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Football
Football Returns Home to Take on No. 15/15 Massachusetts
Oct. 29, 2008
KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (2-7 overall; 0-5 CAA Football) returns action on Saturday as it welcomes No. 15/15 Massachusetts (5-3 overall; 2-2 CAA Football) to Meade Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon. Rhode Island's game against Massachusetts will mark the second-consecutive season in which the Rams have faced the Minutemen at home. In last year's contest, the Rams defeated the No. 3 Minutemen 12-6 in overtime. On Saturday, the Minutemen will once again come into Meade Stadium ranked among the Top 25 in both FCS polls. Over the last three weeks, each of the Rams' opponents have been ranked in the FCS polls. "This week's game against the University of Massachusetts obviously presents another challenge for us," Rhode Island head coach Darren Rizzi said. "I'm glad we have them at home. Last year we had a real battle with them and I know they are going to be fired up for this week. They have a very good team and they are solid all the way across the board." Fifth-year senior quarterback Liam Coen, who earlier this season became the 21st quarterback to throw for more than 10,000 career passing yards, leads UMass. Last week, Coen engineered the Minutemen to a 42-7 victory over Bryant. "Liam Coen is a phenomenal player and he is one of the best quarterbacks in Division I-AA history," Rizzi said. "He has some great receivers to throw to and he has done a great job in finding his play makers this season." The Rams enter the game after suffering a 34-24 loss on the road to nationally-ranked William and Mary. URI's loss this past weekend to William and Mary dropped the Rams to 0-5 in CAA Football. This season, the Rams have lost by 10 points or less in four conference games. "I think that we have a resilient group that continues to battle," Rizzi said. "This past week we were a little bit more consistent in the three phases and that's why we were in the football game. I'm still very enthused about this team because we have seen improvement." Rhode Island enters Saturday's contest with the league's No. 3 passing offense which has averaged 264.8 yards through the air. In 2008, the Rams have passed for 200-or-more-yards in seven out of nine games, including a 480-yard performance against nationally-ranked New Hampshire back on Sept. 13. Prior to this season, Rhode Island had surpassed 200 yards in passing just four times since 2003. Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy (Winter Haven, Fla.) leads the Rams' offensive attack. Through nine games, Cassidy has thrown for 2,289 yards and 15 touchdowns. In home games this season, Cassidy has been at his best, throwing for 1,162 yards (290.5 ypg) and 10 touchdowns while completing 60.7 percent of his passes. This season, the URI signal-caller has completed passes to 12 different receivers. Four of those receivers have caught 35-or-more passes for 350-or-more yards. Junior wide receiver Shawn Leonard (Stoughton, Mass.) leads the way with a team-best 547 yards receiving. In the Rams' last three games, Leonard has caught at least four passes for 70-or-more yards. Steve McDonald and Terry Lynch will provide the radio call live on the Rams Radio Network - WHJJ 920 AM and WJZS 99.3 FM. The game can also been seen live on www.gorhody.com. To purchase tickets for this weekend's game click here.
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