Bryant opens 2022 season Thursday night at FIU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team opens the 2022 season on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Florida International. 

It will make Bryant's first trip to the state of Florida. Thursday's game will be streamed on ESPN3. 

The Particulars
Opponent: Florida International
Location: FIU Stadium (Miami, Fla.)
Kickoff: 7:02 p.m.
Watch Live: ESPN3
Live Stats: Sidearm
Game Notes: Bryant | FIU

Series History

• Bryant and FIU will be meeting for the first time in program history.    

Bulldogs in the 305

• Bryant will be playing its first game in the Sunshine State. 
• The Bulldogs have a history of recruiting players out of the state, with all-time leading passer Dalton Easton and second leading receiver Chad Ward both calling Florida home. 
• This year's team features 19 players from the state and eight from the Miami/Broward area. 
• Head coach Chris Merritt will also have a homecoming as he spent 18 years as the head coach at Christopher Columbus which is just a few miles from FIU's campus. 

Bulldogs Notes and Notables

• Bryant finished the 2021 season with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the NEC. The seven wins were the most since 2014, while the five league wins were the most in DI program history.
• Bryant went 4-0 at home last season, it's first undefeated home season in DI program history. 
• The Bulldogs will be playing as associate members of the Big South starting this year. 
• Bryant returns nine starters on offense and eight starters on defense.
• Zevi Eckhaus returns after finishing fourth in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in FCS football.
• Eckhaus threw for 2,392 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season. He threw at least two TDs in each of his last eight games. 
• Eckhaus was named the NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year and to the All-NEC First Team.  
• Bryant also returns All-NEC selections Jack Daly, Joe Andreessen, Ryan Saddler, Kenny Dyson Jr., David Zorrilla and Trevor Smith.
• Daly and Andreessen have each earned First Team All-NEC honors in each of the last two years.   
• Ryan Saddler and Joe Andreessen combined for 171.0 tackles on the year ranked second and third in the NEC in tackles.  

A bit about the Panthers

• FIU is coming off a 1-11 season in 2021 and play as members of Conference USA. 
• The Panthers return 5 starters, including leading WR Tyrese Chambers. 

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