Rhode Island Travels to Villanova on Saturday

Oct. 21, 2009

Villanova Game Notes | Listen Live | Watch Live

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (1-5; 0-3 CAA) heads to Villanova, Pa. on Saturday for its CAA matchup against Villanova (6-1; 3-1 CAA). Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Villanova Stadium.

Rhody enters its matchup with Villanova in search of its first conference victory of the season. Last week, the Rams dropped their third straight league contest as they fell 28-16 to Hofstra on Homecoming.

Despite last week's loss, the Rams saw the return of several key starters, including quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne. Paul-Etienne returned to the lineup - after missing the last two weeks with a knee injury - to throw for a career-high 207 yards. He also ran for a touchdown.

Six of Paul-Etienne's passes went to sophomore wide receiver Ty Bynum. Bynum's six catches were a career-high. He also finished the day with a team-high 75 yards receiving.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebackers Matt Hansen and Rob Damon tallied 12 tackles apiece. Hansen's 12-tackle performance marked the 10th time in his career in which he has recorded 10-or-more stops.

This season Damon and Hansen have combined for 132 tackles for the Rams (72 - Damon; 60 - Hansen). Damon (12.0) and Hansen (10.0) rank first and tied for second in the CAA in tackles per game. Additionally, Damon's per game total ranks fifth in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

Saturday's game at Villanova will serve as the Wildcats' homecoming game. It also will serve as a homecoming of sorts for head coach Joe Trainer. Trainer was an assistant coach at Villanova for eight years, serving as the defensive coordinator from 2000-2004 and the linebackers coach from 1997-1999.

During his tenure at Villanova, Trainer helped the Wildcats to two conference championships, two NCAA Playoff appearances and two wins over FBS schools (Rutgers and Temple).

The Wildcats (6-1; 3-1 CAA) enter Saturday's contest in the hopes of remaining close behind CAA South Division leader Richmond (6-0; 4-0 CAA). Villanova currently sits in second place behind the Spiders.

The Wildcats feature the CAA's top rushing offense (204.6) and scoring defense (13.7). Villanova's lone loss the season came by four points (28-24) at New Hampshire (Oct. 10).

Junior Matt Szczur leads the team and the CAA with 1,018 all-purpose yards (311 - rushing, 234 - receiving, 473 - return) averaging 145.4 per game. Villanova has three players, which have rushed for 300 yards or more this season. Junior quarterback Chris Whitney leads the way with 437 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Wildcats have forced opponents into 16 turnovers. As a team, the Wildcats hold a plus 11 turnover margin. Junior linebacker Terence Thomas leads the way with 52 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

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