Bryant Football Schedule Breakdown: Rhode Island

Part 2 of a preseason schedule breakdown

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The Bryant University football team will play its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 10 against in-state rival Rhode Island. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. 

Game Information
Opponent: Rhode Island
Date: Saturday, September 10
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m.

Series Facts
Bryant and Rhode Island will be meeting for the second-straight year and just the third time ever. The Bulldogs and Rams first met in 2002 when Bryant was still a Division II program. Last fall, URI earned a 45-21 victory over Bryant in Kingston. The Rams scored 24 second-quarter points to pull away from the Black and Gold. Last year's meeting saw the first-career appearance for freshmen Zevi Eckhaus and Fabrice Mukendi. Eckhaus came in for the injured Gage Moloney, while Mukendi posted his first-career rushing touchdown. 

Ocean State Battles
Bryant's meeting with URI will be followed by a matchup with Rhode Island's other FCS program, Brown, on Sept. 17. It will mark the second-straight year that all three FCS football programs in the state of Rhode Island will play each other in the same year.  

Night Time at Beirne
Bryant's home opener against URI will be played under the lights, with a kickoff time set for 6:00 p.m. Since the installation of lights and field turf prior to the 2018 season, Bryant has played two night games and is 2-0. Last year, the Black and Gold earned a 17-6 victory over Sacred Heart in their home opener under the lights. 

Home Sweet Home
Bryant finished the 2021 season with an unblemished 4-0 record at Beirne Stadium. It marked Bryant's third undefeated home record in program history and was the first time in DI program history that the Bulldogs were undefeated at home.