Bryant holds off Duquesne 20-16 on late Onyemem interception

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- David Onyemem intercepted a pass just outside the red zone in the closing seconds and Bryant held on to upset Duquesne 20-16 on Saturday.

Duquesne, the defending Northeast Conference champion, blocked a field goal with 2:10 left and marched to the Bryant 25. A 14-yard completion put the ball at the 25 but an unsportsmanlike penalty pushed it back to the 40 and on second down Onyemen picked off Brett Brumbaugh.

Bryant (3-8, 2-4) is the only NEC team with a winning record against Duquesne, winning six of the last seven.

The Bulldogs surprised Duquesne in the second quarter after taking a 6-3 lead on a 50-yard Luke Samperi field goal. An onside kick set Bryant up on the Dukes' 46 and on the second snap Hunter Hill went 39 yards for a touchdown and 12-3 lead. On the third snap of the second half, Andrew Brackett returned an interception 50 yards to the Duquesne 3 and two runs later, Daniel Adeboboye got into the end zone.

Duquesne had a 370-216 edge in offensive yards, a 27-11 advantage in first downs, and held the ball 16 more minutes, but had to settle for three field goals.

Robert Brown had 17 tackles for Bryant to surpass 200 for his career. Jesse Nenerowicz, who became the first Bulldog with 300 tackles last week, had 13.