Ben

Bryant

It will be a welcome home party for Bryant (6'3/218) as he makes his return to the Bearcats. Bryant sat behind Desmond Ridder from 2018-2020 as he ascended into a top college quarterback, and because of that, he decided to transfer in order to get more playing time. As a starter EMU this season, he threw for 3,121 yards, a 14:7 TD: INT ratio, and completed 68.4% percent of passes. Although not official, Ridder is likely moving on to the NFL, allowing Bryant to over the starting job in 2022.

Bryant (6'3"/218) had a nice season by the numbers, throwing for 3121 yards, 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions on 68.4% completion, but EMU had a lack luster finish to their season that saw Bryant benched in their bowl game against Liberty. In fact, Bryant failed to throw a touchdown in their last three games. Bryant had transferred to the Eagles from Cincinnati, and will look for another new home for the 2022 season.

Bryant (6'3/218) had a great season with the Eagles, but it ended in a somewhat tragic fashion. The first drive of the game resulted in a field goal, but two drives later, he threw an ugly pick-six that allowed the Flames to extend their lead early. He followed it up with a touchdown drive capped off by a Samson Evans touchdown run, but that was the end of the positive play. Three turnovers on downs and three three-and-out’s later, Bryand was removed for Preston Huchinson who had started every game last season for the Eagles. Bryant finishes his career with 3,121 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Bryant (6'3"/218) couldn’t do much in a game that was close until the fourth quarter. Central Michigan was only up 10-3 at halftime, and the Eagles managed to pull back a score in to make it 17-10 before Central Michigan pulled away in the fourth. Bryant was kept pretty short, unable to complete passes deep, and he took seven sacks that didn’t help. He didn’t turn the ball over though. Bryant has been solid for EMU since transferring from Cincinnati, but hasn’t been able to make big plays for the Eagles or be much more than a game manager. He didn’t get much help from a smothered run game to be fair. EMU won seven games though, which means they’ll be bowling.

Tuesday night was not a great night for Bryant (6'3/218). He wasn’t able to push the ball down the field, but took what was given to him in the short/intermediate game. Luckily for the Eagles, Bryant wasn’t asked to do much, as they ran for a whopping 247 yards on the ground. Down five points late in the game, Bryant was efficient, completing five-of-seven passes on a 14-play drive that resulted in a field goal. With a win next Friday over Central Michigan, the Eagles have an outside shot to make the MAC Title Game if they get some help.

Bryant (6'3/218) threw a season-high 57 passes in this one, as he and the Eagles trailed throughout this one. His lone touchdown pass on the day came in the third quarter on a five-yard pass to Dylan Drummond to tie the game at 20-20, but that was the closest Eastern Michigan would get after trailed 20-13 at halftime. Bryant managed just 6.2 yards per attempt in this game, his lowest of the season since averaging 3.3 Y/A in Week 2 against Wisconsin, as he and the Eagles never quite found their groove on offense throughout this one. Now sitting at 6-4 on the season, Eastern Michigan will look to rebound next Tuesday night against in-state rival Western Michigan.

With his second-consecutive game posting a completion percentage above 70 percent, Bryant (6'3/218) has really taken command of this Eagles offense. Bryant took control of this game early with both a passing and rushing touchdown in the second quarter and started the second half off with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Gunnar Oakes. After battling for the starting job early in the season with Preston Hutchinson, Bryant has eliminated any controversy with his play over the last five games. He will lead the 5-3 Eagles against Toledon on Tuesday, November 2nd.

The Eagles fall to 4-3 since turning from Preston Hutchinson to Bryant at quarterback. Bryant’s highlight of the day was a 41-yard touchdown strike to veteran starting WR Dylan Drummond in the fourth quarter to pull EMU within 31-24. Unfortunately, BSU didn’t let EMU any closer than that. Bryant, a Wisconsin transfer, came into today completing 66% of his passes for 8.6 YPA and a 7/2 TD/INT. Today he completed 72.9% for 6.9 YPA along with the pair of turnovers (the only turnovers in the game). EMU, 4-3, heads to Bowling Green next Saturday.

Bryant’s (6'3/218) first and only touchdown pass of the day came on a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bryson Cannon to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter. Bryant was under pressure all day, as he took six sacks, but managed to get Eastern Michigan across the finish line with a narrow victory to put the Eagles at 4-2 on the season. Michigan State will host Ball State next Saturday.

Bryant (6'3/218) picked a bad game to throw his first interception, as the pick-six by Jaden Dolphin put the Huskies up 17-0. The Eagles fought valiantly, but were unable to complete the comeback in the end. This was Bryant’s first game with over 300 yards passing and the second game in a row with multiple passing touchdowns. The Eagles take on Miami (OH) on Saturday.