Sept. 20, 2008

Hofstra Photo Gallery

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The Rhode Island Football team football dropped a 23-20 decision in the closing seconds on the road against Hofstra.

Hofstra freshman kicker Roger Williams connected on a 38-yard field with three seconds remaining after URI tied the game at 20 apiece with 47 seconds to go in the game.

"This was another tough loss," Rhode Island head coach Darren Rizzi said. "This is the second week in a row where we were in it until the end and just came up a little short."

Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy led the way offensively as posted his fourth straight game with 200-or-more yards passing as he went 18-of-32 for 248 yards with a touchdown.

"Our guys played their hearts out and I was proud of the way they hung around until the end," Rizzi said. "We have a lot freshman and sophomores out there right now, so there is a little bit of a learning curve, but we are getting better with each game."

Rhode Island scored on its first drive of the game. The Rams took just five plays to go 73 yards. Senior Jimmy Hughes capped off the drive with a 37-yard touchdown run. Hughes' rushing touchdown was his first of the season. Cassidy completed a pair of passes for 36 yards on the drive.

After being held scoreless in the first quarter, Hofstra got on the board in the second quarter following a 21-yard field goal by freshman kicker Brian Hanly. Hanly's field goal finished a HU drive which lasted over six minutes and took 13 plays.

Less than two minutes later, Hofstra took a 9-7 lead. The Pride recovered Hughes' fumble and three plays later, sophomore Everette Benjamin scored on a six-yard touchdown run.

Hofstra threaten to score once again before the half, but Rhode Island blocked Hanly's 24-yard field goal attempt.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Rams took over at the 50-yard line to start the fourth quarter and just three plays later, URI found its way into the endzone to take a 14-9 lead. Cassidy hit sophomore running back Anthony Ferrer for a two-yard touchdown pass. The score was setup by Cassidy's 36-yard pass to Leonard on the drive's first play.

Hofstra regained the lead on its next offensive possession as it drove 72 yards on 11 plays to take a 17-14 lead. Pride sophomore quarterback Cory Christopher rushed in from one yard out and then hit fellow sophomore Adam Weaver in the endzone for the two-point conversion pass.

The Pride would then add on another field goal to take a 20-14 lead with just over three minutes to go in the game.

Rhode Island responded with a touchdown on a nine-play 54 yard scoring drive, but the Rams did not convert the extra point, which kept the game tied at 20.

Hofstra would then drive down the field and connect for the game-winning field goal.

"At times we have really looked great on both sides of the ball and at times we have really struggled," Rizzi said. "We just need to get a little more consistency from both sides of the ball."

Rhode Island returns to action on Sept. 27 against Boston College. The game can be seen live on the internet at ESPN360. Steve McDonald and Terry Lynch will provide the radio call live on the Rams Radio Network - WHJJ 920 AM and WJZS 99.3 FM.