When Bryant University joined the Coastal Athletic Association for the 2024 season, the Bulldogs became the powerful conference’s 16th team and helped the CAA maintain its status as the largest league in the FCS.

The transition from the Big South-OVC hasn’t been the smoothest for the Bulldogs, however, as they’ve gone 0-8 and 1-7 in their first two years of CAA action.

As they look to turn things around in 2026, it will be under the guidance of Chris Merritt, who has been at the helm since December 2018. During his tenure, which spans seven seasons and three conferences, Bryant is 28-45 overall. 

All of Bryant’s CAA games during the 2026 season can be watched live on FloCollege and the FloSports app.

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The first, and only, CAA win for Bryant came last November against struggling UAlbany. It was a 27-24 nailbiter in which the Bulldogs outscored the Great Danes 10-0 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Across two seasons since the latest move, Bryant is 5-19 (2-10 and 3-9, respectively) overall.

From 2009-2021, the Bulldogs played in the Northeast Conference. In 2021, it was the Big South (2022), which then transitioned to the Big South-OVC (2023).

The CAA has a bit of a new look again this year with the departure of Villanova and William & Mary and the addition of Sacred Heart for the 2026 season. 

Will the changes work in Bryant’s favor this time? Watch FloCollege all season long to find out.

The squad will start its 12-game slate with three road games, including a Sept. 5 FBS matchup with Army, the first meeting in history between the two teams. 

The first conference game for Bryant will come on the road at Hampton on Sept. 12. The Pirates were winless in CAA play in 2025 and finished last in the conference at 0-8. 

In the meantime, are five things to know about Bryant University football before the start of the new campaign:

Bryant Had A Big-Time Win In 2025

While Bryant only had three wins during the 2025 season, the first one was a biggie – a 27-26 victory over the University of Massachusetts that ended with a 25-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

The kick was made by senior kicker Bryce Soli, and the win was the team’s first over an FBS opponent. The Bulldogs previously were 0-5 against FBS teams. 

The win came after a season-opening loss to New Mexico State, and the momentum carried over to a 42-6 rout of Bentley University to give Bryant a 2-1 start to the 2025 season.

When CAA play kicked off the following week, a 50-48 double-overtime loss to Campbell marked the start of a six-game losing streak for the Bulldogs.  

Bryant Bulldogs Investing In The Future

Two weeks after the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, the Bryant coaching staff was hard at working locking in the talent that will help the team close out the decade.

During the early signing period, 18 high school players signed on the dotted line for Merritt and his staff, who were looking for a combination of size and speed to get the squad moving in the right direction. The group was split pretty evenly between offense and defense.

A month later, with the transfer portal buzzing, Merritt was able to land another 15 players he expects to add depth and experience to the roster.

How Did The Bryant Bulldogs Perform Overall In 2025?

The 2025 season as a whole may not have been everything the Bryant Bulldogs were hoping for at 3-9 overall and 1-7 in conference games, but six players did earn All-CAA honors when it was done. 

They also can be proud of their FBS win over UMass and the first CAA win in team history against UAlbany. That’s all something to build on, even if the season did end with consecutive losses to New Hampshire and Stony Brook.

Following the season, defensive lineman Michael Otty, a graduate student, was invited to participate in the inaugural NFL-FCS showcase during the first week of January. 

He was one of six players invited from CAA programs, and his performance clearly was memorable, as he was invited to rookie mini-camps by the Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills.

2025 CAA Award Winners From Bryant

• Michael Otty, DL, Gr. – First-Team Defense
• Elijah Elliot, RB, Gr. – Second-Team Offense
• *Keylijah Williams, KR, Jr. – Second-Team Offense
• Jon Fagley, OL, Sr. – Third-Team Offense
• Brandon Perkins, LB, Sr. – Third-Team Defense
• Lonnie Rice, LB, RS-Jr. – Honorable Mention

*On 2026 roster

2025 Bryant Football Results

• Aug. 30 (Sat): New Mexico State 19, Bryant 3 (L)
• Sept. 6 (Sat): Bryant 27, Massachusetts 26 (W)
• Sept. 13 (Sat): Bryant 42, Bentley 6 (W)
• Sept. 20 (Sat): Campbell 50, Bryant 48 (2OT) (L)
• Sept. 27 (Sat): Towson 26, Bryant 24 (L)
• Oct. 4 (Sat): Maine 34, Bryant 14 (L)
• Oct. 10 (Fri): Brown 29, Bryant 19 (L)
• Oct. 25 (Sat): Rhode Island 38, Bryant 17 (L)
• Nov. 1 (Sat): Monmouth 35, Bryant 7 (L)
• Nov. 8 (Sat): Bryant 27, Albany 24 (W)
• Nov. 15 (Sat): New Hampshire 42, Bryant 14 (L)
• Nov. 22 (Sat): Stony Brook 35, Bryant 28 (L)

A Look At The CAA And Bryant Football In 2026

The Bryant football team fought hard to get out of the CAA cellar, and the coaches around the league have noticed the program’s potential as the Bulldogs enter their third season of CAA competition. 

In the CAA’s preseason coaches’ poll last month, the Bulldogs were picked to finish ninth in the 13-team conference. 

That certainly is a nod to how much work the Bryant coaching staff put recruiting-wise and how the 33 new players will complement the core of returning standouts. 

Among those back in action for the Bulldogs will be senior wide receiver/kick returner Keylijah Williams, who was recognized in the Special Teams section of the 2026 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference team.

Williams also landed on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America team.

In 2025, he had 722 yards worth of kick returns, which led the conference. On the way, he logged a 100-yard kickoff return. 

Senior offensive lineman Wyatt Whalen earned All-CAA honorable mention. 

The pieces are falling into place for Bryant. Will 2026 be the team’s breakout year, or do things need a couple of years to steep?

Bryant Football Schedule For 2026

All Times Eastern

• Aug. 29 (Sat): 6 p.m. at Stonehill
• Sept. 5 (Sat): Noon at Army
• Sept. 12 (Sat): 6 p.m. at Hampton*
• Sept. 19 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Princeton
• Oct. 3 (Sat): 6 p.m. vs. North Carolina A&T*
• Oct. 10 (Sat): Noon at Brown
• Oct. 17 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Maine*
• Oct. 24 (Sat): 2 p.m. vs. Stony Brook*
• Oct. 31 (Sat): 1 p.m. at Monmouth*
• Nov. 7 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. UAlbany*
• Nov. 14 (Sat): Noon at Sacred Heart*
• Nov. 21 (Sat): 1 p.m. vs. Rhode Island*

*CAA games

Predicted Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2026

1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes), 144
2. Monmouth, 119
3. Elon, 115
4. New Hampshire, 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote), 105
6. Towson, 93
7. Maine, 88
8. Campbell, 56
9. Bryant, 50
10. Sacred Heart, 49
11. UAlbany, 35
12. North Carolina A&T, 28
13. Hampton, 26

*Villanova and William & Mary left the CAA for the Patriot League, and Sacred Heart joins the CAA for the 2026 season. 

Order Of Finish For CAA Teams In 2025

CAA (Overall)

• Rhode Island: 8-0 (11-3)
• Villanova: 7-1 (12-3)
• New Hampshire: 6-2 (8-5)
• Monmouth: 6-2 (9-3)
• William & Mary: 6-2 (7-5)
• Maine: 5-3 (6-6)
• Elon: 4-4 (6-6)
• Stony Brook: 4-4 (6-6)
• Towson: 4-4 (6-6)
• Campbell: 2-6 (2-10)
• North Carolina A&T: 2-6 (2-10)
• Bryant: 1-7 (3-9)
• UAlbany: 1-7 (2-10)
• Hampton: 0-8 (2-10)

Final AFCA Division I FCS Coaches Poll For 2025 Season

1. Montana St. (14-2)
2. Illinois St. (12-5)
3. Montana (13-2)
4. Villanova (12-3)
5. North Dakota St. (12-1)
6. Tarleton St. (12-2)
7. Stephen F. Austin (11-3)
8. UC Davis (9-4)
9. Lehigh (12-1)
10. Rhode Island (11-3)
11. South Dakota (10-5)
12. ACU (9-5)
13. Yale (9-3)
14. South Dakota St. (9-5)
15. Tennessee Tech (11-2)
16. North Dakota (8-6)
17. Youngstown St. (8-5)
18. Mercer (9-3)
19. Southeastern Louisiana (9-4)
20. Monmouth (N.J.) (9-3)
21. Lamar (8-5)
22. Jackson St. (9-3)
23. Harvard (9-2)
24. West Georgia (8-3)
25. South Carolina St. (10-3)

Dropped Out: Southern Illinois (25)

Others Receiving Votes: New Hampshire, 35; Lafayette, 30; Southern Illinois, 29; Drake, 20; UT Rio Grande Valley, 20; Prairie View A&M, 16; Central Connecticut St., 15; Richmond, 15; Alabama St., 10; Presbyterian, 10; Southern Utah, 5; Austin Peay, 2.

Some Things To Know About FCS Football

The FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, with the top tier being the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision). 

While the FBS determines its national champion through a 12-team, committee-selected College Football Playoff, the FCS Championship includes 24 teams.

The FCS conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs, and the remaining spots are filled via at-large selection. 

This season, there will be 128 programs across 13 conferences. The regular season will begin in late August, and the playoffs will get underway at the end of November. 

Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

• Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
• Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
• Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
• Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA FCS Playoffs will be Nov. 28.

The format includes 24 teams and five rounds of play – first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

Round 2 is set for Dec. 5, the quarterfinals will be held Dec. 11 (one game) and Dec. 12 (three games) and the semifinals will take place Dec. 19.

The 2026 FCS national championship will be determined Jan. 11, 2027, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City first hosted the title tilt in 2025 after 15 consecutive visits to Frisco, Texas.

Every game will be broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks. 

How Do The FCS Playoffs Work?

The 24 FCS teams that advance to the playoffs are situated into a single-elimination bracket.

The top 16 teams are seeded, with the first eight earning byes into the second round. Seeds 9-16 must play in the opening round of action, but they get to play host, as do the higher seeds in each game through the semifinals.

The two semifinal winners then make the trip to Nashville to play for the national championship.

In 2025, Montana State defeated Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim the trophy. 

Since 2011, North Dakota State had been dominating the FCS landscape, winning 10 national titles, but the Bison have now moved to a bigger pasture – the FBS level as part of the Mountain West Conference.

Bryant vs. Campbell Football Full Replay | 2025 CAA Football

Watch the replay of the double-overtime thriller between Bryant and Campbell in September 2025.

Spoiler: Campbell won 50-48. But you to watch the video to see what happened!

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all games will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Watch The 2026 College Football Season On FloCollege

FloCollege is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don’t miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloCollege schedule page for the latest games. 

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