Bulldogs drop heartbreaker to FIU, 38-37 in OT

MIAMI – The Bryant University football team took FBS member Florida International to overtime but the Panthers converted a two-point conversion in the first OT to hand the Bulldogs a heartbreaking 38-37 defeat on Thursday night at FIU Stadium.

Playing in Florida for the first time as a program, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 16-0 lead and then retook a three-point lead with 43 seconds remaining in the game. FIU, however, kicked a game-tying field goal as time expired.

In overtime, Anthony Frederick's 25-yard TD reception on the first play of the drive gave the Black and Gold a 37-30 lead. On the ensuing possession, FIU converted a fourth-and-four from the Bryant five to make it 37-36. The Panthers, however, decided to go for two and converted in the corner of the endzone to win the game.

Zevi Eckhaus finished 18-of-22 for 243 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 36 yards and a score. Ishod Byarm posted 48 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, while Miami native Anthony Frederick caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Powell added a team-high eight catches for 81 yards in his Bryant debut.

Ryan Saddler and Joe Andreessen led the Bulldog defense, posting 13 and 10 tackles. Andreessen added 2.0 TFLs and two pass breakups. Jayvis Rayside chipped in nine tackles.

Game Information
FIU 38, Bryant 37
Records: Bryant (0-1), FIU (1-0)
Location: Miami, Fla. (FIU Stadium)

Key Moment

• Facing 4^th-and-4 from the Bryant 5 in overtime, FIU converted a fade route in the corner of the endzone to make it a one-point game. The Panthers then converted the two-point conversion to end the game.   

How it Happened

• Bryant dominated right out of the gates on Thursday night. The defense forced a three-and-out, while Eckhaus drove the Black and Gold 59 yards in 12 plays to take a 6-0 lead. A fourth-down conversion to David Zorrilla kept the drive alive and a pass interference in the endzone put the ball at the FIU 2. Byarm then punched it home for the score.
• Saddler then stopped the Panthers on fourth down on the next possession to give the Bulldogs the ball near midfield. Eckhaus found Frederick down the middle of the field for a 45-yard gain on the first play of the drive. A holding penalty negated a Bryant touchdown later in the drive and the Bulldogs settled for a 28-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman.
• The Black and Gold pushed the lead to 16-0 with 2:07 left in the first half. A 13-yard reception by Powell converted a third down and Ryan Clark picked up three to convert on third down later in the drive. Bryant converted for a third time on third down when Jihad Edmond caught a pass in the flat and bulldozed his way through five FIU defenders for a touchdown.
• FIU, however, was able to answer with a 14-play, 75-yard drive to make it 16-6 with eight seconds to go.
• Bryant nearly got the score back as Frederick broke free up the Bryant sideline but was tripped up as he crossed midfield.
• The Bulldog defense held FIU to just 121 yards of total offense in the first half.
• Bryant looked to build on its lead in the third quarter but a seven-play drive ended with a fumble at the FIU two. Frederick hauled in a beautiful 31-yard pass from Eckhaus and Powell made a 22-yard reception and nearly tip-toed into the endzone. On the next play, the Bulldogs fumbled and FIU recovered.
• After a quick FIU punt, the Bulldogs pushed inside the FIU 25 but a strip sack ended the drive.
• Bryant took a 16-6 lead to the fourth quarter but the Panthers capped a 10-play, 69-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown pass with 13:02 left.
• A three-and-out by Bryant was followed by a seven-play, 68-yard scoring drive to give the Panthers a 20-16 lead with 9:25 left.
• Eckhaus quickly led Bryant down the field and back ahead on the next drive. Prochaska made a 20-yard reception and Eckhaus scrambled for 21 more to put the ball at the FIU 17. After a PI negated an FIU interception, Eckhaus was able to plunge across the goal line from one-yard out to make it 23-20.
• FIU needed just five plays to go 60 yards and retake the lead. The Panthers turned a 4^th-and-7 into a TD as K. Mitchell got open for a 46-yard score.
• Eckhaus, however, calmly led the Black and Gold down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard drive. He rushed for 16 yards to convert a third down and then connected with Prochaska for a beautiful over the shoulder to catch to put the ball at the FIU 12. Three plays later, Byarm snuck into the endzone from a yard out to make it 30-27 with 43 seconds left.
• FIU was then down to fourth down but a targeting penalty extended its drive and a 29-yard field goal at the horn was good.
• In overtime, Bryant got the ball first and wasted no time. Eckhaus threw a perfect ball that Frederick caught in the corner of the endzone.
• FIU was able to answer, converting a fourth down and then a two-point conversion to win the game.  

Stats

• Bryant outgained FIU, 470-377.
• The Bulldogs finished with 28 first downs.
• Bryant also led in time of possession, 38:18-21:42.
• Bryant was 10-of-17 on third down.
• Eckhaus finished 18-of-22 for 243 yards and a touchdown. He added 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
• Gage Moloney finished 11-of-19 for 106 yards and a touchdown.
• Byarm rushed for 48 yards and two scores on 19 carries.
• Kyle Cichanowsky added 34 yards on seven carries.
• Powell led Bryant with eight receptions for 81 yards.
• Frederick caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. He added 95 return yards and finished with 196 all-purpose yards.
• Prochaska finished with three catches for 56 yards, while Landon Ruggieri had three catches for 35 yards.
• Saddler led Bryant with 13 tackles.
• Andreessen posted 10 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and two pass breakups.
• Rayside finished with nine tackles.   

Game Notes

• Bryant was playing an FBS school for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs were tied 14-14 at the start of the fourth quarter last year at Akron.
• The Bulldogs were also playing in Florida for the first time in program history. Bryant has 19 players from the state, including nine that reside in the Miami area.
• Frederick posted his second-straight 100-yard game and the third of his career.
• Byarm posted his second-straight game with multiple touchdowns.
• Edmond caught a touchdown for the second-straight game.  

Up Next
Bryant opens its home schedule next weekend when it welcomes Rhode Island to Beirne Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.