Bryant edges Holy Cross in season opener

Email to a friend Permalink

Sunday, September 01, 2013

John Rooke, GoLocalWorcester Sports Editor

It came down to kicks - one was good, one wasn't.

Bryant senior kicker Tom Alberti drilled a 30-yard field goal with just 38 seconds left in the game, while Holy Cross senior kicker John Macomber missed a 43-yarder as time expired as Bryant held on for a heart-stopping 17-16 win Saturday at Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, RI. It was the season opener for both teams.

Holy Cross scored first when senior wide receiver Kyle Toulouse returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown, putting the Crusaders up 6-0 with 11:23 to play in the first quarter. The missed extra point would certainly prove to be big. The Bulldogs responded later in the period with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Mike Westerhaus to Jose Depadua to claim a 7-6 lead. Bryant added a 30-yard touchdown pass from Westerhaus to Chad Ward in the second quarter to take a 14-6 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, junior wide receiver Tyler Artim caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Steven Elder to pull HC within 14-13. The Crusaders then reclaimed the lead later in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal by senior placekicker John Macomber, to make it 16-14.

It stayed 16-14 until late in the fourth quarter, when Alberti kicked the game-winning field goal to put the Bulldogs back in front. Holy Cross was able to drive down to the Bryant 26-yard line on its final possession, but Macomber's 43-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left on the final play of the game.

Bryant held a 487-306 advantage in yards of total offense. The Bulldogs rushed for 164 yards on 42 carries, while the defense held Holy Cross to -3 rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Crusaders also committed four turnovers, while Bryant gave the ball away twice.