of-34 for 114 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
- Eckhaus also rushed for 49 yards on 10 carries.
- Ruggieri and Daniel Adeboboye each finished with three catches. Ruggieri finished with 12 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
- Andreessen finished with 14 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and a forced fumble.
- Saddler had 15 tackles and a TFL.
- Dyson Jr. finished with 6.0 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack and an interception.
- Andre Brackett posted 6.0 tackles and returned five kicks for 121 yards.
Game Notes
- Bryant is now 4-9 all-time against Central Connecticut.
- Eckhaus has now thrown 2+ touchdowns in each of his last six games.
- Ruggieri posted his first-career multi-TD game and now has four on the year.
- Dyson Jr. posted his first-career interception. He also had his team-leading sixth sack.
- Saddler set a career-high with his 15 tackles.
- Andreessen's 14 tackles are a season-high and the second-most of his career.
Up Next
Bryant returns to Beirne Stadium next weekend for its final home game of the 2021 season. The Bulldogs will honor their senior class prior to taking on LIU at 1:00 p.m.