Bryant falls to NC A&T, 24-13, Saturday night

GREENSBORO – The Bryant University football team dropped its Big South opener on Saturday night, 24-13, to North Carolina A&T.

Bryant managed just 251 yards of total offense and turned the ball over five times on Saturday night. The Bulldogs stayed in the game thanks to an outstanding performance from its defense. Bryant allowed just 307 yards of total offense.

The Black and Gold trailed 14-3 at half but came out strong in the second half, scoring on its first two possessions to make it 14-13. A muffed punt and interceptions on its final three possessions, however, stunted the Black and Gold's rally.

Landon Ruggieri posted six catches for 110 yards, Anthony Frederick finished with 148 yards of total offense and Ishod Byarm posted a 15-yard touchdown.

Joe Andreessen led the defense with 13.0 tackles, while Ryan Saddler added 10.0. Ben Silver collected a sack and 1.5 TFLs, while Jack Daly had three tackles and blocked a field goal. J.T. Anderson posted his first-career interception.

Game Information
N.C. A&T 24, Bryant 13
Records: Bryant (1-4, 0-1), NCA&T (2-3, 1-0)
Location: Truist Stadium (East Greensboro, N.C.)

Key Moment

• Moments after Silver collected a sack to stall an Aggie drive, the Bulldogs muffed the punt and the Aggies recovered on the Bryant 36. N.C. A&T turned it into three points.      

How it Happened

• The Aggies took advantage of a slow start by the Bryant offense, building a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of scores from Bhayshul Tuten.
• Bryant was able to drive the field on its next drive but a touchdown pass to Fabrice Mukendi was erased by a holding penalty. A fourth down conversion later in the drive was stopped by the Aggies.
• The Bulldogs would finally get on the board with an 18-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman.
• Frederick opened the second half with a 56-yard kick return to put Bryant in plus territory. Ruggieri and Matthew Prochaska made third down receptions and Byarm capped the drive with a 15-yard run to the corner of the endzone.
• After a quick three-and-out, Ruggieri made a beautiful 51-yard grab to put the ball inside the Aggies 5. Bryant was unable to punch it home though, settling for a 20-yard field goal from Gettman.
• Silver then sacked the QB on the next NC A&T drive to force a punt. The punt, however, was muffed and recovered by the Aggies. Bryant's defense would hold NC A&T to a field goal to keep the score 17-13.
• Daly would keep the Bulldogs alive with a blocked field goal that Amari Wharwood returned 25 yards to the Aggies 44.
• Bryant's final four drives, however, resulted in a punt and three interceptions.  

Stats

• NC A&T outgained Bryant, 307-251.
• The Aggies held the ball for 37:19.
• Bryant was held to 3-of-11 on third downs.
• Zevi Eckhaus finished 19-of-37 for 213 yards but was intercepted four times.
• Ruggieri posted six catches for 110 yards.
• Frederick finished with 148 all-purpose yards. He had four catches for 53 yards and 95 return yards.
• Byarm finished with six carries for 27 yards and a touchdown.
• Gettman was 2-for-2 on field goals.
• Andreessen led Bryant with 13.0 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.
• Ryan Saddler had 10.0 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.
• J.T. Anderson posted 6.0 tackles and intercepted a pass.
• Silver had 6.0 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack.
• Daly had 3.0 tackles and blocked a field goal.     

Game Notes

• Bryant was facing North Carolina A&T for the first time in program history.
• Saturday night was also Bryant's first-ever Big South game.
• Anderson collected his first-career interception.
• Gettman posted his first multi-field goal game and is 5-for-5 this year.
• Andreessen has posted 10+ tackles in each of the first five games of the season.     

Up Next
Bryant returns home next Saturday to host Southern Connecticut. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Beirne Stadium.