NO. 8 FOOTBALL TEAM VISITS RHODE ISLAND LIVE ON COMCAST SPORTS NET
COMPLETE GAME NOTES IN PDF FORMAT
No. 8 University of New Hampshire @ University of Rhode Island
12:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 Meade Stadium
TV: CSN NE: Gary Tanguay (play-by-play), Andy Gresh (analyst)
Radio: Wildcat Sports Network: Jim Jeannotte (play-by-play), Loren Foxx (analyst)
THE COACHES
UNH: Sean McDonnell
Years as head coach: 12th
Overall Record: 81-53
Record at UNH: 81-53
CAA Record: 48-43
Alma Mater: UNH '78
Rhode Island: Joe Trainer
Years as head coach: 5th
Overall Record: 14-32
Record at Rhode Island: 1-12
CAA Record: 0-10
Alma Mater: Dickinson '90
LAST TIME OUT: The University of New Hampshire football team, ranked #5 in the nation in the FCS, was defeated 38-16 by FBS representative University of Pittsburgh in front of 50,120 fans Saturday afternoon at Heinz Field. Both teams are now 1-1 overall. UNH starting quarterback R.J. Toman completed 15 of 29 pass attempts for 183 yards. Kevin Decker entered the game in the fourth quarter and led the Wildcats to a scoring drive. He went 6-for-8 for 42 yards, including an 11-yard scoring pass play to Sean Cullen, and was the team's leading rusher with 27 yards on three carries. Junior tight end Chris Jeannot recorded career highs in both receptions (12) and receiving yards (110). Sean Jellison and Terrance Fox were the next top targets with 46 and 42 receiving yards, respectively. UNH's defensive effort was led by Hugo Souza (eight tackles), Devon Jackson and Matt Evans, who finished with seven tackles apiece. Ryan McGuinness recorded an interception while both John Murray and Lance Mailloux tallied sacks. Pitt was led on the ground by Ray Graham (nine carries, 115 yards, two TDs), while reigning Big East Player of the Year Dion Lewis was held to a career-low 27 yards on 10 carries. Tino Sunseri went 24 of 34 for 275 yards and two TDs. Jon Baldwin was the top target with six receptions for 100 yards.
SCOUTING THE RAMS : Rhode Island is seeking to snap a 12-game losing streak that stretches back to Sept. 19, 2009. URI's last victory came over Fordham, 41-28, in head coach Joe Trainer's debut on Sept. 5, 2009. Fordham avenged that defeat last week, 27-25, at Jack Coffey Field. QB Steve Probst, a Hofstra tranfser, finished the game 26 of 41 for a career-high 224 yards and three touchdowns in defeat for Rhody. Sophomore WR Ty Bynum pulled in a personal-best two TD receptions (31 yards, 3 yards) and junior WR Anthony Baskerville scored his first career TD on a nine-yard reception.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three members of the Rams starting lineup are transfers from Hofstra, which dropped its football program during the offseason: The starting QB, Probst, who has passed for 369 yards (44-83-2) and three TDs in two games; WR Billy Morgan (5 catches-43 yards) and WLB Chris Edmond, the Rams' leading tackler (14-6-20). Sophomore RB Ayo Isijola leads the rushing attack (25 carries-75 yards), classmate Brandon Johnson-Farrell is the top receiver (9 catches-98 yards) and, on defense, senior DB Jarrod Williams has a team-leading 16 solo tackles and an interception. Williams, who has moved to CB this year, led the Rams with four interceptions in 2009, when he also tallied a career-best 65 tackles primarily playing safety.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Totals UNH URI
Total Yards Gained 708 566
Total Offense 354.0 283.0
Rush Offense 193.0 98.5
Pass Offense 161.0 184.5
Points Per Game 24.5 12.5
Total Yards Allowed 665 857
Total Defense 332.5 428.5
Rush Defense 127.5 151.5
Pass Defense 205.0 277.0
Points Allowed/Gm. 20.5 29.0
Possession Avg. 28:09 31:00
Sacks/Yards Lost 8/47 5/44
Sacks Made/Yards 5/28 3/17
Total Touchdowns 7 3
Penalties/Yards 12-116 15-127
Punts/Avg. 12-34.4 16-40.7
Turnover Differential +1 even
OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS: The UNH offense is averaging 54.2 points per game in its last five games -all victories- against Rhode Island. For their part, the Rams have averaged 40.3 points per game in their last three meetings against the 'Cats. Here is a glance at the recent shootouts between the longtime rivals:
Year Score Notes
2009 55-42 Kackert 166 rushing yds/Jeannot 53-yd TD
2008 51-43 Toman career-high TD (5), yds (309)
2007 49-36 Santos 5 TD passes, one rushing
2006 63-21 Ball: 10 rec.-112 yds., sets A-10 catch record
2005 53-9 Santos: 12-13, 4 TDs, on homecoming
WILDCATS VS RAMS IN THE COACH MAC ERA: UNH head coach Sean McDonnell is 8-2 all-time against Rhode Island, including his first career head-coaching victory in his debut 9/4/99. The Wildcats have triumphed in the last six head-to-head meetings with the Rams. Here are the results of each UNH/URI battle in the Coach Mac Era:
Date Home/Away Score Record vs URI
11/7/09 Home 55-42 8-2
9/13/08 Away 51-43 7-2
10/27/07 Home 49-36 6-2
11/11/06 Away 63-21 5-2
10/15/05 Home 53-9 4-2
11/6/04 Away 27-3 3-2
9/20/03 Home 40-55 2-2
10/20/01 Away 27-31 2-1
9/9/00 Home 13-12 2-0
9/4/99 Away 37-14 1-0*
*Coach McDonnell's coaching debut
Italics = loss
ON THIS DATE: SEPTEMBER 18: The Wildcats are 3-2 all-time on Sept. 18, but have dropped the last two games on this date. This is the first time the 'Cats have ever played a road game on this date.
Year Opponent Score H/A
2004 William & Mary 7-9, L H
1999 James Madison 28-35, L H
1993 Richmond 31-20, W H
1982 Boston Univ. 22-20, W H
1976 Boston Univ. 13-0, W H
