2-9 overall, Rams football falls to University of Maine Black Bears

11/18/08 - The University of Rhode Island football team dropped its fifth straight game as the University of Maine defeated the Rams in the rain, 37-7, Saturday afternoon. The last game at Meade Stadium for the 16 URI seniors wasn't pretty and sloppy conditions were not enough to slow down the Black Bears' rushing attack. Maine rushed 274 yards and red-shirt freshman Jared Turcotte rushed for 123 yards and scored three touchdowns.

"I want to give a lot of credit to Maine today, I thought they just did a great job of the thing they've done all year long is they haven't beaten themselves and they did it again today," head coach Darren Rizzi said. "They are a very efficient team and very well coached."

The Rams struggled on defense allowing Maine to convert eight of its 14 third down attempts. Maine held the ball for over 39 minutes, wearing down the thin URI defense, playing with only six available defensive linemen due to health and personal reasons.

"I was proud of our effort today," Rizzi said. "I think our kids played real hard. Unfortunately we are a little thin right now depth-wise. I certainly think that showed in the second half, especially in the run game."

Sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen recorded a career high 15 tackles and senior linebacker Jeff Ball had 11.

"One thing we really focus on is third down and unfortunately we weren't able to get off the field today," Hansen said. "It definitely hurt us."

Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy converted 18 of his 31 passes for 128 yards and was sacked three times.

Senior running back Jimmy Hughes was a bright spot offensively, rushing for 54 yards on 12 carries, scoring the Rams' lone touchdown in his final home game.

"I've been here five years now," Hughes said. "I can't believe it's already here. I'm really proud of this team. We have put in so much effort and hard work and people don't see that."

"The major difference from this year to the last year is that this team never quits. I'm really proud to be a part of this team this year."

The first quarter was scoreless as the weather conditions slowed down both teams. The Rams got the scoring underway in the second quarter as Hughes capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run. The drive took 4:39 and the Rams took a 7-0 lead.

The Black Bears came right back on the ensuing possession to tie the game on a five play, 66-yard drive ending in a three-yard touchdown run by Turcotte.

Maine would take the lead on the next Rams possession, sacking Cassidy in the end zone for a safety, putting the Black Bears in front 9-7.

The next Maine possession quarterback Michael Brusko hit receiver Tyrell Jones for a 12-yard touchdown pass to put them up 16-7 heading into halftime.

Maine would strike again late in the third quarter as Turcotte scored on a 25-yard touchdown run, and it was 23-7 at the end of three. The Black Bears put the game out of reach after another touchdown run by Turcotte.

Maine added another touchdown late in the game on a 29-yard touchdown run by Pushaun Brown closing out the victory, 37-7.

"Unfortunately we couldn't gut this last home game out for our seniors," Rizzi said. "I did think we really did have a nice effort and enthusiasm going in and we had a good start."

"We got out-executed and out-played, but we're going to walk out of here with our head high because we lost to a better football team."

The Rams 2-9 overall and 0-7 in CAA football will conclude their season Saturday as they head to Northeastern University.

"We are in a different spot than most teams in our conference," Rizzi said. "We're looking to continue to build a football program and I want our guys to really make sure they understand that we need to finish everything we do. I think this will be a good challenge for us this week.