Special to PhotoSports.com and Ram Fans
Copy and Photos by Nick Murgo
c 2005
Amherst, MA
September 24, 2005
The 15,300 plus fans at McGuirk Field in Amherst were treated to a fantastic football game. The pre-game hype of a game between two fine Atlantic 10 teams was justified. The air was electric with hard hitting and big plays. Adding to the football atmosphere were over fifty Massachusetts school bands. When the lights came on, the showdown between the two longtime rivals began.
UMass, with the number one defense in the A-10, held Rhode Island to only two field goals. The Rams had their chances to score, but twice when they were inside the red zone with first and goal, UMASS kept Rhody from scoring a touchdown. Rhode Island threw everything they had in their explosive offense against the Minutemen, but it simply wasn't enough to overcome the home field advantage.
Rhode Island led 3- 0 after the first quarter, but UMass scored 14 second quarter points. The Rams' defense then held the home team scoreless for the rest of the game - including a key 4th and goal stuff just before halftime. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Colin Gallagher kicked his second goal to make the score 14-6.
Rhode Island's offense had the ball for only one more possession in the last quarter. Starting at the seven minute mark, UMass maintained control of the ball, the clock, and the game. Rhode Island played very well overall. They had no turnovers, and defensively they sacked UMass twice. The experience they gained and the effort they put forth are reasons enough for their fans to feel good about this team, and the rest of the season.
Next Up - October 1, Brown University - Providence RI - 1 pm.
Brown QB Nick DiGiacomo passed for 3 TD passes and 287 yards against Harvard and All Ivy running back Nick Hartigan carried 29 times for 115 yards. Brown will be looking to make it two in a row while Rhody seeks to return the Cup to Kingston where it has been three of the last four years. Be there to support your team and to see the battle for the Governor's Cup.
