Spring Break
Rhody football defeats Monmouth in first win of season, 27-24
Kayla Panu
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Sports
With a new coach and a new training routine, the University of Rhode Island football team came away with its first victory Saturday against Monmouth University, 27-24.
"All in all I'm happy for the win," head coach Darren Rizzi said. "It was more exciting than it had to be," he said in reference to the opposition scoring later in the game.
Rhody jumped out in front on a 26-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Derek Cassidy to junior wide receiver Tolbert Evans. Monmouth answered with a field goal after a seven play, 47-yard drive.
By halftime, the Rams were in control with a 17-3 lead. The Hawks scored a touchdown starting off the second half to decrease their deficit 17-10 but URI went on to gain 47-yards on six plays to kick a field goal. Both teams exchanged touchdowns for a score of 27-17 with URI in front.
"Our strategy was to not turn the ball over on offense and on defense to fly around and swarm the ball," Rizzi said. "We wanted to keep the penalties to a minimum and cut down on [Monmouth's] big plays."
Monmouth scored the last touchdown of the game with just over a minute remaining .to give URI the 27-24 victory.
Cassidy recorded a career high of 257 yards passing. Sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen recorded a career-tying 10 tackles, making Saturday's game the third 10-tackle game in his collegiate career.
Freshman kicker Louis Feinstein was selected as CAA Football Rookie of the Week.
"We actually recruited him out of California," Rizzi said. "He's going to have a great career. Louis has a lot of talent. The sky's the limit for him and we are happy for him."
Rizzi has positive things to say about his new team this year and they are not just about the football season.
"Probably our number one goal is overall improvement in the program," he said. "We want progress in every area and improve in every aspect. This spring we had the best academic year. We are trying not to focus on the result."
"All in all I'm happy for the win," head coach Darren Rizzi said. "It was more exciting than it had to be," he said in reference to the opposition scoring later in the game.
Rhody jumped out in front on a 26-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Derek Cassidy to junior wide receiver Tolbert Evans. Monmouth answered with a field goal after a seven play, 47-yard drive.
By halftime, the Rams were in control with a 17-3 lead. The Hawks scored a touchdown starting off the second half to decrease their deficit 17-10 but URI went on to gain 47-yards on six plays to kick a field goal. Both teams exchanged touchdowns for a score of 27-17 with URI in front.
"Our strategy was to not turn the ball over on offense and on defense to fly around and swarm the ball," Rizzi said. "We wanted to keep the penalties to a minimum and cut down on [Monmouth's] big plays."
Monmouth scored the last touchdown of the game with just over a minute remaining .to give URI the 27-24 victory.
Cassidy recorded a career high of 257 yards passing. Sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen recorded a career-tying 10 tackles, making Saturday's game the third 10-tackle game in his collegiate career.
Freshman kicker Louis Feinstein was selected as CAA Football Rookie of the Week.
"We actually recruited him out of California," Rizzi said. "He's going to have a great career. Louis has a lot of talent. The sky's the limit for him and we are happy for him."
Rizzi has positive things to say about his new team this year and they are not just about the football season.
"Probably our number one goal is overall improvement in the program," he said. "We want progress in every area and improve in every aspect. This spring we had the best academic year. We are trying not to focus on the result."
