UMass game notes for Rhode Island here (html) and here (pdf)
Rhody's game note for UMass are here (html) and here (pdf)
Rhode Island's 2008 stats here .
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The Providence Journal has an article about Rhode Island native Liam Coen here .
Matty Vautour has an article about the Minutemen's last two losses in Rhode Island .
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The Rams are 2-7 so far in 2008. Their wins:
- Monmouth 27-24 (note the Hawks are 5-3 and undefeated in the NEC conference)
- Brown 37-13
- Fordham 0-16
- UNH 43-51 (Note the Rams had 517 yards of offense)
- Boston College 0-42
- Hofstra 20-23 (lost on a field goal with three seconds left)
- Towson 32-37
- Villanova 7-44
- William & Mary 24-34
This year the Rams under new head Coach Darren Rizzi have switched from a option attack to a mostly passing spread offense.
Leading the way is QB Derek Cassidy; he's 217-363 2289 yards 59.8% 15 TDs 254.3 yards/game with 12 INTs, which knock his EFF down to 119.77.
The Rams are in trouble with their rushing game All-American FB Joe Casey compounded his leg early in the season. Rhody's leading rusher is Jimmy Hughes who's 89-267 3.0 yards/carry 2TD's and 29.7 yards/game average. The Rams are only averaging 61.6 yards a game rushing.
Defensively, Matt Hansen is having a great year for the Rams. He has 49 UT 32 AT 82 TT 7.0-32 TFL 3 sacks 2 INT 4 FF and 2 blocked kicks. Whew!
The Rams are 9th and 10th in CAA scoring offense and total offense respectively.
They are 11th in both scoring and total defense . CAA stats here .
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Actually, the Rams are, in my opinion, farther along than I thought they'd be in the transition from a option running team to a spread option passing offense. Usually it take about three years to switch over. Even the mighty Georgia Southern Eagles had a difficult transition when they made the switch.
Losing Joe Casey really hurt the Rams. With no significant running game, opponents have been loading up against the pass.
They can generate offense as their 517 yards against UNH shows. UMass will need to get some offensive production against one of the weaker defenses in the CAA. If the offense clicks, then the Minutemen defense can tee off against Cassidy.
The weather is expected to be good. The Blog will be there as usual and is looking for UMass to have a big day.
