On the path to rebuilding its program, the University of Rhode Island football team lost to Fordham University Sunday, 16-0.

The game was postponed after Tropical Storm Hanna made its way through Rhode Island Saturday, but the extra time did not help the Rams attain their goals on Sunday.

Rizzi said that the storm caused logistical problems, but both teams went through it so they had no excuse.

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“I felt we played hard,” head coach Darren Rizzi said. “We had very good enthusiasm, but we didn’t execute well and gave up big plays. The effort standpoint got better.”

Fordham started the first quarter with a 33-yard field goal, then went on to score a touchdown in the second on an 87-yard pass. The Fordham Rams held a 10-0 lead into the fourth quarter. They sealed victory after a 50-yard touchdown pass to take the 16-0 win.

The pivotal points of the game, Rizzi said, were the two touchdowns.

“We had an opportunity to make a play on special teams but missed,” he said. “We didn’t win situations.”

The Rams made 174 yards for the game, but could only get 84 in the first half. Senior quarterback Derek Cassidy attempted a career-best 41 passes. He completed 25 of those for 200 yards.

“We had a few individual very good performances,” Rizzi said. “Freshman punter Tim Edger kept us in the game with five punts. Our defense was really flying. [Sophomore] Joe Harris, [senior] Steve Weedon and [sophomore] Victor Adesanya played very hard. [Junior] Joe Bellini on offense made good catches.”

Bellini had four catches for a total of 62 yards while freshman Tyquan Bynum had five catches for 43 yards.

Rizzi said the team strategy is about the same every game, with the offense needing to stay balanced. He also said they need to focus more on the “how to” of the season as opposed to the end result.

The Rams will continue working on the “how to” on Saturday against the University of New Hampshire at noon. They are home at Meade Stadium and will also be broadcasted live on Cox Sports Television.

“It will be a big game,” Rizzi said. “We lost a day to prepare [with the storm] but fortunately the game is at home. It should be a great atmosphere and we encourage students and faculty to come out and watch us.”

UNH has moved up in this week’s “Sports Network” Top 25 poll from No. 15 to No. 10 after they defeated Army at West Point 28-10 on Sept. 6.

Rams football posts 16-0 loss to Fordham
By Kayla Panu, The Good 5c Cigar
http://media.www.ramcigar.com/media/storage/paper366/news/2008/09/09/Sports/Rams-Football.Posts.160.Loss.To.Fordham-3421205.shtml