Oct. 17, 2009

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BY MATT SWISS
GoRhody.com - Staff Writer

KINGSTON, R.I. -Rhode Island's homecoming celebration was cut short by Hofstra University, after the Pride defeated the Rams, 28-16, Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium. The loss dropped Rhody to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the CAA.

"For the most part, our kids are working hard and there has been no quit," said head coach Joe Trainer. "The team's attitude has been good and the work ethic has been good."

Junior quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne returned to the lineup after missing the last two games and led the Rams attack offensively, with 203 all-purpose yards and one rushing touchdown.

"I wasn't worried about my knee or elbow," Paul-Etienne said. "I felt fine out there, I just had to get back into the flow of the game."

Time of possession was the story of the first half as the Pride held possession for 19:43 minutes, compared to just 10:17 for Rhode Island.

Hofstra returned the opening kickoff deep into the Rhody territory, but the return was called back 49 yards to its own 15 after a holding penalty.

Nearly eight minutes and 68 yards later, the Pride missed a 34-yard field goal attempt, which led to Rhody's first possession - which ended in a three-and-out.

Hofstra opened the scoring on its second offensive possession in the first quarter as it drove 67 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead. Pride running back Everette Benjamin capped the drive as he rushed in from one-yard out.

Rhode Island held the ball for less than three minutes in the first quarter.

Rhody got on the board in the second quarter thanks to a 31-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Louis Feinstein.

Junior running back Anthony Ferrer helped set up the field goal as he picked up four yards on fourth down, which gave Rhode Island a first down. Paul-Etienne then connected with sophomore wide receiver Ty Bynum for a 38-yard gain, leading to Rhody's first and only score of the first half. Bynum finished the game with 75 yards receiving.

The game slipped away from Rhode Island in the second half, as two Hofstra touchdowns put the Rams at a 21-3 deficit, heading into the fourth quarter.

Rhody's first score in the second half came on a two-yard rushing touchdown from Ferrer, which cut Hofstra's lead to 21-9 with under four minutes to go in the game.

Paul-Etienne brought the Rams within 12, with a 10-yard rushing touchdown with 19 seconds remaining, making the score 28-16.

"The thing about Chris (Paul-Etienne) is this is really his third start," Trainer said. "As talented as he is, he's continuing to grow. He did some good things in the second half, we just need to do a better job of protecting him. He's going to continue to blossom and he's going to be a great player here."

Anthony Nelson, Hofstra quarterback Cory Christopher's number one weapon against Rhode Island, finished the game with 117 yards and one touchdown. Christopher led the Pride's offensive attack with 111 yards on 11-of-15 passing.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebacker Matt Hansen led the way with 12 tackles, 10 of which were unassisted. Junior linebacker Rob Damon also added 12 tackles while junior safety Jarrod Williams had seven.

Rhode Island will look to get back on track when it travels to Villanova on Oct. 24. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.