Fumbles spell trouble for URI in tough loss 36-28
Chris Smith
Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: Sports
10/14/09 - The University of Rhode Island football team lost its fourth straight game to Towson University 36-28 Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium.
Towson put the pressure on early, scoring 20 points on its first three possessions in the opening eight minutes of the game. Redshirt freshman running back Tremayne Dameron scored twice on those possessions. Rhode Island senior quarterback D.J. Stefkovich fumbled the ball twice in their first three possessions, giving the Tigers the opportunity to open up the big lead.
"Obviously it was disappointing," Head Coach Joe Trainer said.
"We set a goal to win all our home games, and we came up short on that end. We got down 20-0 real early and played behind the rest of the way. We're not where we need to be right now."
The Rams out-gained their opponent for the second straight week, compiling 329 yards to Towson's 323 yards. However, Rhody's three turnovers forced them to play from behind the entire game as they did not hold a lead at any point.
"We didn't respond when we did have adversity," Trainer said.
Freshman running back Ayo Isijola answered the call for Rhody with a 48-yard touchdown run, putting seven on the board. The touchdown was the first of his career as he rushed for a career high 100 yards on 15 carries.
"We think he's going to be a very special player," Trainer said. "He has tremendous speed and great feet. He continues to get better every single week."
On their next possession Stefkovich hit senior wide receiver Shawn Leonard for a 35-yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 20-14. Stefkovich threw for a career high three touchdowns completing 11 of his 20 passes for 163 yards.
"I thought he did an adequate job," Trainer said.
"He moved the ball and made some good throws. I thought he managed the game enough for us to win. The guys around him didn't make enough plays."
Towson extended their lead late in the first half on another Dameron touchdown run. They failed to convert the two-point conversion and led 26-14. Stefkovich connected with Leonard once again to make it a six-point lead with a minute and a half on the clock in the second quarter. Towson was able to add a field goal with 17 seconds left taking a 29-21 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the high-scoring pace slowed as each team only scored once. Stefkovich brought the Rams within one early in the third when he hit sophomore tight end Joe Migliarese for a six-yard touchdown pass. The score remained 29-28 heading into the fourth.
Late in the quarter Towson freshman quarterback Peter Athens scored on a 35-yard run boosting the lead to 36-28 with 6:50 remaining on the clock. Rhody was unable to put a drive together on their last two possessions and Towson earned the victory for the third year in a row.
Saturday the Rams will host Hofstra University for Homecoming. Kickoff time is set for noon.
Towson put the pressure on early, scoring 20 points on its first three possessions in the opening eight minutes of the game. Redshirt freshman running back Tremayne Dameron scored twice on those possessions. Rhode Island senior quarterback D.J. Stefkovich fumbled the ball twice in their first three possessions, giving the Tigers the opportunity to open up the big lead.
"Obviously it was disappointing," Head Coach Joe Trainer said.
"We set a goal to win all our home games, and we came up short on that end. We got down 20-0 real early and played behind the rest of the way. We're not where we need to be right now."
The Rams out-gained their opponent for the second straight week, compiling 329 yards to Towson's 323 yards. However, Rhody's three turnovers forced them to play from behind the entire game as they did not hold a lead at any point.
"We didn't respond when we did have adversity," Trainer said.
Freshman running back Ayo Isijola answered the call for Rhody with a 48-yard touchdown run, putting seven on the board. The touchdown was the first of his career as he rushed for a career high 100 yards on 15 carries.
"We think he's going to be a very special player," Trainer said. "He has tremendous speed and great feet. He continues to get better every single week."
On their next possession Stefkovich hit senior wide receiver Shawn Leonard for a 35-yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 20-14. Stefkovich threw for a career high three touchdowns completing 11 of his 20 passes for 163 yards.
"I thought he did an adequate job," Trainer said.
"He moved the ball and made some good throws. I thought he managed the game enough for us to win. The guys around him didn't make enough plays."
Towson extended their lead late in the first half on another Dameron touchdown run. They failed to convert the two-point conversion and led 26-14. Stefkovich connected with Leonard once again to make it a six-point lead with a minute and a half on the clock in the second quarter. Towson was able to add a field goal with 17 seconds left taking a 29-21 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the high-scoring pace slowed as each team only scored once. Stefkovich brought the Rams within one early in the third when he hit sophomore tight end Joe Migliarese for a six-yard touchdown pass. The score remained 29-28 heading into the fourth.
Late in the quarter Towson freshman quarterback Peter Athens scored on a 35-yard run boosting the lead to 36-28 with 6:50 remaining on the clock. Rhody was unable to put a drive together on their last two possessions and Towson earned the victory for the third year in a row.
Saturday the Rams will host Hofstra University for Homecoming. Kickoff time is set for noon.
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