Second half rally falls short as Bulldogs fall to No. 5 Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Bryant University football team was unable to dig out of a 22-0 halftime deficit, falling 36-29 to No. 5 Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at Fitton Field.

Bryant scored 29 second-half points and pulled with a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining but the Crusaders were able to run out the clock.

Zevi Eckhaus threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns, while Jihad Edmond posted four catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Andreessen led the Black and Gold with 11.0 tackles and 4.0 TFLs, while Ryan Saddler had 9.0 tackles and a sack.

Game Information
No. 5 Holy Cross 36, Bryant 29
Records: Bryant (3-7), Holy Cross (10-0)
Location: Fitton Field (Worcester, Mass.)

Key Moment

• The Crusaders converted a fourth-and-1 from near midfield to close out the victory.      

How it Happened

• It was all Crusaders in the first half on Saturday as they built a 22-0 lead. Holy Cross scored on its first possession and then the Bulldogs snapped the ball out of their own endzone for a safety.
• Holy Cross went on to add a pair of field goals and a 17-yard touchdown pass.
• Bryant got on the board with a 10-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half. Eckhaus converted a 3^rd-and-2 to Edmond and then found him on the next play for a 10-yard score.
• An Andreessen sack ended Holy Cross' next drive and the Bulldogs went 95 yards in 10 plays. Derick Eugene made a 21-yard grab to get the ball over midfield and Matthew Prochaska posted back-to-back receptions of 19 and 16 to put the ball at the HC 1. Eckhaus then punched it home for the touchdown.
• Holy Cross was able to answer, picking up a 34-yard touchdown run on its next possession.
• Bryant kept pace, going 75 yards in 12 plays on its next drive. The Bulldogs converted twice on third down and a pass interference on 4^th-and-6 extended the drive. Edmond then caught a pass in the flat and barreled into the endzone for his second score of the day to make it 29-19 with 14:53 left in the game.
• Holy Cross scored a key touchdown in the middle of the half, picking up a 39-yard score to make it 36-19.
• A beautiful pass from Eckhaus to Ruggieri in the corner of the endzone made it a 10-point game again and the Bulldogs got the ball back with consecutive sacks. The Bulldogs, however, had pass on third and goal intercepted in the back of the endzone.
• Bryant would get the ball back again, converting a 37-yard field goal from Ethan Gettman.
• The Bulldogs, however, were unable to stop the Crusaders from picking up a first down.

Stats

• Holy Cross held a 470-404 advantage in total offense.
• Bryant finished with a slight lead in first downs, 25-24.
• The Crusaders rushed for 326 yards.
• Eckhaus finished 26-of-51 for 348 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown. Eckhaus totaled 386 yards of total offense.
• Edmond caught four passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
• Ruggieri had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown.
• Prochaska led the Black and Gold with five catches for 51 yards.
• Frederick added three catches for 61 yards, while Jalen Powell posted four catches for 43 yards.
• Andreessen finished with 11.0 tackles (10.0 solo) and 4.0 TFLs.
• Saddler added 9.0 tackles and a sack.
• Kenny Dyson Jr. and TJ Butler each finished with six tackles.

Game Notes

• Holy Cross now leads the all-time series, 2-1.
• Saturday marked Bryant's sixth loss of the season by one possession or less.
• Andreessen now has 111.0 tackles this season and 250.0 in his career. The 110 tackles are the most in a single season in program history.
• Andreessen is now tied with Patrick Kenney for fourth all-time.
• Andreessen now has 18.5 TFLs this season, the fourth-most in a single season in program history.
• Andreessen has 37.5 career TFLs, the seventh-most in school history.
• Frederick now has 1,517 career receiving yards. He's just the fifth receiver in school history with 1,500+.
• Ruggieri now has 884 receiving yards this season, the fifth-most in a season in program history.
• Ruggieri also has 57 catches this season, tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.
• Eckhaus posted 3+ touchdown passes for the sixth time this season. He now has 22 TD passes on the year.
• Eckhaus now has 2,887 passing yards this season, the second-most in a single season in program history. The single-season record is 3,311.
• Gettman hit his 14^th field goal of the season, extending his single season record.  

Up Next
Bryant closes out its season next Saturday at Robert Morris. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.