Brown trips up Bryant
James Perry wins coaching debut at former team’s expense
SMITHFIELD — The James Perry era opened the 2019 season with an offensive explosion as Brown earned a 35-30 win over Bryant behind junior quarterback EJ Perry’s five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and 410 yards of total offense on a hot and humid Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium.
The heart-stopping game ended when Bears sophomore linebacker intercepted a Bryant pass at the goal line to preserve the five-point victory on the final play of the game.
“Our offense and defense played really well and I’m proud of how hard our guys played,” said coach Perry after the game. “This is as good a football game as it gets.”
Perry also made his Brown debut at quarterback and the BC transfer didn’t disappoint. Perry passed for 183 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 227 yards and two touchdowns, including a 94-yard touchdown run, the second longest rushing play in Brown football history.
His 227 rushing yards are the eighth most in the Brown record book and most ever for a Brown quarterback.
“EJ has practiced hard since the opening of camp on August 24 when he came to the team in great shape,” said coach Perry. “It’s really special for me that he’s my nephew. He will only get a greater command of our offense as the season progresses.”
Brown led 14-10 at halftime and stretched it to 21-10 midway through the third quarter on Perry’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Demitri Jackson. But Bryant scored twice after that, on short touchdown runs by Isaac McCray and Kory Curtis, to move ahead 24-21 with 12:58 remaining in the fourth quarter. Perry answered for the Bears, firing a 6-yard touchdown throw to Scott Boylan and following up on the next drive with his 94-yard dash for a score and a 35-24 advantage with 6:14 to go.
Curtis threw for 404 yards and two scores for the Bulldogs (0-4). Bryant will be at home this coming Saturday for the NEC opener against Saint Francis U.
Brown opens its Ivy League season on the road Friday evening, traveling to face Harvard.