Sept. 15, 2011

KINGSTON, R.I. -- On Saturday, Rhode Island travels to face Massachusetts in the CAA Football opener for both teams.

Kickoff at McGuirk Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet New England. Mike Gorman, URI football alum Andy Gresh, and Greg Dickerson will serve as the broadcast team.

Television Clearances:
Rhode Island and all of New England - Comcast SportsNet New England (Mike Gorman, Andy Gresh, Greg Dickerson)

Radio:
WHJJ 920 AM (Steve McDonald, Terry Lynch) - pre-game shoe set to begin at 4:15 p.m.

Internet Audio
920WHJJ.com

RHODE ISLAND VS. MASSACHUSETTS - ALL-TIME SERIES
Rhode Island and Massachusetts have met 85 times with the Minutemen holding a 47-36-2 series advantage. Last season, Steve Probst found Brandon Johnson-Farrell in the end zone with just 1:10 remaining to seal with 37-34 victory. UMass is Rhode Island's fourth most common opponent in program history.

TRAINER ANNOUNCES 2011 TEAM CAPTAINS
Prior to the Sept. 10 season opener at Syracuse, head coach Joe Trainer announced his six team captains - offensive linemen Kyle Bogumil and Jason Foster, defensive back Darrell Dulany, quarterback Steve Probst, and defensive tackles Matt Rae and Willie McGinnis. "These six senior captains represent the best leadership we have had since I have been here and I am confident this group will effectively lead this team in 2011," Trainer said. "I couldn't be happier with our entire senior class and what they bring to this team."

JOHNSON SHINES IN RHODY DEBUT
Junior linebacker Doug Johnson had an outstanding game versus Syracuse - his first action in a Rhody uniform. The 6-0, 225 lb. linebacker made seven tackles (five solo), including three for a loss (15 yards) and two sacks (13 yards).

ROAD ISLAND
For the first time since 1982, URI is starting the season with back-to-back road games. That season, the Rams played their first three contests away from Meade Stadium.

1981 TEAM TO BE HONORED AT SEPT. 24 HOME OPENER VS. FORDHAM
On Sept. 24, in conjunction with the home opener vs. Fordham at Meade Stadium, URI Athletics will honor the 1981 Rhody football team. That season, the Rams were Yankee Conference champions and advanced to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs against Idaho State under head coach Bob Griffin.

DULANY DOING IT ON D
Senior safety Darrell Dulany made a single-game career high nine tackles at Syracuse. His previous high was seven, set last year at Towson (Oct. 30).

HAVE YOU HURD?
Travis Hurd - a 2010 All-CAA Football First Teamer as a returner - scored his first rushing touchdown at Syracuse to open the season. Hurd had previously recorded a TD last year on a 75-yard kickoff return at Delaware (Oct. 16).

BIG WILLIE STYLE
Senior Willie McGinnis registered two tackles for a loss at Syracuse. He ranked second on the Rams in TFL last year, with 10.5 and now has 22.5 for his career.

PROBST BLUE RIBBON
Following a year where he set single season career highs in virtuallly every passing category, quarterback Steve Probst enters his senior season as the clear cut starter. In 2010, the Long Island native went on to take every snap for the Rams in 2010. He finished the year as the ONLY QB in the CAA to register at least 1,800 yards (1,876)passing and 600 yard rushing.

PROBST AND HURD SELECTED TO 2011 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
Senior quarterback Steve Probst and sophomore kick returner Travis Hurd were each selected to the 2011 CAA Football Preseason All-League Team. The selections were voted on by the league's 11 head coaches and media relations personnel.

RAMS WELL REPRESENTED ON THE PHIL STEELE ALL-CAA PRESEASON SQUAD
Five Rhode Island football players were selected to the Phil Steele Preseason All-CAA Team as part of its 2011 FCS Preview. Senior offensive lineman Jason Foster and sophomore kick returner Travis Hurd were named First Team. Earning Second Team honors for Rhody were seniors Kyle Bogumil (offensive lineman), Willie McGinnis (defensive lineman), and Matt Rae (defensive lineman).

RAMS WELCOME BACK 18 STARTERS
Following a five win season in 2010 - most wins since 2001 - the Rams welcome back 18 starters in the form of 11 on offense, five on defense and two from the special teams' unit.

FUMBLE!
The Rhode Island defense gained 13 fumbles in 2010, which ranked second in the CAA. Since Joe Trainer took over as head coach in 2009, the Rams have recovered a league-best 28 fumbles.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MADE
In 2009, opponents averaged nearly 40 points a game against Rhode Island (36.9). Last season, Rhody limited its opponents to just 24.4 points per game.

GETTING IT DONE IN THE CLASSROOM
This past year 13 players were selected to the CAA Football All-Academic team. In two years, the Rams have placed 23 players on the team - a number that ranks third in CAA Football during that period.

RHODY SPECIAL TEAMS
Last season, the URI special teams unit was instrumental in the Rams' five-win season. Under the direction of special teams coach Eddie Allen, URI ranked in the CAA's top five in four special teams categories. The Rams also held the league's top kickoff return average (23.8). It was Allen's special team unit that played a major role in the Rams' 17-14 victory over Villanova as it blocked a punt and returned it for the game-winning score over the 2009 National Champions.

RHODY HAS UMASS FOOTBALL TIES
Thorr Bjorn, the AD at Rhode Island and Liam Coen, the Rams' quarterbacks coach each were former UMass football stars. Bjorn was a three-year letterwinner from 1987-89 on the defensive line for the Minutemen. Coen finished his career in 2008 as one of the top quarterbacks in the history of FCS football.

NEXT UP: FORDHAM (SEPT. 24)
Rhode Island opens up its home slate next week when it hosts Fordham in a non-league game. Kickoff time at Meade Stadium is set for 1 p.m.