Nov. 15, 2008

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (2-9 overall; 0-7 CAA Football) fell 37-7 to nationally-ranked Maine on a wet and muddy day at Meade Stadium.

Senior running back Jimmy Hughes (Westport, Conn.) led the way offensively for the Rams as he rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries (4.5 yards per carry). The Connecticut native also scored the Rams' only touchdown on the afternoon.

Hughes was one of 16 seniors honored in a ceremony before Saturday's game.

Defensively for the URI, sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen (Providence, R.I.) led the way for the Rams as he tallied career-high 15 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

This season, Hansen has registered 10-or-more tackles in six games. In addition, the Rhode Island native has registered 10-or-more tackles eight times in his career (vs. Brown 9/29/07; vs. UMass 11/3/07; vs. Monmouth 8/30/08; vs. New Hampshire 9/13/08; vs. Hofstra 9/20/08; vs. Towson 10/11/08; vs. Villanova 10/18/08; vs. Maine 11/15/08).

Hansen leads the team with 105 tackles, this season.

Fellow URI linebacker Jeff Ball (Lansdale, Pa.) also recorded double-digit tackles on the day as he finished with 11.

Both teams were unable to score in the first quarter, but URI would break the scoreless tie in the second quarter as it engineered a 10-play, 80-yard drive, which spanned 4:39. Hughes capped the drive with a 16-yard rush.

Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy (Winter Haven, Fla.) was 4-for-5 for 46 yards on the drive. Cassidy finished the day 18-of-31 for 128 yards.

Maine responded with a drive of its own as it went 66 yards in five plays to even the score at seven points apiece.

The Black Bears would then take a 9-7 lead as the defense tackled Cassidy in the end zone for a safety.

Following the Rams' kickoff from their own 20-yard line, Maine would find itself back in the end zone just seven plays later as quarterback Michael Brusko hit wide receiver Tyrell Jones for a 12 yard touchdown pass.

In the second half, Maine shutout Rhode Island 21-0 to secure the win. Redshirt freshman Jared Turcotte scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Black Bears.

URI returns to action on Nov. 22, as it travels Northeastern for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff to close out the 2008 season.