William and Mary conquers URI football team Saturday

10/28/08 - The University of Rhode Island football team lost on Saturday to William and Mary, 34-24. Rhode Island (2-7 overall, 0-5 CAA) traveled to Williamsburg, Va. and lost to the nationally ranked No. 23 Tribe (5-2, 3-1). The Rams got off on the right foot when senior quarterback Derek Cassidy hit junior wide receiver Shawn Leonard for a 38-yard touchdown pass. URI found itself holding a 7-0 lead only 1:09 into the game.

After William and Mary tied the game at 7, Rhody took the lead 10-7 following freshman Louis Feinstein's 40-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in the first half. The field goal followed a 14-play Rhode Island drive that lasted 7:54, more than half of the entire quarter.

"We did a real nice job of controlling the ball," head coach Darren Rizzi said. "We had a nice combination of short passing and running."

Rhody's time of possession in the first half was 20:05, compared to 9:55 for William and Mary. URI entered the half with a 10-7 lead. Despite the lead, Rizzi wanted the Rams to continue to concentrate on executing the gameplan.

"Our coaches did a great job preparing," he said. "I told [the players] at halftime that we're in this position because we've been efficient."

The Tribe came out in the third quarter and scored on only four plays covering 65 yards to take the 14-10 lead. After a Rhode Island three-and-out, William and Mary took the ball and went 54 yards in seven plays to take a 21-10 lead.

"We played pretty well, but we let up a couple big plays," Rizzi said.

URI again went three-and-out and punted the ball away. This time William and Mary fumbled on the return, allowing Rhody to take over at the Tribe 38-yard line. The Rams capitalized on the turnover when Cassidy punched in a one-yard run. After the Feinstein extra point, Rhode Island trailed 21-17 late in the third quarter.

After a Tribe 37-yard field goal made the score 24-17, William and Mary used a 62-yard interception return to extend its lead to 31-17 with 10:12 remaining.

"This was our second straight week playing a ranked team, with another coming up this week," Rizzi said. "We must approach every game the same way."

William and Mary chipped in a 39-yard field goal with less than five minutes left, making it a three-possession game. Junior wide receiver Nick Del Grosso caught a four-yard Cassidy pass with 1:19 remaining making the final score 34-24.

Statistically the two teams played almost evenly. Rhode Island finished with three more first downs and William and Mary ended with 29 more offensive yards. The Rams finished with a 53 percent third-down conversion rate compared to the Tribe's 50 percent.

"Usually when you go eight for 15 on third down you win," Rizzi said. "This was one of our two or three best games of the season."

Cassidy finished the game with 225 yards passing and 59 yards rushing. He added three touchdowns, two in the air and one on the ground. Senior running back Jimmy Hughes finished with 117 yards combined rushing and receiving.

"Jimmy Hughes and Derek Cassidy did a nice job for us," Rizzi said.

Sophomore Matt Hansen led all Rhody players with eight total tackles. He also contributed an interception. Redshirt freshman Terence Glenn had seven solo tackles.

This Saturday URI is back on the field to play the University of Massachusetts at home. UMass is nationally ranked 15th in the FCS Coaches Poll.

"Our conference is so competitive," Rizzi said. "Every team presents a great challenge."

William and Mary jumped four spots to number 19 with their win.