Bryant Football spoiled Princeton's 2026 season opener Saturday, holding off the Tigers for a 21-14 Homecoming victory at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 behind a rushing attack that produced 162 yards and all three Bryant touchdowns. Brennan Myer, OJ Ross and Jordan Bennett each scored on the ground, with Bennett's 11-yard touchdown giving Bryant the lead for good with 8:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Princeton freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker made his first collegiate start and finished 15-of-29 passing for 202 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Becker connected with Josh Smith for a 13-yard touchdown in the first half, while Smith finished as Princeton's leading receiver with three catches for 86 yards.
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The Tigers actually outgained Bryant 320-302 and finished with a 20-18 advantage in first downs, but missed opportunities piled up. Princeton threw two interceptions, missed two field goals and had another field goal attempt unravel after a bad snap.
Omaris McMiller Jr. was at the center of several of Bryant's biggest plays. The defensive back intercepted Becker at the goal line in the first quarter, blocked a field goal on the final play of the first half and later brought down Princeton kicker Esteban Nunez Perez after a bad snap on another field goal attempt.
Bryant took its first lead on an OJ Ross touchdown run in the third quarter before Princeton running back Ethan Clark tied the game at 14-14 with a 1-yard touchdown early in the fourth. Clark finished with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Bryant answered with the decisive drive. Sean Wilson Jr., who finished with six catches for 85 yards, hauled in a 31-yard pass to help move the Bulldogs into the red zone before Bennett scored from 11 yards out.
Princeton got the ball back twice with opportunities to tie the game late. The Tigers' final possession ended when Ezra Carter intercepted Becker with 1:11 remaining, and Bennett picked up the first down Bryant needed to run out the clock.
7:32 PM
Final: Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Princeton vs. Bryant Final Stat Leaders
Princeton
Passing: Wyatt Becker — 15-of-29, 202 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Ethan Clark — 18 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Josh Smith — 3 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
Receptions: Aidan Besselman — 6 catches, 35 yards
Tackles: Chase Christopher — 11
Interceptions: Kyler Ronquillo — 1
Bryant
Passing: Brennan Myer — 14-of-20, 140 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Jordan Bennett — 9 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Sean Wilson Jr. — 6 catches, 85 yards
Rushing TDs: Jordan Bennett, OJ Ross and Brennan Myer — 1 each
Tackles: Drake Lusk — 9, including 1 sack
Interceptions: Omaris McMiller Jr. and Ezra Carter — 1 each
7:29 PM
4th, 1:06 - Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Jordan Bennett First Down Puts Bryant On Verge Of Victory
That should just about do it in Smithfield.
After Ezra Carter's interception ended Princeton's potential game-tying drive, Jordan Bennett breaks off a 9-yard run for a Bryant first down.
With 1:06 remaining, Bryant can now drain the clock and close out a 21-14 Homecoming win over Princeton.
7:27 PM
4th, 1:11 - Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Ezra Carter Picks Off Wyatt Becker, But Princeton Still Has Life
Bryant comes up with a massive takeaway on Princeton's potential game-tying drive.
Facing third-and-15, freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker is intercepted by Bryant defensive back Ezra Carter, giving the Bulldogs possession with 1:11 remaining.
It's Becker's second interception of his collegiate debut, but this game isn't over yet. Princeton still has all three timeouts, meaning the Tigers' defense has a chance to force another stop and potentially give the offense one more opportunity.
7:23 PM
4th, 1:50 - Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Princeton Gets One Last Chance
The Tigers aren't done yet.
Princeton's defense forces a three-and-out when Brennan Myer's third-down completion to OJ Ross comes up a yard short of the sticks. Bryant punts it away, and Torian Roberts returns it six yards.
Princeton takes over at its own 42-yard line with 1:50 remaining, needing a touchdown to potentially tie the game.
7:17 PM
4th, 4:26 - Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Costly Penalty Stalls Princeton Drive
Princeton gets into Bryant territory with a chance to answer, but a costly penalty helps derail the drive.
The Tigers reach the Bryant 45 before an offensive pass interference penalty on Josh Smith wipes out a completion and pushes Princeton backward. Facing third-and-18, Wyatt Becker's pass to Ethan Clark falls incomplete.
Princeton is forced to punt with 4:26 remaining, giving Bryant the ball back with a seven-point lead and a chance to drain the clock.
7:07 PM
4th, 8:25 - Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Bryant Answers With A Marathon Drive To Retake The Lead
Bryant responds to Princeton's game-tying touchdown with a long scoring drive of its own.
The Bulldogs overcome multiple penalties, with Brennan Myer finding Sean Wilson Jr. for a huge 31-yard gain to move Bryant into the red zone. Shamar Fowles, who was held without a catch in the first half, also comes alive with catches of 10 and 8 yards on the drive.
Jordan Bennett finishes it with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Nicholas Stoyanovich makes the extra point to put Bryant back in front, 21-14 with 8:25 remaining.
6:56 PM
4th, 14:54 - Princeton 14, Bryant 14
Ethan Clark Punches It In, Princeton Ties The Game
We're all tied up in Smithfield.
Ethan Clark scores on a 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter, finishing a drive that included a fourth-down conversion, a 20-yard Wyatt Becker completion to Josh Smith and Clark's 13-yard run to the Bryant 2.
Esteban Nunez Perez makes the extra point, and Princeton pulls even with Bryant at 14-14 with nearly the entire fourth quarter remaining.
6:53 PM
End of 3rd: Bryant 14, Princeton 7
Princeton vs. Bryant Stat Leaders After 3 Quarters
Princeton
Passing: Wyatt Becker — at least 184 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ethan Clark — at least 60 yards
Receiving: Josh Smith — 3 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD
Longest reception: Josh Smith — 53 yards
Interceptions: Kyler Ronquillo — 1
Scoring position: Princeton begins the fourth quarter at the Bryant 1-yard line
Bryant
Passing: Brennan Myer — at least 76 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Kendrick Agenor — 40 yards at halftime
Receiving: Sean Wilson Jr. — at least 46 yards
Rushing TDs: Brennan Myer — 1; OJ Ross — 1
Interceptions: Omaris McMiller Jr. — 1
Blocked FGs: Omaris McMiller Jr. — 1
6:52 PM
End 3rd - Bryant 14, Princeton 7
Princeton Knocking On The Door As Third Quarter Ends
Princeton will begin the fourth quarter just 1 yard away from a potential game-tying touchdown.
The Tigers converted a huge fourth-and-1 with Ethan Clark picking up two yards before freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker connected with Josh Smith for 20 yards to move deeper into Bryant territory.
Clark then broke a 13-yard run to the Bryant 2 and added another yard on the final play of the quarter.
Princeton will have second-and-goal from the Bryant 1 when the fourth quarter begins.
6:42 PM
3rd, 5:04 - Bryant 14, Princeton 7
Bryant Rolls The Dice On Fourth Down, Then Takes The Lead
Bryant's gamble pays off.
Facing fourth-and-1 at the Princeton 4-yard line, the Bulldogs keep the offense on the field instead of attempting a field goal. Running back Jordan Bennett powers ahead for three yards and a first down, moving Bryant to the 1.
Two plays later, OJ Ross punches it in from a yard out to finish a 13-play, 79-yard drive. Nicholas Stoyanovich makes the extra point, and Bryant has its first lead of the game, 14-7.
6:36 PM
3rd, 7:45 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Bryant Is Knocking On The Door
Bryant has responded to its big special teams stop with its best drive of the second half.
The Bulldogs have marched 66 yards on eight plays, with quarterback Brennan Myer connecting with Sean Wilson Jr. for gains of 15 and 28 yards.
OJ Ross then breaks off a 13-yard run to move Bryant to the Princeton 13-yard line. The Bulldogs are threatening to take their first lead of the game.
6:29 PM
3rd, 12:16 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Omaris McMiller Jr. Blows Up Another Princeton Field Goal Attempt
Omaris McMiller Jr. has wrecked another Princeton scoring opportunity.
A bad snap on the field goal attempt forces kicker Esteban Nunez Perez to scoop up the loose ball and try to make something happen. McMiller breaks through the field goal unit and brings him down for an 8-yard loss, forcing a turnover on downs.
It's another huge special teams play for McMiller, who blocked Princeton's field goal attempt on the final play of the first half and intercepted Wyatt Becker at the goal line earlier in the game.
Despite opening the half with a 53-yard completion, Princeton comes away empty again.
6:26 PM
3rd, 14:54 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Wyatt Becker Opens Second Half With A 53-Yard Strike
Well, that didn't take long.
On Princeton's first offensive snap of the second half, freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker connects with Josh Smith for 53 yards, immediately moving the Tigers from their own 27-yard line to the Bryant 20.
Smith caught Becker's first collegiate touchdown pass in the first half and now delivers the biggest play of the game to open the third quarter.
6:25 PM
3rd - 15:00, Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Second Half Set To Begin In Smithfield
We're about to get back underway with Princeton and Bryant tied 7-7 at Beirne Stadium.
Princeton will receive the opening kickoff of the second half, giving freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker and the Tigers the first opportunity to break the tie.
Princeton outgained Bryant 190-97 in the first half, but two missed field goals and a goal-line interception helped keep things even.
6:24 PM
Halftime: Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Princeton vs. Bryant First-Half Stat Leaders
Princeton
Passing: Wyatt Becker — 10-of-18, 111 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ethan Clark — 10 carries, 44 yards
Receiving: Josh Robinson — 2 catches, 36 yards
Receiving TD: Josh Smith — 1 catch, 13 yards, 1 TD
Tackles: Chase Christopher — 7
Interceptions: Kyler Ronquillo — 1
Bryant
Passing: Brennan Myer — 5-of-8, 33 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Kendrick Agenor — 9 carries, 40 yards
Rushing TD: Brennan Myer — 6 carries, 17 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: OJ Ross — 2 catches, 13 yards
Tackles: Drake Lusk — 4 tackles, 1 sack
Interceptions: Omaris McMiller Jr. — 1
Blocked FG: Omaris McMiller Jr. — 1
6:22 PM
Halftime: Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Chase Christopher Is All Over The Field
Princeton linebacker Chase Christopher leads all players with seven tackles at halftime.
No other Princeton defender has more than three.
Christopher entered the season with 152 career tackles after ranking among the Ivy League's top 10 in tackles per game in each of the previous two seasons.
6:15 PM
Halftime: Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Where Is Shamar Fowles?
One week after a breakout performance earned him CAA Rookie of the Week honors, Bryant wide receiver Shamar Fowles has been held without a catch in the first half against Princeton.
Last week against Hampton, Fowles exploded for:
4 receptions
112 receiving yards
60-yard touchdown
CAA Rookie of the Week
Today first half against Princeton:
0 receptions
0 receiving yards
Bryant has just 33 passing yards
Brennan Myer is 5-of-8 passing
Fowles entered the game as Bryant's leading receiver with 132 yards through three games. Getting him involved could be a priority for the Bulldogs in the second half.
6:13 PM
Halftime; Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Omaris McMiller Jr. Has Saved Bryant Twice
Omaris McMiller Jr. has been responsible for two massive plays with Princeton threatening to score.
- 1 interception at the Bryant goal line
- 1 blocked field goal on the final play of the half
Those two plays have helped Bryant reach halftime tied 7-7 despite Princeton holding the advantage in total offense.
6:09 PM
Wyatt Becker's First Half At A Glance
Not a bad first half for a freshman making his first collegiate start.
Passing: 10-of-18, 111 yards
Passing TDs: 1
Interceptions: 1
Rushing: 4 carries, 26 yards
Longest pass: 32 yards to Josh Robinson
Longest run: 15 yards
TD pass: 13 yards to Josh Smith
Big fourth down: 13-yard completion to Ethan Clark on fourth-and-7
Halftime: Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Becker has accounted for 137 total yards while helping Princeton repeatedly move into Bryant territory.
6:04 PM
Halftime - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Bryant Blocks Field Goal To Send Game To Halftime Tied
Bryant comes up with another huge special teams play to keep Princeton off the board as the first half expires.
After Kyler Ronquillo's interception, Princeton drives 36 yards and reaches the Bryant 14-yard line. Esteban Nunez Perez comes on for a 32-yard field goal attempt with four seconds remaining, but Bryant defensive back Omaris McMiller Jr. blocks the kick as the clock hits zero.
It's Princeton 7, Bryant 7 at halftime in Smithfield.
5:53 PM
2nd, 3:05 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Princeton Takes It Back! Kyler Ronquillo Picks Off Bryant
Now it's Princeton's defense coming up with a huge turnover.
On third-and-3, Princeton defensive back Kyler Ronquillo intercepts Brennan Myer at the Tigers' 46-yard line, ending Bryant's possession after just three plays.
Princeton gets the ball back with 3:05 remaining in the half and a chance to retake the lead before halftime.
5:51 PM
2nd, 4:41 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Huge Bryant Sack Helps Keep Princeton Off The Board
Bryant's defense bends but doesn't break after Princeton's fourth-down conversion.
A false start pushes the Tigers backward before Bryant linebacker Drake Lusk sacks Wyatt Becker for a 3-yard loss on third down. Princeton then attempts a field goal, but the kick narrowly misses.
The Bulldogs take over with the game still tied 7-7 late in the first half.
5:47 PM
2nd, 6:08 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Clark Converts On Fourth-And-7
Princeton keeps its drive alive with a big play from freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker.
Facing fourth-and-7 at the Bryant 33-yard line, Becker finds running back Ethan Clark for 13 yards and a first down, moving the Tigers to the Bryant 20.
Princeton is back in the red zone looking to retake the lead.
5:45 PM
2nd, 8:25 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Wyatt Becker Uses His Legs, Princeton Is On The Move
Princeton has answered Bryant's game-tying touchdown with a quick push into Bulldogs territory.
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker connects with Aidan Besselman for five yards on third-and-6 before a 15-yard facemask penalty on Bryant moves the Tigers to their own 49.
On the very next play, Becker takes off for a 15-yard run, getting out of bounds at the Bryant 36-yard line and giving Princeton another first down.
5:40 PM
2nd, 9:36 - Princeton 7, Bryant 7
Brennan Myer Punches It In, Bryant Ties The Game
Bryant turns the goal-line interception into a marathon game-tying drive.
Quarterback Brennan Myer scores on a 1-yard run to cap a 16-play, 80-yard drive that takes 8:03 off the clock. Kendrick Agenor helps power the possession on the ground, including a 5-yard run that puts the Bulldogs at the Princeton 1-yard line.
Nicholas Stoyanovich makes the extra point, and we're tied 7-7 midway through the second quarter.
5:36 PM
2nd, 12:52 - Princeton 7, Bryant 0
Bryant On The Move After Interception
Bryant is taking advantage of the goal-line interception and has put together its best drive of the game.
Quarterback Brennan Myer and running back Kendrick Agenor have helped the Bulldogs march 60 yards on 10 plays, with Bryant picking up five first downs along the way.
Myer just connected with OJ Ross for eight yards to move the Bulldogs to the Princeton 20-yard line as Bryant threatens to tie the game.
5:29 PM
1st, 2:39 - Princeton 7, Bryant 0
Bryant Comes Up With A Huge Goal-Line Stop
Princeton was knocking on the door of a second touchdown, but Bryant's defense comes up with the first turnover of the game.
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker drives the Tigers inside the Bryant 15-yard line before Bryant defensive back Omaris McMiller Jr. intercepts him at the goal line.
The interception ends an eight-play, 53-yard Princeton drive and keeps the Bulldogs within one score at 7-0.
5:24 PM
1st, 4:17 - Princeton 7, Bryant 0
Wyatt Becker Goes Deep To Josh Robinson
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker just delivered the biggest throw of his young Princeton career.
Becker connects with reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Josh Robinson for 32 yards, moving the Tigers all the way to the Bryant 21-yard line.
Princeton is threatening to extend its 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
5:19 PM
1st, 6:46 - Princeton 7, Bryant 0
Princeton Defense Forces Another Bryant Punt
Bryant picks up its first first down of the afternoon, but Princeton's defense comes up with another stop.
The Bulldogs move 15 yards on five plays before Princeton pressures quarterback Brennan Myer on third-and-9. Myer completes a short pass to Sean Wilson Jr., but it gains only three yards and forces Bryant to punt for the second time.
Josh Robinson returns the punt 11 yards, and Princeton takes over at its own 36-yard line with a chance to add to its 7-0 lead.
5:12 PM
1st, 9:35 - Princeton 7, Bryant 0
Princeton Strikes First In 2026
The Tigers are on the board on their first possession of the season.
Princeton marches 55 yards for the touchdown, leaning heavily on running back Ethan Clark. Clark ripped off a 24-yard run during the drive before finishing it with a touchdown run to give the Tigers the early lead.
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Becker also completed his first collegiate pass, finding Aidan Besselman for nine yards and a first down during the drive.
Princeton made the extra point to take a 7-0 lead over Bryant.
5:08 PM
1st, 12:30 - Princeton 0, Bryant 0
Freshman Wyatt Becker Gets The Start At QB For Princeton
The quarterback mystery is over. Freshman Wyatt Becker is under center for Princeton in the Tigers' 2026 season opener against Bryant.
Becker beat out senior West Smith and sophomores Ty Ciongoli and Eli Friend for the starting job.
It's a historic start for Becker, who becomes the first freshman in Princeton football history to start a season opener at quarterback.
5:06 PM
1st, 13:35 - Princeton 0, Bryant 0
Princeton Defense Forces Quick Three-And-Out
That's a strong start for the Princeton defense in its 2026 debut.
Bryant goes backward five yards on its opening possession, with Princeton defensive lineman Nate Stohl making a tackle for loss on the first play. The Bulldogs also put the ball on the ground on second down but recovered their own fumble.
After an incompletion on third-and-15, Bryant punts it away and Princeton will begin its first offensive possession at its own 45-yard line.
5:02 PM
Princeton, Bryant Ready For Kickoff
We're almost underway at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield.
Princeton is in white tiger-striped jerseys with orange helmets for its 2026 season opener. Bryant is wearing black and gold jerseys, white pants and black helmets for its home opener.
4:55 PM
Princeton vs. Bryant Kickoff Is Almost Here
It's almost time for football in Smithfield.
Princeton opens its 2026 season against Bryant at Beirne Stadium, while the Bulldogs play their first home game after starting the year 2-1 on the road.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
4:49 PM
Bryant Opens Beirne Stadium On Homecoming
After three straight road games to begin the season, Bryant finally gets to play in Smithfield.
Today's game against Princeton is Bryant's 2026 home opener and part of the Bulldogs' Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.
Bryant went 2-1 during its season-opening road swing, beating Stonehill and Hampton while losing to FBS Army.
The Bulldogs have five home games scheduled this season, beginning with Princeton today.
4:46 PM
Who Starts At Quarterback For Princeton?
It's the biggest question surrounding Princeton ahead of kickoff.
For the seventh time in eight seasons, the Tigers will open a season with a new starting quarterback.
Senior West Smith, sophomores Ty Ciongoli and Eli Friend and freshman Wyatt Becker entered game week competing for the job.
Smith is the only member of the group who has attempted a collegiate pass, completing 3 of 6 passes for 24 yards against Penn last season.
Whoever gets the call today will be making his first collegiate start.
4:41 PM
Princeton vs. Bryant All-Time Series
Princeton and Bryant have met only once before today, and that one needed overtime.
Bryant traveled to Princeton in 2023 and earned a 16-13 overtime victory.
The Bulldogs kicked a field goal in overtime before making stops on third and fourth down to secure the win.
Today's matchup is the first between the programs at Beirne Stadium and the second meeting overall.
4:38 PM
Bryant Football 2026 Schedule
Bryant has already played three times entering today's home opener. The Bulldogs are 2-1 after wins over Stonehill and Hampton and a loss at FBS Army.
- Aug. 29: at Stonehill, W, 24-6
- Sept. 5: at Army, L, 59-3
- Sept. 12: at Hampton, W, 31-3
- Sept. 19: vs. Princeton, 1 p.m. ET
- Oct. 3: vs. North Carolina A&T, 6 p.m. ET
- Oct. 10: at Brown, noon ET
- Oct. 17: at Maine, 1 p.m. ET
- Oct. 24: vs. Stony Brook, 2 p.m. ET
- Oct. 31: at Monmouth, 1 p.m. ET
- Nov. 7: vs. UAlbany, 1 p.m. ET
- Nov. 14: at Sacred Heart, noon ET
- Nov. 21: vs. Rhode Island, 1 p.m. ET
4:37 PM
Princeton Football 2026 Schedule
Princeton opens its 2026 season today at Bryant before returning home to face Albany next week. Ivy League play begins Oct. 3 at Columbia.
- Sept. 19: at Bryant, 1 p.m. ET
- Sept. 26: vs. Albany, 3 p.m. ET
- Oct. 3: at Columbia, noon ET
- Oct. 10: at Wagner, noon ET
- Oct. 17: vs. Brown, noon ET
- Oct. 24: at Harvard, 3 p.m. ET
- Oct. 31: vs. Cornell, noon ET
- Nov. 7: vs. Dartmouth, noon ET
- Nov. 14: at Yale, noon ET
- Nov. 21: vs. Penn, noon ET
3:41 PM
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