MANCHESTER, NH (Oct. 16) -- Sophomore quarterback Tony Granieri passed for 147 yards and three touchdowns and Austin Martin gained 167 net yards to lead the Bryant College football team to a 27-7 victory over Saint Anselm College in a battle of first year programs before 3,819 Family Weekend patrons at Grappone Stadium.
The Bulldogs won their third straight and improved to 4-1 overall (3-1 EFC) with the victory while the Hawks dropped their second straight in falling to 2-4 overall, 2-3 in the EFC.
The win helped Bryant avenge a loss - of sorts. The two teams met last season in an exhibition season game which the Hawks won 28-20.
Bryant's sophomore defensive lineman Ben Wellington was a one man wrecking crew, recording five of Bryant's eight sacks in the game, leading to a combined 38 yards in losses to the Hawks defense.
On offense, sophomore wide receiver Brandon Dillingham caught three passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Mike Carti and Markieth Carr also added touchdown receptions.
Saint Anselm quarterback Kyle Van De Giesen (North Attleboro, MA) connected on 14 of 36 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown but was picked off twice.
Sophomore tight end Kevin L'Ecuyer (Fitchburg, MA) led the Hawks with three catches including the Hawks lone touchdown in the third quarter. Freshman Travis Pelletier added two catches for 50 yards.
The Bryant defense held the Hawks to a combined 97 yards rushing on the afternoon. The Hawks put together 319 total yards of offense, while Bryant amassed 386 yards including 239 on the ground.
Bryant never trailed in the contest, jumping ahead 10-0 after one quarter and led 17-0 at the break.
The Bulldogs jumped out in front 3-0 on a 30 yard field goal by Peter DiMartino 2:34 into the game and Dillingham later grabbed a 44 yard pass from Granieri for 10-0 lead.
Granieri later found Carti for an eight yard strike with 2:35 to go in the second quarter.
Saint Anselm pulled back into the game in the third when Van De Giesen hit L'Ecuyer for a five yard strike and a 17-7 game.
But Bryant pulled away for good on their next possession, needing just five plays to cover 62 yards as Granieri connected with Markieth Carr for a 32 yard touchdown score.
DiMartino tacked on a 23 yard field goal midway through the fourth.
Along with Wellington, Bryant's defense was led by Scott Murphy who pulled in 11 tackles (six solo). Wellington had eight tackles on the afternoon.
Saint Anselm's defense was paced by Justin Peledge who notched eight tackles (five solo), while Geoff Raby (Attleboro, MA) and Zak Lord added seven each. Lance Flagg added five tackles and a sack
Saint Anselm returns to action next Saturday at Merrimack College in a 1:00 p.m. game.
