Bulldogs fall to No. 22 URI Saturday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The No. 22 University of Rhode Island used three long scoring plays to pull away from the Bryant University football team, 35-21, on Saturday night at Beirne Stadium.

URI scored on plays of 78, 63 and 50 to earn their third-straight victory over the Black and Gold. Saturday marked the first meetings between the two teams in Smithfield.

Zevi Eckhaus completed 22-of-37 passes for 271 yards and three scores but the Rams collected 10 sacks.

Ryan Clark rushed for 46 yards, while David Zorrilla had four catches for 67 yards. Derick Eugene and AC White and Matthew Prochaska all had touchdown receptions.

Joe Andreessen led Bryant with 11 tackles, while Kenny Dyson Jr. had six tackles and a sack.  

Game Information
No. 22 URI 35, Bryant 21
Records: Bryant (0-2), URI (2-0)
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)

Key Moment

• The Rams scored on plays of 78 yards and 63 yards on two possessions in the second quarter to open up a 20-7 lead.    

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the scoring with a seven-play, 80-yard drive on its second possession of the game. Landon Ruggieri opened the drive with a 25-yard reception and Anthony Frederick made a 14-yard grab to put the ball at the URI 33. A pass interference penalty extended he drive and Eckhaus was able to finish the drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Eugene.
• URI responded with a seven-play, 64-yard drive but missed the PAT, leaving Bryant with a 7-6 lead.
• After a quick three-and-out, Ed Lee caught a screen pass and raced 78 yards for a score to give URI the lead. After the two teams traded turnovers, the Rams were able to extend their lead as Kahtero Summers hauled in a pass from Kasim Hill and raced 63 yards for the score.
• Andreessen helped Bryant pull within six at the break as he intercepted a Hill pass and returned it 28 yards to the URI 20 with 1:05 left in the half. Eckhaus scrambled for 13 yards on the first play and then found White in the front corner of the endzone to make it 20-14.
• Bryant had its chance early in the third quarter after the Rams botched a snap on the punt. The Bulldogs took over at the URI 33 but fumbled on a fourth down play and turned it over.
• A penalty on a Bryant punt helped set up URI's next scoring drive as the Rams started at the Bryant 19. A 16-yard TD run on the second play made it 27-14.
• The Rams put the game away with an eight-play, 97-yard drive that was camped by a 50-yard touchdown run.
• Bryant's final score of the game came on a 14-play, 74-yard drive. The Bulldogs completed three third downs on the drive, including an eight-yard reception by Cole Lakatos for his first-career catch. Bryant's final third-down conversion of the drive was a five-yard TD pass from Eckhaus to Prochaska.
• The Rams forced a safety to complete the score at 35-21.   

Stats

• URI held a 502-264 advantage in total offense.
• The Rams picked up 10 sacks in the contest.
• The Bulldogs were held to just 29 yards on the ground.
• Eckhaus finished 22-of-37 for 271 yards and three scores.
• David Zorrilla led Bryant with four receptions for 67 yards.
• Eugene and Ruggieri each made four receptions, with Eugene catching his first touchdown as a Bulldog.
• Prochaska (3 rec, 31 yards, TD) and White (1 rec, 7 yards, TD) both recorded their first-career TDs.
• Anthony Frederick finished with 130 all-purpose yards.
• Andreessen led the defense with 11 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and an interception. He also blocked an extra point.
• Dyson Jr. posted 6.0 tackles, 1.0 sack and 2.5 TFLs.
• Jack Daly posted 1.5 TFLs.   

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 0-3 all-time against URI.
• Prochaska and White both recorded their first-career touchdowns.
• Lakatos recorded his first-career catch.
• Andreessen now has four-career touchdowns.
• Eckhaus is just the fourth quarterback in the last 16 games to throw for over 250 yards.   

Up Next
Bryant heads to Brown next Saturday to face the Bears. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.