The University of Rhode Island football team lost their home opener on Saturday, 41-10, against No. 25 Harvard University to give them their third consecutive loss to start the season.
Harvard set the pace early, going end-to-end in less than four minutes. The drive culminated in a 45-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Scott Hosch to junior Ryan Halvorson.
After the lead swelled to 14-0 in favor of the Crimson, Rhode Island’s junior quarterback Paul Mroz connecting on a 62-yard pass to freshman Khayri Denny for his second touchdown of the year (both to Denny). The pass, which came at the beginning of the second quarter, was the first completion for URI on the day, and cut the lead in half. The pass was also the longest in 29 games for Rhody.
“I think Paul has made improvements, and he works very hard for it,†said head coach Jim Fleming. “I am very comfortable with him leading offense going forward.â€
The momentum continued to build for Rhode Island when sophomore corner Isaiah Hill snagged his first career interception, setting the Rams up deep in Crimson territory. Freshman Justin Rohrwasser connected on a 33-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10.
To close the half, Harvard drove down the field and scored on a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Paul Stanton Jr.
The second half only got worst for the Rams. Although they played well at times, particularly sophomore running back Harold Cooper who finished the day with 95 rushing yards, they would end up being outscored 20-0 in the second half.
“We were in a very competitive football game until right to the beginning of the fourth quarter again†Fleming said. “That is very good and very positive. I thought these guys ran the ball hard, and we got some tough yards.â€
For the first time this season, Rhode Island didn’t turn the ball over. They also finished with 310 total yards of offense, their most on the season, and held Harvard to converting just three of eight third downs.
The Rams play next at the University of Maine on Saturday as they look to capture their first victory of the season.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfWGsJ9jBQI&list=PLm3BfiRDTdF3WSQ55dCng3UeJtm0jPc2F&index=3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI-0lnRFR2s&index=2&list=PLm3BfiRDTdF3WSQ55dCng3UeJtm0jPc2F
ALL VIDEO SHOT BY JUSTIN EVERS AND DANA NEUGENT. EDITED BY COLIN HOWARTH