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Football
Football Welcomes No. 21/23 Maine to Meade Stadium
Nov. 12, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format
KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football team (2-8 overall; 0-6 CAA Football) will close out the home portion of its schedule on Saturday as it welcomes No. 21/23 Maine (7-3 overall; 4-2 CAA Football) to Meade Stadium. Kickoff is set for Noon. URI's game against Maine will also serve as Senior Day for 16 URI players. The Rams matchup with Maine marks the 87th matchup between the two teams. The Black Bears hold a 49-34-3 series advantage. The last meeting occured on Nov. 10, 2007 in Orono, Maine, with the Black Bears defeating the Rams, 35-0. Rhode Island's last victory over Maine was back on Oct. 28, 2006 in Kingston, R.I. with the Rams winning 3-0. "Maine has been very impressive this season," said URI head coach Darren Rizzi on the CAA Football weekly teleconference. "I know they had a rocky beginning to start the year, but they have done a great job since their bye week running off five straight wins. Four of those wins have come in conference play. I'm really impressed with their players and their athleticism." Maine enters the game in a first-place tie with New Hampshire in the CAA North Division. The Black Bears will also be in search of its sixth-straight victory. Maine's 7-3 record is the Black Bears' best mark through 10 games since the 2002 season when they were 8-2. "Whenever you play good football teams like Maine, or anyone in the CAA, you really have a great chance to evaluate where you stand as a team and as a program." Rizzi said. The Rams return to action for the first time since their matchup against then No. 15 Massachusetts. In that game, URI was shutout at home 49-0. Rhode Island enters Saturday's contest with the league's No. 3 passing offense, which has averaged 257.6 yards through the air. Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy (Winter Haven, Fla.) leads the Rams' offensive attack. Through 10 games, Cassidy has thrown for 2,474 yards and 15 touchdowns. Six of Cassidy's 15 touchdown passes have gone for 25 yards or more. In home games this season, Cassidy has been at his best, throwing for 1,347 yards (269.4 ypg) and 10 touchdowns while completing 59.9 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 400-or-more yards. Junior wide receiver Shawn Leonard (Stoughton, Mass.) leads the way with a team-best 555 yards receiving. He also leads the squad with five receiving touchdowns. Four of those scores have come in URI's last five games. Freshman Brandon Johnson-Farrell leads the team in receptions with 52, which tops all CAA Football freshmen. Johnson-Farrell has also caught at least one pass in every game this season. In addition, Johnson-Farrell leads the team in all-purpose yardage with 1,305. "The best part about him is that he's still a freshman so he's going to be around for a couple more years," Rizzi said. "His maturity is possibly the biggest reason he's doing so well." Sophomore linebacker Matt Hansen leads the way defensively for the Rams with a team-best 90 tackles. Hansen's 90 tackles also rank second in CAA Football. Last year as a freshmen, Hansen recorded 73 stops. 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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Saturday, Nov 14
Footballat Maine Orono, Maine 12:00 PM 
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Saturday, Nov 21
Footballvs Northeastern Kingston, R.I. 12:30 PM
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