Sept. 8, 2007

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WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) -Carson Williams threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Justin Larson on the first play of overtime and the Army defense held Rhode Island out of the end zone to give the Black Knights a 14-7 victory on Saturday.

Williams came in the second quarter for David Pevoto, who appeared to injure his left ankle. Pevoto did not return. Pevoto, who began last season as the starter before losing the job to Williams for the final four games, regained the starter's role during training camp.

Williams was 12-for-20 for 123 yards. Pevoto went 9-for-13 for 82 yards and an interception.

Joe Casey ran 27 carries for 107 yards for Rhode Island.

Rhode Island led 7-0 on Tim Allen's 5-yard run with 1:37 remaining in the first half. The Rams were attempting to topple Army, a Bowl Subdivision team, and earn its first win over a I-A opponent under coach Tim Sowers, who took over in 2000.

Army tied it on their first possession of the second half on Mike Viti's 2-yard run that capped a 52-yard drive highlighted by Williams' 30-yard pass to Larson.

The win gave new Army coach Stan Brock his first victory.

It wasn't easy.

Tied 7-7 with Army driving with less than 30 seconds remaining, the Rams' Kirk Blackmon sacked Williams from behind and the ball popped loose as the quarterback went down. Carl Daniel dove on the bounding ball, giving the Rams possession at the Army 47.

But Rhode Island ran only two plays, with John Wright sacking Rams quarterback Derek Cassidy with less than 14 seconds remaining, sending the game into overtime.

It was the second consecutive season Army won an overtime game in its home opener. The Black Knights won two overtime games last season.

Cassidy went 11-for-13 for 145 yards for Rhode Island.