Smithfield, R.I. (Nov. 14, 2009) – An unexpected offensive explosion in the first half gave way to defensive trench warfare as the Saint Francis Red Flash fell 35-12 to the Bryant Bulldogs in a muddy road finale in Rhode Island.

The Red Flash fall to 2-7 overall, 1-6 in the Northeast Conference, while the Bulldogs ascend to 4-6 overall, 3-4 in the conference.

The Red Flash and the Bulldogs entered this game ranked second and fourth in the conference, respectively, in total defense.  Neither team was prepared for what was to come in the first quarter, as the two teams combined for four touchdowns in the opening stanza.

“We knew they were going to be a physical team right out of the gate,” said Red Flash head coach Dave Opfar.  “They did a nice job of adjusting to the muddy conditions and made it happen.”

The scoring opened when Bulldog tailback Jerell Smith carried five times for 77 yards on Bryant's opening drive, carrying the ball in from 23 yards out to put the home team on the scoreboard 7-0.  After Jude Yearwood (Elkridge, Md./Howard) (Elkridge, Md./Howard) fumbled the first SFU offensive play at his own 24, Smith carried three more times for 24 yards and another touchdown.

Bryant came into the contest averaging just more than 15 points per game; after less than four minutes, they had already scored 14.

“They came out with a commitment to running the ball,” said Opfar.  “They have a special running back to do it with, too.”

The Flash would counter immediately, though; on their very next snap, Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) (Easton, Pa./Easton) busted loose on his fourth 50+ yard run in three games, recording a 62-yard run to the endzone to pull his team within one score.  Harbridge finished with 114 yards on 14 carries, his second 100-yard game in his past three.

After a bobbled snap led to a failed Flash PAT, the Bulldogs delivered the final score they would need when quarterback Mike Croce found tight end Matt Tracey from 25 yards to make the score 21-6.

Yearwood would add a 15-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second quarter to make it 21-12, but the Flash would be unable to convert the two-point attempt.  Bryant would score touchdowns on the next two possessions to make it 35-12, and that is what the score would remain for the rest of the game.

The game featured both sloppy conditions and accompanying play.  There were 12 fumbles in the contest, five of which resulted in turnovers, and the two teams were penalized 15 times for 127 yards.  However, the Red Flash passing game suffered the worst; Red Flash quarterbacks were a combined 2-for-13 for a minute two yards and one interception.

On defense, the Red Flash were led by Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk), who finished with nine tackles, 2.0 for a loss.

The Red Flash will wrap up their 2009 season against Central Connecticut State on Saturday, November 21.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.