Brown, Bryant Football Set to Renew Rivalry Saturday Afternoon
Friday, September 20, 2019
The Brown University Bears and Bryant Bulldogs football teams are set to renew their in-state rivalry on Saturday afternoon in Smithfield.
For Brown, it marks the first game of their season and the first under new head coach, and former Bryant head coach, James Perry.
“I'm so grateful to Bryant for the opportunity that they gave me. I have immense respect for those kids and that team. It’s going to be a great challenge on Saturday,” Perry told GoLocalProv.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPerry takes over a Brown program that won just three games over the last two seasons.
“We worked very hard starting last winter on trying to be as fit and physical a football team as we can be. I’m very happy where our fitness level is, its a process, but the kids have worked very hard. I’m excited to see where we are,” said Perry.
Meanwhile, Bryant is off to an 0-3 start after giving up 23 fourth-quarter points in last week’s loss to Fordham.
“In the second half, when our backs are against the wall, we have to find a way to make plays. We need to find a way to execute when our backs are against the wall,” said head coach Chris Merritt after the game.
Game time is set for 2 p.m.
Brown vs Bryant
Brown and Bryant have met four times, dating back to 2013, with the Bears holding a 3-1 series lead.
Brown has won the last two meetings, including a 28-23 victory in 2017.
In 2015, Bryant edged Brown 20-16 in Providence.
The game time was moved up due to the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Brown Defense
The Bears defense will be led by captain Michael Hoecht.
Hoecht led Brown with four quarterback sacks and 69 total tackles last season.
He also had 6.5 tackles for loss overall.
The Bears also return senior linebacker Brendon Pyne, who led the Ivy League in solo tackles last season with 48.
In the secondary, Brown will be led by sophomore corner Charlie Dallape and sophomore safety Clay Perrin.
Perrin ranked 15th in the Ivy League with 53 total tackles.
Dallape earned a starting role late in the season and had 10 tackles.
Bryant Offense
The Bulldogs offense is averaging just nine points per game so far this season.
The offense is led by Chris Hindle, who completed 14 of 25 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown last week.
However, he has been hurt by turnovers as he has thrown four interceptions three games.
The Bryant offense will also look to sophomore running back Daniel Adeboboye, who has carried the ball 59 times for 231 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Vincent Nisivoccia and Anthony Frederick lead the Bryant receiving corps for the Bulldogs.
Nisivoccia has hauled in 22 passes for 132 yards, while Frederick has hauled in nine passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Brown Offense
Junior EJ Perry will make the start at quarterback for the Bears.
Perry transferred to Brown from Boston College, where he played in five games last season.
He is the nephew of the head coach.
“For us adding EJ to the team, it was great to see him come out and compete for the job out of the gate. He is a great kid and an even better practicer and he has worked very hard. He had a very good two years at Boston College. We are lucky to have him here, for me I’m lucky to coach my nephew,” Perry said.
While Perry is getting the start, backup quarterback Michael McGovern is expected to see time.
At the wide receiver position, Brown is very deep.
Leading the way is senior LJ Harriott, who caught 31 passes for 413 yards last season.
Junior Scott Boylan returns after catching 30 passes for 355 yards, and also running for 157 yards last season.
Senior Jakob Prall also returns to the Bears after recording 25 catches for 394 yards and two touchdowns.
Bryant Defense
So far this season, the Bryant defense is allowing an average of 36 points and 288 rushing yards per game.
Bryant’s defense is led by Jesse Nemerowicz, and Joe Andreessen, who have two sacks each.
Thomas Wright follows up with 1.5 sacks.
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