Andre Blackett, 38, closes the game out with a sack, leading Rhode Island to a win against their CAA foe, Albany. Contributed by James Singer.
The University of Rhode Island Football team kicked off conference play last weekend with a nail-biting 16-14 victory on the road against the University of Albany Great Danes.
A strong, defensive effort throughout the game, forcing five sacks and holding the Great Danes to just 215 yards of offense, culminated in a sack from redshirt senior linebacker Andre Blackett on fourth-and-three with 22 seconds left in the game. The play helped put the game away for the Rams.
“The game was going to be hard fought,” Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “I challenged our defensive and offensive lines and I thought the game would be won up front, and I think we established ourselves in that area.”
The Rhody defense got off to a rocky start, allowing a nine-play, 96-yard drive to open the game, but they eventually buckled down and forced the Great Danes to go three-and-out on their next six possessions.
In the process, the offense and the special teams backed up the defense with scoring plays of their own. After Albany scored, the Rams offense marched down the field and converted a 1-yard run via redshirt senior Justice Antrum to get the Rams on the board. The point after was blocked, keeping a 7-6 Albany lead.
Early in the second quarter, redshirt senior Coby Tippett returned a punt 50 yards to the house to give the Rams a 13-7 lead with 14:05 left in the first half. The return helped him earn Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
“We work very hard on that component of special teams, ” Fleming said. “The kids were in good position, but [Tippett’s] little spin move really started the return, and he was able to weave his way through. The blocking was good up front, but it was an individual decision on his part and a dream come true to get him in the end zone.”
The Great Danes managed to get within field goal range with under a minute to play in the first half, but quarterback Braeden Zenelovic was picked off by redshirt junior Henry Yianakopolos, the first interception of his career.
They finally responded late in the third quarter, courtesy of running back Karl Mofor, who punched in a 2-yard run to help the Great Danes regain the lead.
On the ensuing possession, the Rams countered with their longest drive of the game — a 14-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 35-yard field goal from redshirt senior C.J. Carrick to put the Rams up 16-14 with 13:25 to play in the game.
The Great Danes’ best opportunity to get a go-ahead score came during their final possession of the game when quarterback Jeff Undercuffler led the team all the way to midfield before their offense stalled. With one final chance to save the drive and the game on fourth down, Undercuffler was met by a blitzing Andre Blackett up the middle.
Blackett finished the game with a team-high eight tackles. Freshman defensive tackle Westley Neal, Jr. finished with a career-high seven tackles and one sack. His performance helped him earn CAA Rookie of the Week honors.
“Westley is a very talented kid that we were able to pick up late in recruiting,” Fleming said. “He’s got a great attitude; he’s got great spirit; and [I’m] really looking forward to big things as he goes forward along with his boys that play [defensive] line with him.”
On the offensive side of the ball, Antrum put up another solid performance, rushing for 84 yards and a score and redshirt senior Ivory Frimpong hauled in eight catches for 94 yards.
The Rams take a short break from conference play this Saturday for the 105th meeting against Brown with the Governor’s Cup up for grabs. Kick off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and the game can be watched on ESPN+.