Homecoming marks fifth consecutive loss for Rams

10/20/09 - Another Homecoming game equaled another loss for the University of Rhode Island football team as Hofstra University beat the Rams 28-16. The Homecoming crowd at URI's Meade Stadium watched their team fall for 45th time on Homecoming weekend. The Hofstra offense gashed the Rhody defense, totaling 412 yards. The Pride held possession of the ball for 34 minutes as opposed to 25 minutes the Rams held the ball.

"Obviously we got beat very thoroughly today," head coach Joe Trainer said. "We really didn't give ourselves a chance to win the game. We are just not a good football team right now."

The Rams offense couldn't seem to find their rhythm despite the return of junior quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne who missed the last two weeks due to a knee injury. After the game he spoke about his return and the offensive struggles.

"I wasn't worried about my knee or elbow, I felt fine out there," Paul-Etienne said. "We knew our game plan. We knew what we had to do. We just didn't finish it today."

The offense scored only three points until late in the fourth quarter. As a team they were penalized nine times for 140 yards, turned the ball over twice, and allowed three sacks after only allowing five coming into the game.

"We had too many penalties in critical situations," Trainer said. "We dropped passes, we had protection problems, and we were not tackling well. We're not where we need to be in every aspect."

In the first half each team failed to get in gear offensively as they exchanged possessions from the middle of the field. Hofstra struck first with nine seconds remaining in the first quarter with a one-yard option toss on third and goal. The extra point was good and the Pride led 7-0 at the end of one quarter of play.

Early in the second quarter, Rhode Island got on the board when sophomore kicker Louis Feinstein connected on a 31-yard field goal to make it 7-3. The game remained tight as the score held for the rest of the half.

The Rams started the second half with a great field position, taking the punt to their own 49-yard line. Paul-Etienne drove the offense down to Hofstra's 31-yard line, but a delay of game and holding penalty forced them to punt, pinning Hofstra back against their own end zone.

On the third and nine, Steve Probst, sophomore quarterback for Hofstra hit Anthony Nelson, junior wide receiver, streaking down the sideline for an 89-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good, extending the lead to 14-3.

After another Rhody punt, Hofstra drove down the field and ended the drive with a 29 -yard touchdown run by Probst. The Pride then took a 21-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Rhody scored late in the game on a one-yard touchdown rush by junior running back Anthony Ferrer, but the Pride answered right back with a touchdown, making it 28-9 with two minutes remaining on the clock.

Paul-Etienne put another score on the board with a 10- yard rushing touchdown. The Rams attempted an on-side kick but were unsuccessful and Hofstra ran out the clock.

Since their opening day victory over Fordham University, the Rams have lost five consecutive games. Coach Trainer talked about what his team needs to do to get back on track.

"I said to the team after the game that the answers have to come from the guys in this room. We're doing too many things that aren't giving us a chance to win games."

With only five games remaining on the schedule Trainer is hoping his team responds to the growing pains they are currently going through at this point in the season.

"It starts with the coaches. We have to coach these guys better and the players have to take to the coaches. At some point, there's got to be a commitment level to say 'listen I'm truly sick of the result we're getting every week.'"

Rhode Island will head to Philadelphia next Saturday for a matchup against Villanova University. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.