SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Landon Ruggieri caught three touchdown passes in the Bryant University football team's 21-17 home opening victory against Franklin Pierce at Beirne Stadium.

Bryant trailed 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter before Ruggieri hauled in the eventual game-winning score with a spectacular catch in the back corner of the endzone.
Jarrett Guest threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, with Ruggieri catching all three scores. Ruggieri finished with 129 yards on nine receptions.

Beau Shugarts led the Bulldog defense with 8.0 tackles and one sack, while Devon Anderson forced a fumble, which Nicholas Alvarado recovered.
 
 
Game Information
Bryant 21, Franklin Pierce 17
Records: Bryant (1-1, 0-0), Franklin Pierce (0-1, 0-0)
Location: Beirne Stadium (Smithfield, R.I.)
Key Moment

• Ruggieri's toe touch in the back corner of the endzone capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive to give the Black and Gold the lead.

How it Happened

•  The Bulldogs started a drive on the opponent's 45-yard line, and Guest completed a 15-yard pass to Koby Keenan, which set up a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ruggieri (7-0).
• The Ravens tied the game at seven on a 15-play drive in the second quarter capped off by a one-yard touchdown (7-7).
• Franklin Pierce took the lead on the first drive of the second half, which was tallied on a 53-yard pass (14-7).
• The Black and Gold tied the game on the next drive, producing an eight-play touchdown drive, which was catapulted by a 20-yard pass to Ruggieri (14-14).
• On the corresponding drive, the Ravens recorded a field goal to gain the lead heading into the fourth quarter (17-14).
• With ten minutes left,  the Black and Gold defense stopped the Ravens on fourth down and followed that with a nine-play touchdown drive, giving Ruggieri his third score of the game (21-17).
• The Bulldogs defense stopped Franklin Pierce's final drive to capture the 21-17 victory.

Stats

• Ruggieri posted three touchdowns and 129 yards on five receptions.
• Guest recorded 282 yards and three scores, going 26-41.
• Fabrice Mukendi had 78 all-purpose yards (62 rush and 16 receiving).
• Shugarts registered eight tackles and had one sack.
• Ben Silver had seven tackles and 1.5 sacks.
• Anderson forced a fumble with 2.0 TFLs.

Game Notes

• Ruggieri posted his second three-TD game of his career.
• Ruggieri tallied his seventh 100+ yard game.
• This is the third 200+ yard and three touchdown games for Guest.
• Shugarts had a career-high eight tackles and posted his first sack.
• Anderson posted a career-high 7.0 TKLs and 2.0 TFL while forcing his first career fumble.
• Ben Silver recorded his seventh career sack.
• The Bulldogs improve to 13-9 at home under Chris Merritt.

Next Up
Bryant will host Holy Cross next Saturday for Homecoming.