SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team defeated Central Connecticut, 45-25, Saturday afternoon at Beirne Stadium. BryantBulldogs.com takes a closer look at some notes and notables from Saturday's game.
Prior to kickoff, Bulldog Stadium officially became the David M. '85 and Terry Beirne Stadium Complex. Bulldog Stadium has served as the home of the Bulldogs since the program's inception in 1999. Bryant went a combined 61-33 (.649) in 17-plus years at Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs also won the opener at Bulldog Stadium in 1999, defeating Mount Ida, 31-20, in front of 4,817 fans.
With the win, Bryant improved to 11-2 on Homecoming and Reunion Weekend under head coach Marty Fine. They have won each of the last three years on Homecoming.
Bryant posted 460 yards of total offense on Saturday, marking the third time in four games they have posted 400+ yards of total offense.
Bryant's 12-play, 74-yard scoring drive in the second quarter was the longest scoring drive for Bryant this season. They used up 6:07 of the clock.
The Black and Gold also posted a 9-of-14 conversion rate on third downs, its highest percentage of the season. It is the best mark they have posted since going 8-of-14 on third downs against Coastal Carolina last September.
Thanks to the performance on Saturday, Bryant now ranks first in the NEC and 19th nationally in third down conversion percentage (.458).
Bryant also held CCSU to 79 rushing yards, the first time the Bulldogs have held a team under 100 yards this season.
The Black and Gold held CCSU to just a field goal in the first quarter and still have yet to allow a first-quarter TD all season. Opponents have managed just a pair of field goals in the first quarter against Bryant this year.
After committing 26 penalties over the first three games, the Bulldogs had just three penalties for 30 yards against Central Connecticut on Saturday.
Senior QB Dalton Easton (Miami, Fla.) completed 22-for-32 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. He has now completed 20+ passes in each of his last three games and has 220+ yards of passing in all four games this year.
Easton now ranks 5th nationally in passing yards (1,138) and passing TDs (10), and 11th nationally in passing yards per game (284.5).
Senior RB Ryan Black (Joppa, Md.) posted his second-career 100-yard rushing game on Saturday vs. CCSU. He carried the ball a career-high 27 times for 128 yards. Black's first 100-yard game came on Oct. 12, 2013 when he rushed for 137 yards and a TD on 24 carries against Brown.
Junior FB Hunter Taute (Norfolk, Mass.) had one of the best games of his career as well vs. CCSU. Not only did he help lead the way for Black's 100-yard game, he did damage himself. Taute tied a career high with six carries for 30 yards and two touchdowns, the first multi-TD game of his career. He also caught three passes for 36 yards.
Bryant also received rushing TDs from Easton and redshirt freshman Jean Constant (Delray Beach, Fla.). Constant becomes the second WR this season to score a rushing TD, joining junior Matt Sewall (Portsmouth, R.I.).
Constant carried the ball twice on the game's opening drive, picking up 13 yards and 20 yards on a pair of reverses. His 20-yard run ended in a touchdown and gave Bryant a 7-0 lead.
Eight different Bulldogs finished with at least one reception on Saturday. Junior Aaron Aryee (Hartford, Conn.) led the way with five catches for a career-high 61 yards. He is the third different player to lead the team in receiving this season.
Senior Raamah Vaughn (Fort Washington, Md.) led the defense with a career-high eight tackles. Seven of the eight were solo stops.
Junior Patrick Champagnie (Boston, Mass.) finished with six tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
