SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Monmouth’s defense stopped Bryant on fourth-and-1 from its 6 with 1:03 left to hold on for a 40-35 Northeast Conference victory on Saturday.
The Hawks (3-3, 2-1) took a 40-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter on Craig Peterson’s 18-yard pass to Neal Sterling, but the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-2) cut it to 40-35 with 5:31 left on Mike Croce’s 11-yard pass to Matt Tracey.
Bryant forced the Hawks to punt and Ryan Mohr’s short kick traveled just 21 yards before being downed at the Monmouth 46 with 2:12 remaining.
After two first downs moved the ball to the 15, a fumble by Croce lost 5 yards. He picked up 14 yards on third-and-15 with a pass to Jose DePadua, but his fourth-down pass from the 6 was incomplete.
Jordan Brown carried 26 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns for Bryant. Julian Hayes rushed for three touchdowns for Monmouth.
