Oct. 2, 2010

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KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island junior quarterback Steve Probst rushed into the endzone to lift the Rams past Brown, 27-24, in the 29th annual Governor's Cup game. A total of 7,622 fans were on hand for the game - the best Meade Stadium crowd in 10 years.

Probst's game-winning touchdown was his third of the day. The URI signal-caller finished the game by going 22-of-38 for 187 yards through the air, connecting with six different receivers. He also rushed for 59 yards on the ground.

Sophomore running back Ayo Isijola led the Rams ground attack as he rushed for 97 yards on just 16 carries (6.1 average). Fellow sophomore Brandon Johnson-Farrell led all Rhody receivers with nine catches for 104 yards both of which were career highs for the Maryland native.

Defensively for the Rams, seniors Dan O'Connell and Joe Harris each recorded nine tackles apiece.

The Rams Governor's Cup victory is their first since 2008. Since the two teams began playing for the Governor's Cup Trophy in 1981, URI has posted a 16-13 record against its in-state rival.

Rhody opened the scoring in the first quarter thanks to a blocked punt by cornerback Jarrod Williams. Williams then fell on the ball in the endzone to give the Rams a 7-0 lead. The Pennslyvania native finished the game with four tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception.

Brown came right back with a score of its own as Kyle Newhall-Caballero hit Alexa Tounkara on a slant pattern, the senior wide then escaped a tackle and darted to endzone for a 61-yard pitch and catch.

The Rams reclaimed the lead on their next offensive possession as Probst rushed in from five yards out to give URI a 14-7 lead. Probst's five-yard rush capped a 10-play, 70 yard drive, which spanned 3:43.

Both teams were held scoreless in the second quarter and Rhody took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.

In the third quarter, Brown tied the game at 14 apiece thanks to Newhall-Caballe's second touchdown pass of the afternoon, which capped a 69-yard drive, which took only four plays.

Rhody responded with a touchdown to reclaim the lead 21-14. Probst found the endzone again as he pushed the pile from a yard out.

The Bears would not go away as they tied the game on their next offensive possession to make the score 21 apiece with 11:59 to go in the game. Newhall-Caballe found Jimmy Saros over the middle for a 19-yard touchdown.

No team would score for the remainder of the game, forcing overtime. URI had a chance to win the game in regulation, but kicker Louis Feinstein missed a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Feinstein's 42-yard miss came after his first attempt, which he made, but Brown called timeout just before the ball was snapped.

Rhody returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 9 as it travels to William and Mary. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.