Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU football team concluded its 2022 season Saturday, falling to Bryant, 35-6, at Joe Walton Stadium.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Zevi Eckhaus of the Bulldogs threw four touchdown passes in the season finale, including a pair to Landon Ruggieri in the second quarter that helped Bryant grab a 14-0 advantage at halftime. Eckhaus capped an 87-yard drive by connecting with Ruggieri for 17 yards at the 9:51 mark of the second quarter for the opening scoring of the contest. On the next drive Eckahus and Ruggieri again hooked up for the Bulldogs, this one for a 14-yard score. Eckahus finished 23-for-35 passing for Bryant (4-7 / 2-3 Big South) for 341 yards and in addition to his four touchdown passes was intercepted twice.
SENIOR SALUTE
Playing in his final game with the Colonials, defensive back
Sydney Audiger helped stall a drive in the first quarter in which the Bulldogs were trying grab an early lead. Bryant faced a 2nd-and-1 situation inside the RMU red zone and out the shotgun, Eckhaus threw a pass down the middle of the field into the end zone. Nobody was home for the Bulldogs, however, with Audiger easily coming up with the interception. He returned the ball 18 yards to set up the RMU offense, which moved into Bryant territory before the drive stalled. In his final RMU game, Audiger posted three solo tackles in addition to his interception.
THE LONG BALL
Bryant grabbed a 21-0 advantage late in the third quarter thanks to a three-yard touchdown run by Ishod Byarm, and after the Colonials went three-and-out, the Bulldogs set up shop at their own 44-yard line. The first play of the drive was flagged for a false start, but Eckhaus atoned by hitting Anthony Frederick in stride down the middle of the field for a 61-yard touchdown pass. Frederick and Ruggieri each finished with over 100 yards receiving for Bryant, with the latter recording eight catches for 102 yards and three touchdowns and the former four receptions for 104 yards and a score. Eckhaus and Ruggieri teamed up for a third touchdown reception that capped the scoring, a 28-yard score that gave Bryant a 35-6 edge.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
RMU got on the board early in the fourth quarter, with quarterback
Zach Tanner hitting wide receiver
Demonte Martin for a 40-yard touchdown. Tanner finished 18-for-37 passing for 195 yards, with senior
Bryce Bevins his favorite target. Bevins posted six catches for 73 yards, while wide receiver
Jamal Hill caught five balls for 30 yards. Defensively, linebacker
Bradley Magee concluded a strong close to the 2022 campaign, pacing the Colonials with nine stops, including seven solo takedowns. Defensive end
Rico Watson added eight tackles, including seven solo and a sack.
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