Rams Welcome Towson on Youth and Military Day

Oct. 7, 2009

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KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (1-3; 0-1 CAA) looks to get back on the winning track as it returns home Saturday afternoon to take on Towson (1-3; 0-1 CAA). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

Rhody will look to rebound from its 28-20 loss last weekend at Brown. Despite the loss, the Rams finished with over 400 yards of total offense, finishing with 416.

Against Brown, senior quarterback D.J. Stefkovich came off the bench for injured Rams' starter Chris Paul-Etienne. Stefkovich threw for a career-high 214 yards through the air. He also threw his first career touchdown pass as he hit sophomore Ryan Lawrence, who scored from 55 yards out.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebackers Rob Damon and Matt Hansen have combined for 97 tackles this season for the Rams (54 - Damon; 43 - Hansen). Damon (13.5) and Hansen (10.8) rank first and third in the CAA in tackles per game. Additionally, Damon's tackles per game total ranks second in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

Rhode Island has made a habit of forcing fumbles. Through four games, URI has forced 18 fumbles and has recovered nine of those miscues. In 2009, Rhody forced seven against Connecticut (Sept. 26), six versus Fordham (Sept. 5), four against Massachusetts (Sept. 19), and one at Brown (Oct. 3).

The Tigers enter Saturday's contest with the hopes of ending a two-game skid after losses at Morgan State (12-9) and at home against New Hampshire (57-7). Freshman quarterback Peter Athens leads the Towson offense.

In four games, the first-year signal caller has thrown for 487 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Tremayne Dameron leads the Tiger ground game, averaging 75.2 yards per game, which ranks fifth in the CAA.

Rhode Island and Towson have met nine times with the Rams holding a 5-4 series advantage. The two teams last met a year ago in Towson, Md., where the Tigers defeated Rhode Island 37-32. URI's last win over Towson was a 28-16 victory at Meade Stadium on Oct. 9, 2004.

As always, Steve McDonald and Terry Lynch will handle the play-by-play on the Rams Radio Network (WHJJ 920 AM).