After Dominating Second Half, Bulldogs Come Up Short In
Final Seconds Falling to Merrimack 41-40 in Overtime
Box Score
ANDOVER, MASS - Bryant University quarterback Charles Granatell
threw for a career-high 296 yards and three touchdowns while Justin
Kix had 11 catches for a career-high 127 yards receiving Saturday
but the Bulldogs come up short in the final seconds, falling to
Merrimack 41-40 in overtime.
Bryant scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Granatell to Sean
Bergin with 2:38 left in the game to tie the game at 28-28.
Merrimack would answer with a solid drive, going 67 yards on eight
plays, scoring on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds
left. The Bulldogs had an apparant fumble recovery called
back one play before the Warrior touchdown.
With just 32 seconds left on the clock, the Bulldogs went
67 yards in the final 30 seconds to tie the game at
34-34. Shane Cheltenham hauled in a 18-yard pass from
Granatell across the middle down to the Merrimack 20 yard line on
first down. Cheltenham had the presence of mind to get out of
bounds with six seconds left on the clock.
With time for one last play, Granatell hooked up with tight end
Alex Chapparo for a touchdown down the middle, needing only the
extra point attempt to pull out the win. Unfortunately, kick Mike
Lajterman missed left and the game went into overtime. It was the
second missed extra point attempt in the game for the Bulldogs.
In the extra period, Merrimack quarterback Colin Temple hooked
up with Reynaldi Audate with a 25-yard touchdown pass, Audate's
only catch of the game.
On Bryant's overtime possession, the Bulldogs scored yet again
as Granatell had plenty of time in the pocket where he found Justin
Kix with a six-yard score.
Bryant, following the last miss on the extra point attempt at
the end of regulation, opted to go for two with Granatell's pass
falling incomplete.
Temple had 432 yards passing for Merrimack while Elfren Quiles
had 14 catches for 200 yards.
Granatell set a school record for Bryant with 49 pass attempts
in the game while Kix broke his own record with 11 receptions on
the day.
Bryant played the game without starting tailback Chris Peaks who
was injured vs. AIC last week and backup Lorenzo Perry also missed
the game with an injury but should return next week. Third-string
tailback Kevin Anderson made the best of his first start, rushing
for 87 yards on 25 carries and scoring twice.
The Bulldogs had 402 yards of total offense in the game and were
penalized eight times. Bryant's defense played well, particulary on
special teams as the Bulldogs blocked three punt attempts in the
contest and recovered a fumble.
Bryant will travel to Assumption College next Saturday at 1 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on BryantBulldogs.com
