The Bryant University football team fell to UAlbany on Saturday at home by a score of 24-17 in a CAA Football matchup. Landon Ruggieri hauled in his ninth touchdown of the season and had his fifth straight game with a score. Fabrice Mukendi recorded 94 yards on the ground and 50 receiving (144 all-purpose). Drew Montez tallied his first career TD as a Bulldog, and Jarrett Guest threw for 233 yards and two scores. Collin Elliott and Olatunde Mkparu had an interception, and Cole Nilles produced a career-high 13 tackles. Ben Silver and Maximus Villar had a sack, while Michael Otty tallied 2.5 TFLs. Game Information UAlbany 24, Bryant 17 Records: Bryant (2-4, 0-2), UAlbany (3-3, 1-1) Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.) Key Moment On 3rd and 31 in the fourth quarter, the Great Danes converted a first down on a 38-yard pass, leading to a touchdown and breaking the 10-10 tie (17-10). How it Happened The Bulldogs began the game on fire with a 39-yard rush by Mukendi, which set up a 36-yard-deep ball to Ruggieri for the game’s first score (7-0). On the next drive, the Great Danes were driving but were then stopped on fourth down by Elliott, who ripped through the line to tackle the runner. The Black and Gold then drove down the field to the UAlbany 2-yard line to start the second quarter but failed to score points after a fumble on the goal line. After a second Bryant fumble, the Great Danes started the possession on the Bulldog’s 36-yard line, drove to the 18, and then threw a fade route that was jumped by Elliott for the interception. The Bulldogs were forced to punt from their own end zone, which was blocked. Bryant’s defense stood strong, holding the Great Danes to a field goal (7-3). UAlbany began the second half with the ball and drove down the field, capping off the drive with a 3-yard TD pass (10-7). On the ensuing kickoff, Keylijah Williams switched directions and recorded a 55-yard return, beginning the Bulldog drive on the Great Danes side of the field. The Black and Gold then moved down the field, which resulted in a 22-yard Bryce Soli FG to tie the game (10-10). UAlbany countered with a seven-play drive that got the Great Danes to the Bryant 9-yard line before Mkparu jumped in front of the receiver in the end zone, hauling in the pick. The Great Danes began the fourth quarter with possession and led an eight-play touchdown drive, produced on a 5-yard pass (17-10). On the next drive, The Bulldogs were intercepted, setting up UAlbany in the redzone. The Black and Gold defense stopped the Great Danes and set up a field goal that was missed, keeping the deficit at one score. Both defenses stood strong for five minutes before UAlbany stopped Bryant on 4th down from their own nine, leading to a touchdown (24-10). Bryant then had a seven play drive that resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Montez with eight seconds remaining (24-17). The Bulldogs set up for an onside kick, which was recovered giving Bryant a chance for a Hail Mary. The Hail Mary was batted down, ending the game. Stats Mukendi tallied 95 yards on the ground and 40 receiving for 144 all-purpose yards. Guest recorded 233 yards and two TDs. Ruggieri had 3 rec for 50 yds and a score. Montez posted 37 yds and a TD. Nilles registered 13 tackles and a TFL. Mkparu tallied seven TKLs and an INT. Michael Otty recorded four TKLs and 2.5 TFLs. Elliott had an INT, a break up, and three tackles. Ben Silver and Maximus Villar posted a sack. Game Notes Ruggieri now has 35 rec, 599 yds, and nine TDs this season. He has a TD in five straight games. Guest has 1,592 yds and 13 TDs this year. Mukendi recorded his second straight 100+ all-purpose game and a season-high 95 yds on the ground. Elliott posted his first INT of the season and third in his career. Silver has produced a sack in three straight games and has 4.5 this year and ten in his career. Nilles had a career-high 13 tackles. Mkparu recorded his first INT of the season and second in his career. Montez hauled in his first career TD as a Bulldog. Next Up Bryant heads to New Jersey to face Monmouth on Saturday. Categories: Sports