Saturday night marked the 100th meeting of the Governor’s Cup, when URI and Brown’s football annually face off.
The first game took place in 1909. Overall the Bears hold a 71-26-2 record against the Rams
Needless to say, the series has not gone well for the Rams. Rhode Island didn’t beat Brown until 1935, after losing 23 straight games. In fact, Rhode Island was shut out in the first 16 games and didn’t score in 21 of the 23 losses.
After Rhode Island won their first game, Brown followed with another 13-game winning streak giving them a 36-1 series advantage. However the series seems to be evening out more with the Rams possessing a 14-12 record against the Bears since 1988, despite Brown’s current five-game winning streak.
The last win for Rhody came in 2010 when they won an overtime thriller, 27-24. Quarterback Steve Probst ran for three scores in the game and wide receiver Brandon Johnson-Farrell caught nine passes for 104 yards.
The two coaches competing in this series also possess vastly different experience levels in the Governor’s Cup. Rhode Island’s Jim Fleming is just in his second year as head coach, appearing only twice in the Governor’s Cup. And Brown’s Phil Estes is in his 18th season since starting in 1998, appearing in his 17th game in rivalry. In the series Estes holds a 10-7 record against the Rams.
Since 1946, the two teams have played every year besides 1992 due to scheduling conflict. Â With both teams having signed on to play through at least 2021, alternating venues between Meade Stadium and Brown Stadium, fans can feel confident in seeing at least six more meetings between the in-state rivals.