Bulldogs Pull Away in Third; Football Drops Season Opener at Bryant, 40-14
Bulldogs Pull Away in Third; Football Drops Season Opener at Bryant, 40-14
Links: Box Score
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Opening the season against a Division I opponent for the second year in a row, the Merrimack College football team fought valiantly but was turned aside in a 40-14 setback against Bryant University on Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium.
The Basics
Score: Bryant 40, Merrimack 14
Records: Merrimack (0-1) | Bryant (2-0)
Location: Bulldog Stadium | Smithfield, R.I.
How It Happened
After a gritty opening 30 minutes that saw the Warriors battle the Bulldogs tooth-and-nail before yielding a late touchdown with 21 seconds left in the half, Bryant wore down Merrimack in a game-deciding third quarter that saw the hosts outscore the visitors by a 27-0 margin, paving the way to the final margin of victory.
While the stats in the third frame weren't particular dominated by the Bulldogs – in fact, Merrimack held the ball longer and was only outgained by roughly 40 yards – Bryant still managed to find the end zone on four occasions, including a pair of scores by Jose Depadua and a 56-yard interception return by Patrick Kenney.
That put the hosts ahead by a 40-0 margin at the end of 45 minutes, and it wasn't until junior Armond McRae (Nashua, N.H.) broke through for an 81-yard score down the left sideline that Merrimack finally got on the board. Until then, the Warriors were in danger of their first shutout loss since the 2000 season.
After three more drives that saw Bryant punt, Merrimack toss an interception for the third time in the game, and Bryant turn it over on downs, the Warriors mounted one last six-play, 72-yard drive over a span of 1:53 that a pair of 20-plus-yard strikes from freshman quarterback Joe Capobianco (Oceanside, N.Y.) and ended with the rookie QB sneaking in from one yard out to account for the final score of the game.
Inside The Numbers
- Bryant dominated the battle in the trenches, rushing for 287 yards with Paul Canevari leading the charge (123 yards, 1 TD); Ricardo McCray and Depadua each contributed another rushing touchdown apiece
- Sophomore wide receiver Justin Mount (Westford, Mass.) led the aerial assault with 114 receiving yards, including a team-best 28-yard reception
- Capobianco replaced senior Luke Bakanowsky (Ashburnham, Mass.) in the third and finished with 181 yards and two interceptions; the latter tossed for 90 yards and was picked off once, and both completed 12 passes apiece
- Sophomore Devonte Jones (Baltimore, Md.) led the defense with 11 tackles, while classmate Carey Wells-Jowers (Baltimore, Md.) and freshman Josh Hill (Glastonbury, Conn.) each recorded their first career sack
- Overall, the Bulldogs outgained Merrimack by a 403-340 margin, while Merrimack held a 271-116 edge in passing yards
- Merrimack finished just 4-for-16 (25.0%) in third-down conversions and held the ball for just 22:54 of possession time
Up Next
The Warriors stay on the road next week and open Northeast-10 Conference action at Pace on Sept. 13. Kickoff from Pleasantville, New York, is set for 12 p.m.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
