Spring Break
William and Mary conquers URI football team Saturday
Joseph Rea
Issue date: 10/28/08 Section: Sports
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.
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.
