NORTH EAST, MASS. - The Bryant University football team begins the 2026 season in Massachusetts with a road game against Stonehill on Saturday, August 29th. 

The Particulars
Opponent: Stonehill
Location: W.B. Mason Stadium (North Easton, Mass.)
Kickoff: 6:00 PM
Watch Live: NecFrontRow
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Game Notes: Bryant | Stonehill

Series History

• The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 9-1 and are 1-0 since the Bulldogs became DI.
• This is the first matchup between the teams since 2011, and the first game in Massachusetts since 2006.

Bulldogs Notes and Notables

• The Bulldogs will face an opponent from the NEC for the first time since 2023. Bryant is 12-8 against the NEC under Chris Merritt.
• Keylijah Williams was named a Preseason All-American and All-Conference selection. Williams is coming off a career year as a returner, posting 722 return yards, which led the conference. He earned a spot on the All-CAA Second Team and had his second career return TD. He posted three games of 100+ kick return yards.
• This is the eighth straight season where the Black and Gold will begin the season on the road. 
• Brennan Myer will begin his third season with the Bulldogs. Last season, he had his breakout game in the victory over UMass, where he threw for a career-high 318 yards and three TDs, including leading the game-winning drive. He followed that performance with three consecutive games of 200+ yards, before suffering a season-ending injury.
• Wyatt Whalen will lead the offensive line, as he was named a Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention. Last season, the O-line allowed 15 sacks, the fewest since 2015.
• Olatunde Mkparu and Dedric Walker return to the secondary. Mkparu had a career year, hauling in two picks and leading the team in pass deflections with seven. He also had a career day against URI, recording an interception and forced fumble. Walker registered his first career sack when he tallied a strip sack in the victory at UAlbany.
• OJ Ross, Kendrick Agenor, Sean Wilson Jr., Jack Funke, and Duke Bradley all transferred to Smithfield in the offseason and will look to make an impact for the Bulldogs this season. 

A bit about the Skyhawks

• Stonehill went 4-8 last season and had a 2-3 home record.
• The Skyhawks were victorious in their one CAA matchup last season, with a 13-10 road victory against Maine.
• Jack O'Connell will lead the offense under center. He tallied 1,875 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, which were both top-ten in school history.
• Tyler Bannon led the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (2) last season. He was named to the All-NEC Preseason Team.