Bryant drops offensive slugfest, 48-40, Saturday

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Zevi Eckhaus threw for a single-game program record 450 yards and the Bryant University football team put up 568 yards of total offense but fell just short to Gardner-Webb on Saturday, 48-40.

The Bulldogs rallied in the fourth quarter, getting the ball back with 1:06 remaining. Bryant drove into Gardner-Webb territory before three incompletions ended the game. 

Eckhaus finished 34-of-59 for 450 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He added 30 rushing yards, finishing with a single-game record 480 yards of total offense. Landon Ruggieri finished with 10 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown, while Ryan Clark scored twice. 

Joe Andreessen led the defense with 14.0 tackles, while Ryan Saddler chipped in 8.0 tackles. 

Game Information
Gardner-Webb 48, Bryant 40
Records: Bryant (2-6, 0-3 Big South), GWU (4-5, 3-0 Big South)
Location: Spangler Stadium (Boiling Springs, N.C.)

Key Moment

• Gardner-Webb extended its lead to 48-29 with 11:00 left, turning an interception into six points.       

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the scoring with a 54-yard scoring drive on its first possession. Ruggieri made grabs of 13 and 20 yards before Ishod Byarm made a nine-yard reception on 3rd-and-7 to put the ball inside the 10. Clark finished the drive with a three-yard run.
• GWU would answer with a 10-play, 75-yard drive to tie the score. 
• Bryant kept the offense flowing, going 80 yards on nine plays to take a 14-7 lead with 11 seconds left in the first quarter. Marc Taglieri Jr.'s 31-yard reception took the GWU 5 and Eckhaus was able to connect with Gary Cooper on third-and-goal for a five-yard score. 
• The Runnin' Bulldogs tied the game with a 71-yard touchdown reception on the first play of their next drive. 
• GWU grabbed its first lead with a 73-yard drive that took just four plays in the second quarter. 
• Bryant followed with a 12-play drive that ended with a 35-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman. 
• The Runnin' Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas, going 74 yards in just six plays to take a 28-17 lead with 2:28 left in the half. 
• Bryant was able to pull within five with a nine-play drive to close the half. The big play of the drive was a 32-yard reception by Anthony Frederick on 4th-and-3. Frederick made a tumbling catch of a back-shoulder throw, putting the ball at the GWU 1. Clark then punched it home. 
• GWU intercepted Eckhaus on Bryant's first possession of the second half and took advantage of the short field with a quick five-play, 41-yard drive. 
• The Bulldogs were able to answer as Eckhaus went 5-for-5 on the ensuing drive, connecting with Derick Eugene for an 18-yard touchdown. Eugene made a great play on the score, leaping high over the defender to make the play. 
• It took the Runnin' Bulldogs just seven plays to answer, taking a 42-29 lead with 3:32 left in the third quarter. 
• GWU then posted interceptions on each of Bryant's next two drives. The first came in the corner of the endzone on 2nd-and-10 from the GWU 14. The second was returned 46 yards to the Bryant seven to setup a score that made it 48-29.
• Bryant didn't falter, driving 65 yards in six plays on its next drive. Eckhaus went 5-for-6 on the drive, connecting with Ruggieri in the back of the endzone to make it 48-35. Eckhaus then found Ruggieri on the two-point conversion. 
• The Bulldogs' defense got the ball back and Bryant was able to drive down the field and kick a field goal with 1:43 left. Gettman hit from 44 yards.
• Bryant's defense once again forced GWU to punt and Bryant took over with 1:06 remaining. Eckhaus started the drive with scrambles of 16 and 20 yards, putting the ball at the GWU 43. Four incompletions followed, however, and the Runnin' Bulldogs took over on downs. 

Stats

• Bryant outgained Gardner-Webb, 568-435. The Bulldogs averaged 6.6 yards per play. 
• Bryant also posted 32 first downs and went 5-for-12 on third down. Bryant was also 2-for-3 on fourth down.
• The two teams combined for 1,003 yards of total offense. 
• Eckhaus finished 34-of-59 for 450 yards and three scores. He was also intercepted three times. 
• Eckhaus rushed for 30 yards, finishing with 480 yards of total offense. 
• Ruggieri posted 10 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown. 
• Cooper caught four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
• Frederick had four catches for 54 yards and finished with 123 yards of total offense. 
• Eugene had three catches for 37 yards and a score.
• Ryan Clark had four carries for five yards and two touchdowns.
• Gettman was 2-for-2 on field goals and 2-for-3 on PATs.
• Ishod Byarm rushed for 63 yards on 11 carries. 
• Andreessen posted 14.0 tackles and 2.0 TFLs. 
• Saddler posted 8.0 tackles. 
• Kenny Dyson Jr. collected a sack. 

Game Notes

• Bryant and Gardner-Webb were meeting for the first time in program history.
• Eckhaus set the Bryant single-game record with 450 passing yards and 480 yards of total offense.
• Eckhaus is the first QB in school history to throw for 400+ yards. 
• Eckhaus has now thrown for 2,304 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. 
• Eckhaus moved into third-place all-time with 415 career completions. 
• Ruggieri set career-highs in catches (10) and receiving yards (169). The 169 receiving yards are the 8th-most in a single-game in program history.
• Ruggieri now has four 100-yard receiving games this season. 
• Ruggieri has 760 receiving yards this year, the sixth-most in a single season in program history.
• Ruggieri has 51 receptions on the year, joining Jordan Harris, Tom Kennedy and Vinny Nisivoccia as the only players in school history with 50+ receptions in a single season.
• Clark posted multiple TDs for the third time this season and has a rushing touchdown in each of the last three games.
• Clark leads the Big South with nine rushing touchdowns. The nine TDs are tied for the 8th-most in a single season in program history.
• Gettman is now 10-for-11 on field goals this season. His 10 field goals are the second-most in a single season in program history.
• Andreessen posted 10.0+ tackles for the seventh time in eight games this season.
• Andreessen now has 91.0 tackles on the year and is averaging 11.3 tackles per game. The 91.0 tackles are ninth in a single season in program history.
• Andreessen moved into the top 10 in program history with 230.0 career tackles. He's sixth all-time.
• Dyson now has a team-leading 6.5 sacks on the year.

Up Next
Bryant returns home next Saturday, hosting Campbell on Friends and Family Weekend. Bryant will also honor it senior class prior to the game. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.