Spring Break
Rams defeated by Hofstra in last seconds
Kyle Towne
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Sports
The University of Rhode Island Rams football team lost 23-20 on a last-second field goal against Hofstra University on Saturday.
In a back-and-forth, neck and neck, nail-biter of a game, the Rams suffered their third straight loss at James M. Shuart Stadium, in Hempstead, N.Y.
The Rams took no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring on their first drive. The 5-play, 73-yard drive was completed on senior running back Jimmy Hughes' 37 yard touchdown run.
The Rams held onto their 7-0 lead until midway through the second quarter, when Hofstra drove 77 yards down the field on 13 plays to kick a 21-yard field goal.
The Pride quickly regained possession, recovering a fumble by Hughes only 21 yards away from the end zone. Hofstra covered those 21 yards in just three plays, scoring on a 6-yard touch down run by Everette Benjamin. Hofstra kicker Brian Hanly failed to convert on the extra point, sending the game to half time with the score at 9-7.
The score remained the same until the fourth quarter. On the first play of the quarter, senior quarterback Derek Cassidy completed a 36 yard pass to junior wide receiver Shaun Leonard. The following play, Cassidy rushed for a 12 yard gain, bringing the Rams to the Hofstra two yard line.
The drive was finished when Cassidy threw a two yard touch down pass to full back Anthony Ferrer. Freshman kicker Louis Feinstein converted the extra point, giving the Rams a 14-9 lead.
The Pride responded by driving 72 yards on 11 plays to score on a one yard run by quarterback Cory Christopher. Hofstra made up for their extra point missed earlier on with a two-point conversion, taking a 17-14 lead.
Rhode Island was forced to punt the ball back to Hofstra with just seven minutes left to play. The Pride worked their way up the field en route to a 33 yard field goal by freshman kicker Roger Williams, who replaced Brian Hanly.
With 3:31 to play facing a 20-14 deficit, the Rams knew the importance of this drive. Facing a fourth down in Hofstra territory, Ferrer broke off a 21-yard run to bring URI to the 1-yard line. Ferrer carried the ball in on the following play, tying the score 20-20. With a chance to take the lead, the Rams failed to convert on the extra point, leaving the score even.
In a back-and-forth, neck and neck, nail-biter of a game, the Rams suffered their third straight loss at James M. Shuart Stadium, in Hempstead, N.Y.
The Rams took no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring on their first drive. The 5-play, 73-yard drive was completed on senior running back Jimmy Hughes' 37 yard touchdown run.
The Rams held onto their 7-0 lead until midway through the second quarter, when Hofstra drove 77 yards down the field on 13 plays to kick a 21-yard field goal.
The Pride quickly regained possession, recovering a fumble by Hughes only 21 yards away from the end zone. Hofstra covered those 21 yards in just three plays, scoring on a 6-yard touch down run by Everette Benjamin. Hofstra kicker Brian Hanly failed to convert on the extra point, sending the game to half time with the score at 9-7.
The score remained the same until the fourth quarter. On the first play of the quarter, senior quarterback Derek Cassidy completed a 36 yard pass to junior wide receiver Shaun Leonard. The following play, Cassidy rushed for a 12 yard gain, bringing the Rams to the Hofstra two yard line.
The drive was finished when Cassidy threw a two yard touch down pass to full back Anthony Ferrer. Freshman kicker Louis Feinstein converted the extra point, giving the Rams a 14-9 lead.
The Pride responded by driving 72 yards on 11 plays to score on a one yard run by quarterback Cory Christopher. Hofstra made up for their extra point missed earlier on with a two-point conversion, taking a 17-14 lead.
Rhode Island was forced to punt the ball back to Hofstra with just seven minutes left to play. The Pride worked their way up the field en route to a 33 yard field goal by freshman kicker Roger Williams, who replaced Brian Hanly.
With 3:31 to play facing a 20-14 deficit, the Rams knew the importance of this drive. Facing a fourth down in Hofstra territory, Ferrer broke off a 21-yard run to bring URI to the 1-yard line. Ferrer carried the ball in on the following play, tying the score 20-20. With a chance to take the lead, the Rams failed to convert on the extra point, leaving the score even.
