Bulldog Football Wins First

September 18, 2004

BRYANT DEFEATS ASSUMPTION 24-6 BEHIND PEAKS' 111 YARDS RUSHING

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant sophomore running back Chris Peaks (Silver Spring, Md.) rushed for a career-best 111 yards on 30 carries to lead the Bryant football team to its first win of the 2004 season, defeating Assumption 24-6 on a rain-soaked Bulldog Stadium Field here Saturday. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 1-2 on the year while Assumption drops to 0-3. The win was also the first for first-year coach Marty Fine as he improves his all-time coaching record to 19-14 overall.

Bryant held visiting Assumption to just 134 yards of total offense on the day and forced the Greyhounds into six turnovers, four coming on fumbles as both teams struggled to find their footing on the muddy field.

The Bulldogs were the first to strike in the first quarter as freshman quarterback Charles Granatell (Franklin Lakes, NJ) hooked up with freshman Jon Zenquis (Northbridge, Mass.) for a 34 yard touchdown strike to jump out to a 7-0 lead. A 22 yard field goal by Pete DiMartino (Ansonia, CT) made it 10-0 Bryant at the half, but the Greyhounds would close to within a touchdown with a score of their own to open the third quarter.

After forcing Bryant to punt deep in its own territory, the Greyhounds caught a break as the snap went over Bryant punter Mike Lajterman’s (Ramsey, NJ) head and Assumption took over on the Bulldog six yard line. Two plays later, Michael Moyer scored from six yards out to make it 10-6. The point after failed.

The Bulldogs would answer and put the game away on the very next drive as Granatell again hooked up with Zenquis on the first play from scrimmage for a 62 yard touchdown pass to make it 17-6 and the Bulldogs cruised from there. Granatell completed seven of 14 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns while Peaks had a big game for Bryant in the treacherous field conditions in going over the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career. Jamie Tucker completed 7 of 17 passes for 41 yards but was intercepted twice by the Bryant defense.

Bryant will travel to Pace next weekend for a 1:00 p.m. game.