KINGSTON, R.I. - Last Saturday, Rhode Island traveled to West Long Branch, N.J. to face off against the Monmouth Hawks in what would be the longest matchup between two FCS schools in college football history. After a high-scoring four quarters of regulation play and seven grueling overtime periods, the Rams emerged victorious, defeating the Hawks,, 48-46, while also moving to 5-2 on the season. 
 
FIRST DOWN - DeShields Puts The Conference On Notice
Senior running back Marques DeShields had the game of his life Saturday afternoon, serving as the driving force behind Rhode Island's offense all game long. This was his third straight game with more than 100 rushing yards, finishing with 161 yards and two touchdowns. When he wasn't marauding downfield with the ball cradled in his grasp, he was getting on the end of pinpoint passes from quarterback Kasim Hill. DeShields finished the day with 95 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, both career highs, including a 73-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime. Finishing with 256 total yards of offense, DeShields' performance earned him this week's CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week, as well as URI's Male Student-Athlete of the Week. After seven games so far this year, the senior has 779 total yards of offense and 10 touchdowns. 
 
SECOND DOWN - Kasim Hill Puts On A Show
Quarterback Kasim Hill had a solid game against Monmouth, finishing the day 14-24, with 352 passing yards and three touchdown passes, while rushing for a fourth. The senior completed three passes of more than 50 yards, including a 74-yard pass to wideout Ed Lee, and a 73-yard touchdown pass to Marques DeShields. Hill's performance against Monmouth set his season highs in passing touchdowns and passing yards and was his first 300-passing-yard game of the year. Through seven games, Hill now has 1,889 yards of total offense, passing for 12 touchdowns and rushing for three more. 
 
THIRD DOWN - Ed Lee Calls Game
Senior wide receiver Ed Lee had a very prolific performance vs the Hawks, registering a touchdown and a two-point conversion pass that provided the margin of victory in the seventh overtime. Lee was targeted five times, making four receptions for 120 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to tie the game in the second quarter. After six overtime periods, Monmouth failed on its two-point attempt, giving Rhode Island the opportunity to seal it with a successful conversion. Up stepped Lee, as Kasim Hill found the receiver open in the end zone for the score. After seven games, Lee has 484 receiving yards, 120 yards from punt returns, and three touchdowns. 
 
FOURTH DOWN - College Football History
Rhode Island's victory over Monmouth not only was the longest game in CAA Football history, but it was the longest matchup ever played between two FCS programs. In their third matchup ever, the teams combined for 11 touchdowns, two field goals, and five two-point conversions. 
 
With this win, the Rhode Island Rams moved to 5-2 overll and 3-1 in CAA Football on the season, having won three straight games. The next test comes in the form of an away trip to William & Mary on Saturday, Oct. 29, as the Rams strive ever so closer to the FCS College Football Playoffs. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. and will be streaming live at flofootball.com.

Mark Radigan is a sophomore in URI's Harrington School of Communication and Media. Each Tuesday throughout the season, he will provide his Four Down Territory look at the Rhode Island football team.