Oct. 3, 2009

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (1-3; 0-1 CAA Football) fell on the road 28-20 to in-state rival Brown Saturday afternoon at Brown Stadium. Rhody's loss to Brown is its first since 2005.

Since 1981 - the first season in which the two teams played for the Governor's Cup Trophy - URI holds a 15-13 record against the Bears.

Heavy rain covered the field for most of the first half, but that did not stop Rhody senior quarterback D.J. Stefkovich from posting a career-high 214 yards through the air. The Connecticut native completed 17-of-30 of his passes and tossed one touchdown.

Stefkovich came off the bench in the first quarter in place of junior starter Chris Paul-Etienne, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury.

Junior running back Anthony Ferrer led the Rams' ground attack as he rushed for a game-high 76 yards. Ferrer also had a career-long 68-yard touchdown run, which put the Rams on the board first in the opening quarter.

Rhody outgained the Bears 416-295 and picked off Brown quarterback Kyle Newhall three times. URI's 400-plus total yards marked the second time this season the Rams had gained 400-or-more yards in a single game.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebackers Matt Hansen and Rob Damon combined for 17 tackles (9 - Hansen; 8 - Damon). Damon also had his first career interception in the second quarter. The New Jersey then raced 75 yards the other way for a touchdown to give the Rams a 14-6 lead.

Brown responded with a touchdown of its own on the next offensive series to cut the Rhody lead to 14-12. Following the two-point conversion, the game was tied and would remain that way as the two teams went into the locker room.

In the third quarter, the Bears outscored Rhody 14-0 to take a 28-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

Brown appeared to have the game in control with less than five minutes remaining, but URI would not go quietly as Stefkovich hit sophomore running back Ryan Lawrence out of the backfield for a 55-yard touchdown pass, which cut the Bears' lead to 28-20.

Lawrence's 55-yard touchdown was his first career score as a Ram.

The Rams had one last chance to score as it took over possession from their own five-yard line with 48 seconds remaining, but Brown was able to keep URI out of the endzone to secure the win.

The Rams return to action on Oct. 10 against Towson. Next Saturday's home contest also will serve as Military Appreciation/Youth Day at Meade Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. The game can be heard live on the Rams Radio Network WHJJ 920 AM.