Rhody Football Opens 2009 Season Saturday At Meade Stadium

Sept. 2, 2009

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KINGSTON, R.I. - After weeks of preparation, the Rhode Island football team takes the field Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. against Fordham to kickoff its 110th season.

Rhody's matchup against Fordham will mark the ninth time the two teams have met. In the eight previous meetings, Fordham holds a 5-3 advantage over URI. URI's last win against Fordham came back on Sept. 3, 2005 as it claimed a 34-20 victory.

Saturday afternoon also marks the Rams first game under the direction of Joe Trainer, who was hired as the school's 19th head coach back on Feb. 27.

"Our kids have known what I expect out of them since day one," Trainer said on the CAA Football weekly teleconference. "We have had a great preseason and I think we are ready to take the next step."

In 2008, Trainer served as URI's Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. Under his direction, the Rams defensive unit recovered 11 fumbles, which ranked in the top five of CAA Football.

This season, Rhody returns 19 starters from last year's squad, including all-conference honorees Matt Hansen and Brandon Johnson-Farrell.

Over the offseason, Hansen moved to middle linebacker after spending the entire 2008 campaign at outside linebacker.

"Having Matt (Hansen) in the middle this season should give us a strong presence at linebacker and give him an opportunity to make more plays," Trainer said. "I am expecting him to a tremendous season in 2009.

The Rams also welcome Chris Paul-Etienne, Tom Lang and Robenson Alexis all of whom transferred to URI from Rutgers University.

Paul-Etienne will open the season as the Rams' starting quarterback. During the spring game this past April, the Florida native combined for 252 yards of total offense (162 passing and 90 rushing) during the 2009 Blue and White Game.

Steve McDonald and Terry Lynch will handle the play-by-play on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM). Fans can also tune into a live audio stream on the Internet, via Yahoo! Sports. A live video stream will also be available on Rhody All-Access, via GoRhody.com.