Bulldogs fall to UNLV in opener

LAS VEGAS -- The Bryant University football team dropped its season opener to UNLV, 44-14, on Saturday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 

Bryant was opening its season with an FBS opponent for the second-straight year. 

Ryan Clark scored both of Bryant's touchdowns on the afternoon, while Zevi Eckhaus accounted for 319 yards of total offense. Landon Ruggieri posted 11 catches for 109 yards and Robert Crockett III picked off his first pass as a member of the Black and Gold. 

Game Information
UNLV 44, Bryant 14
Records: Bryant (0-1), UNLV (1-0)
Location: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nev.)

Key Moment

• The Rebels scored on the opening play of the game and never looked back.     

How it Happened

• UNLV came out strong with a long TD run 17 seconds into the game to take the early lead (7-0).
• The Bulldogs were stopped at midfield on 4th and short, which led to a 41-yard drive capped off by a 15-yard TD run (14-0).
• The Rebels nailed a 48-yard FG with one minute left in the quarter (17-0).
• A muffed snap on 4th down put UNLV in a great position and led to a QB rushing TD with no time left on the clock to end the half (24-0).
• The Bulldogs stopped UNLV on its first drive of the second half to force a field goal (27-0).
• Bryant put together an incredible drive in the third quarter, beginning at its own 25-yard line. Landon Ruggieri posted 30 yards on the first couple of plays, which led to Simi Bakare picking up back-to-back first downs.
• Fabrice Mukendi joined his running mate and put the Black and Gold on the one-yard line, which was capped off by a one-yard Ryan Clark touchdown. (27-7).
• UNLV would produce consecutive touchdown drives on the following possessions, both off of rushes (41-7).
• Matthew Prochaska entered the stat box as he caught a 76-yard throw from Zevi Eckhaus to put the Bulldogs on the four-yard line. After a three-yard run from Eckhaus, Clark would punch it in for his second score of the contest (41-14).
• A field goal for UNLV would close the scoring.

Stats

• Bryant finished with a 409-394 advantage in total offense. 
• The Bulldogs, however, were just 4-of-13 on third down and 1-of-4 on fourth down. 
• Eckhaus finished with 230 yards passing and 89 rushing yards for 320 yards of total offense. He was 19-of-29 through the air. 
• Ruggieri caught 11 passes for 109 yards, while Prochaska had two catches for 81 yards.
• Fabrice Mukendi rushed for 57 yards, Isaiah Schmidtke posted 23, Simi Bakare rushed for 20, Kyle Cichanowsky rushed for 11 and Clark had a pair of one-yard TD runs.
• Dontae Lunan led Bryant with seven tackles. 
• Jayvis Rayside and Nick Alvarado each posted five tackles. 
• Crockett III had an interception, while Sean Hunt forced a fumble, and De Vante Ford recovered it. 

Game Notes

• Eckhaus's 89 rush yards are the most by a QB in program history.
• Ruggieri tallied the sixth 100+ yard game of his career, and his 11 rec ranks third all-time for a Bulldog.
• Kenny Dyson Jr. now has 16.5 sacks in his career.
• Robert Crockett III recorded his first interception as a Bulldog.
• Clark registered the fourth Multi-TD game of his tenure.
• Prochaska's 76-yard reception was the longest of his career.

Up Next
Bryant welcomes LIU to Beirne Stadium next Saturday (September 9) for its home opener. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.