Sept. 13, 2008
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Darren Rizzi postgame interview |
Derek Cassidy/Joe Bellini/Jimmy Hughes postgame interview
KINGSTON, R.I. -The Rhode Island Football team (1-2 overall; 0-1 CAA) suffered its first home loss of the season losing 51-43 to No. 10/10 New Hampshire.
Despite the loss, the Rams racked up a season-high 517 yards of total offense and threw for 480 yards. URI's 480 yards through the air is the fourth highest single game total in school history. Both Rhode Island and New Hampshire (509) combined for 1,026 yards of total offense.
"I was so pleased with the way our team played today," Rhode head coach Darren Rizzi said. "I have been saying all week that New Hampshire is a great football team, but I think our guys really stepped up to the challenge today."
Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy (Winter Haven, Fla.) completed 34-of-61 of his passes for a career-high 436 yards. Cassidy also accounted for four touchdowns, throwing for three and running for one.
"I have been so impressed by the way Derek Cassidy has run this offense," Rizzi said. "He is such a competitor and I wish we could keep him for another year."
Cassidy's 436-yard passing performance is the seventh highest single game total in school history.
"I'm disappointed about the loss today, but I think our guys did a great job out there against one of the best teams in the conference," Cassidy said. "Even when we were down 17-0 in the second quarter, I never thought we were completely out of the game."
New Hampshire held a 31-10 lead with 14:42 to go in the third quarter, but the Rams responded with a touchdown on their next offensive play as Cassidy hit senior running back Jimmy Hughes (Westport, Conn.) for an 83-yard touchdown pass.
The 83-yard touchdown pass was Cassidy's longest his career, while Hughes' touchdown reception was also the longest of his career.
New Hampshire would then add a field goal to increase its advantage to 34-17 with 10:57 to play, but just eight minutes later the Rams closed the Wildcats' advantage to just four points at 34-30.
Cassidy scored on an eight-yard run to cut the lead to 34-24. URI would then find the endzone two and a half minutes later after Cassidy hit sophomore running back Anthony Ferrer (West Greenwich, R.I.) for his second touchdown. Ferrer scored his first touchdown of the day in the second quarter on a one-yard run.
The drive was set up after junior defensive back Rodney Mitchell (Virginia Beach, Va.) recovered a fumble, which put the Rams in scoring position.
URI would not get any closer though as UNH put up 14 unanswered points and took a 48-30 advantage with 13:26 to go in the fourth quarter.
The Rams scored another touchdown with 4:49 remaining in the fourth quarter and would later add a field goal, but it wasn't enough as URI dropped its second-straight game.
"I am happy with where our program is at right now," Rizzi said. "Our guys are really starting to buy into what we are telling them and it has showed on the field."
Rhode Island returns to action Sept. 20 on the road against Hofstra. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. Steve McDonald and Terry Lynch will provide the radio call live on the Rams Radio Network - WHJJ 920 AM and WJZS 99.3 FM.
