Aug. 30, 2008

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Darren Rizzi coaching era began with a 27-24 Rhode Island victory over Monmouth as the Rams opened their 2008 season at home.

Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy led the way offensively as he went 18-of-31 with a career-high 257 yards passing. Cassidy also accounted for three touchdowns two of which came through the air with another coming on the ground.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen recorded a career-tying 10 tackles. Hansen has now recorded three 10 tackle games in his career. The URI linebacker also collected an interception, which led to the Rams first score of the game.

The Rams got on the board first thanks to a 26-yard touchdown pass from Cassidy to junior wide receiver Tolbert Evans. Monmouth would then answer with a field goal following a seven play, 47-yard drive that spanned 2:47.

Rhode Island would then score 10 unanswered points to take a 17-3 halftime lead. Cassidy scored on a three-yard quarterback keeper and kicker Louis Feinstein booted a 47-yard field goal.

The Rhody defensive unit held Monmouth to just 42 yards rushing, while on the offensive side of the ball URI outgained MU 162-138 in the first half.

Monmouth opened the second half with a 35-yard kickoff return, which put the Hawks inside Rhode Island territory three plays later Monmouth's David Sinisi found the endzone to make the score 17-9. Following the point after try, MU closed the deficit to seven points.

Rhody responded on the next offensive series by going 47 yards in six plays, which led to a field goal and increased URI's advantage to 20-10. The drive was highlighted by Cassidy's 36-yard pass to Jimmy Hughes.

The Hawks found the endzone on the next offensive series as they engineered a seven play, 47-yard drive to cut the Rams advantage to 20-17.

Following Monmouth's scoring drive, Cassidy guided the Rams back down the field for a six play, 72 yard drive to their lead back to 10 points (27-17).

Monmouth scored again with just a 1:19 remaining. The Hawks attempted an onside kick, but were flagged for illegal touching, which gave Rhode Island possession. The Rams would then run out the clock to secure their first win of the season.

Rhode Island returns to action at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6 on the road against Fordham.

Game Notes
-Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy threw for a career-high 257 yards on 18-of-31 passing. Cassidy's previous career high came against James Madison (10/13/07) when he threw for 184 yards.

-Cassidy becomes the first URI quarterback to throw for over 250 yards since Jayson Davis (8/25/08 vs. Hofstra).

-Sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen had a career-tying 10 tackles. Hansen has recorded 10 tackles on three separate occasions (vs. Brown 9/29/07; vs. UMass 11/3/07; vs. Monmouth 8/30/08).

-Rhode Island improves to 48-54-7 all-time in season openers.

-The Rams are 65-39-5 all-time in home openers.

-URI has won seven of its last eight home openers.

-Rhode Island's meeting with Monmouth was the Rams' first-ever meeting against the Hawks.

-Today's attendance was 3,220.