Nov. 11, 2000

Box Score

By DONNA TOMMELLEO
Associated Press Writer

STORRS, Conn. -- Vince Nedimyer threw a touchdown pass and rushed for 81 yards as Rhode Island held off Connecticut 26-21 on Saturday.

The victory was the first against a Division I-A opponent for the Rams (3-7) in 27 years. URI, which nearly abandoned football last year, hasn't had a winning season since 1995.

The Huskies (3-7), playing their first season in Division I-A, lead the series against their former Atlantic-10 rival 48-34-8.

Nedimyer led the Rams on a 62-yard scoring drive on their first possession. He capped off the eight-play drive with a 26-yard TD pass to Nchendia Tajong. Shane Laisle kicked field goals of 19 and 30 yards in the second quarter to give URI a 13-0 lead at halftime.

Penalties and turnovers plagued UConn for much of the game. The Huskies cut the lead to 13-7 on their opening drive in the second half on a 10-yard scoring run by Taber Small. The Rams took advantage to two UConn penalties on the ensuing kickoff and a 35-yard return to start their next series at the UConn 30. Three plays later, David Jamison scored from 2 yards out. Nedimyer set up the score with a 19-yard scramble from the 21 to extend the lead to 19-7.

UConn got within five on John Fitzsimmon's 4-yard reception from Chris Willis, a third-string quarterback. Starter Ryan Tracey was lost two weeks ago with a knee injury and reserve Luke Richmond went down last week with an injury to his throwing hand. Willis was intercepted twice, including a third-and-goal toss that was picked off by Preston Letts at the UConn 13.

Tajong capped the Rams' scoring with a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter. UConn's Terrance Smith returned a blocked punt 6 yards for a score with 3:50 left in the game.

Nedimyer completed 3 of 6 passes for 72 yards. His longest, a 29-yarder to Salim Wellington, came on a fourth-and-7 play and set up Tajong's second TD.

Jamison rushed for 118 yards for URI. UConn's Small ran for 107 yards. Willis finished 20-28-2 for 168 yards and one TD. Fitzsimmons set a UConn record for consecutive games with a catch at 36.