NEW YORK (AP) — Ricco Aaron Jr. returned an interception for a touchdown and Tariq Snead ended a last-chance drive with another pick as Long Island University held off Bryant 24-19 in the Northeast Conference spring football opener for both teams on Sunday.
LIU jumped into a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter, answering a Luke Samperi field goal with a pair of touchdowns. Jonathan DeBique scored from the 3 to cap a 15-play, 75-yard drive for the Sharks.
After the ensuing kickoff Bryant’s Kory Curtis was sacked for a loss of seven yards, and was under pressure again from two defenders running untouched up the middle. Curtis’ hurried pass was tipped and intercepted on the fly by Aaron, who returned it 34 yards with a convoy of Sharks defenders.
Curtis was 16-for-35 passing for 125 yards with a TD and two picks. LIU’s Conor Regan threw for 199 yards with two touchdowns.
Bryant closed to 24-19 after Ishod Finger ran it in from the 5, capping a 29-yard TD drive that began after an LIU fumble.
LIU’s final two possessions were deep in Bryant territory, with one touchdown nullified by an ineligible receiver.
Bryant took over, trailing by five, at its own 21 with 2:11 remaining and reached midfield before Snead’s interception sealed the game.
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