Turnovers doom Bryant vs. SFU
Bulldogs can’t overcome slow start in defeat to Red Flash
SMITHFIELD — After playing its worst offensive half of the season, Bryant quarterback Price Wilson and the Bulldogs were in position to take their first lead early in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Northeast Conference opener. against visiting Saint Francis.
The Bulldogs, who once trailed by 17 points, moved the ball into Red Flash territory trailing by just six points. But, as was the case throughout the frustrating afternoon, the Bulldogs committed a backbreaking turnover.
Wilson fired a slant pass to the left side that was intercepted by Jalen Wells, who returned it the other way for a 68-yard touchdown. Even though the touchdown was overturned because of needless early-celebration penalty on Wells, the damage had been done. Wilson threw three interceptions and the Bulldogs turned the ball over four times in a frustrating 30-14 defeat at Beirne Stadium.
“That’s a very good defense (and) we played poorly,” Bryant coach James Perry said. “There were times where we played physically, which was nice to see; both offensively and defensively.”
“We were really having trouble sustaining drives and the pace of play was against us. If we’re not efficient it’s hard to play fast.”
Bryant (2-4, 0-1 Northeast Conference) came into the game knowing to defeat the defending NEC champions the Bulldogs needed to play a clean offensive game and slow down Red Flash wide receiver Kamron Lewis. The Bulldogs failed on both accounts, as they turned the ball over four times and ran 29 fewer plays than the visitors.
Lewis caught as many passes (15) as the entire Bryant team to go along with 202 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldog defense, however, only allowed the Red Flash to convert seven of 19 third-down opportunities and were led by senior captain Dillon Guthro, who had three sacks.
“It went well,” Guthro said of his sacks.” Kevin Lazo forced him out of the pocket a couple of times to help me. When it comes to the pass rush, it’s a four-man game. It’s the threat of everyone else that pushes the quarterback out to me.”
Saint Francis (4-2, 2-0 NEC) took a big step toward returning to the FCS playoffs with Saturday’s win. Unlike Wilson, Red Flash quarterback Bear Fenimore was extremely efficient. Fenimore completed 25 of 37 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Jymere Jordan-Toney carried the ball 22 times for 89 yards.
Wilson’s problems started on the first play from scrimmage, as the Louisiana Tech transfer sailed a throw over the middle that was picked off by Nick Rinella and returned to the Bryant 25.
Thanks to a missed 26-yard field goal and a Lewis fumble inside the Bryant 5yard line, the Bulldogs were not made to play for their sloppy play in the opening quarter. That changed 4:59 into the second quarter when Cyrus Holder ran a post route and caught a 32-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors a lead they would never relinquish.
Wilson went 0-for-4 with an interception in the second quarter to help the Red Flash open up a 17-point advantage at halftime.
“We’re up and down,” Perry said of his quarterback’s play. “I’m sure when we look at the film there’ll be some really good things that we did and some really bad things that we did. Like I said to the guys after the game, it’s really tough after a loss to eat that. How we handle this emotion will be really important for the rest of our season.”
Wilson completed four of five passes in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs go on a 12-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Tom Kennedy put the first points on the board for the home side on a four-yard jet sweep with 4:43 left in the quarter.
The Bulldogs closed the gap to just six 1:18 into the fourth quarter when Wilson found Hayden Panagos open in the middle of the field. The fullback did the rest of the work, cruising into the end zone for a 46-yard touchdown.
Zahir Williams picked off Fenimore on the ensuing drive to give the Bulldogs a chance to take the lead. Wilson completed a pass to Jean Constant to bring the ball to the Saint Francis 36, but then he was picked off by Wells for the second time.
“We were looking for what we got – a field slant,” Perry said. “That was a heck of a play because that was in man coverage. It was just a little bit in front of him and that he caught it was a heck of a play.”
Saint Francis kicked a field goal after Wells’ stunt cost his team a touchdown and the Red Flash added an insurance score on a Lewis four-yard touchdown catch with 56 seconds remaining.
“Because we’re playing hard, we have some very good things going on,” Perry said. “I think sometimes we rely a little too much on emotion. We’re going to have some things go against offensively and we’re going to give up big plays to a good wideout. I don’t think we handled the emotion of that really well.”
The Bulldogs will look for their first NEC victory Saturday in New Britain, Conn. against Central Connecticut State.
“We’re going to watch film on Sunday and take this loss as a learning opportunity,” Guthro said. “We’re going to run and we’re going to lift and attack this week.”