Friday night lights shine for URI
Rams look to rebound following Week 1 loss
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – This week offers the perfect chance to turn the page.
That’s the approach Jim Fleming has adopted. A frustrating loss at Georgia State in the opener gives way to a visit from Stony Brook, as the University of Rhode Island will play its first home football game in program history under Friday night lights.
The Rams and Seawolves will battle in Coastal Athletic Association action at Meade Stadium. Stony Brook has already jumped into its FCS schedule, fading in the fourth quarter last week during a loss to Delaware. No. 22 URI was more competitive against FBS opposition, giving the Panthers all they could handle before suffering a 42-35 defeat.
“The way you flush it is by bringing a CAA conference opponent into your stadium,” Fleming said. “Understanding that our focus has always been on those games.”
Fleming’s remarks during his regular Monday morning conference call carried a tinge of bitterness. Georgia State ran out the clock thanks to a controversial measurement that resulted in the clinching first down. The Rams didn’t agree with the initial spot, the second look or the video review of the play — it brought to mind a disputed late call at New Hampshire last season that could have denied URI a longawaited FCS playoff berth.
“We’re sick and tired of how that stuff is working out for us,” Fleming said. “But that’s a little bit of a commentary. Very proud of how we played.
URI and Stony Brook will battle in Coastal Athletic Association action at Meade Stadium at 7 p.m. today. The matchup will be the Rams’ first home football game in program history under Friday night lights.
We should have won it.”
The Rams (0-1, 0-0 CAA) took plenty of positives away from a Thursday trip to Atlanta. Kasim Hill threw for 408 yards and fired four touchdown passes.
The seventh-year veteran should be licking his chops against a Seawolves defense that allowed 20 passing first downs and 414 yards through the air in a 37-13 setback against the Blue Hens.
“There’s a high level of confidence on offense,” Fleming said. “We’ve got to continue to build on that.”
One of the emerging standouts used to call the Interscholastic League home. Marquis Buchanan recorded his first career catch, touchdown and 100-yard receiving game against Georgia State. He was a depth option in 2022 after starring for multiple seasons at Classical — Buchanan’s breakout could be underway.
“It was a long freshman year for him,” Fleming said. “He got into that situation because we were getting a little fatigued. He’s in the rotation.”
URI’s rebuilt defense will need to find a bit more steel for the 7 p.m. kick against Stony Brook (0-1, 0-1 CAA). Georgia State mounted touchdown drives on each of its first three possessions, averaged 6.1 yards per carry and closed 16for-20 passing. The Rams didn’t recover the lone fumble they forced and finished minus-2 in the turnover battle.
“We’ve got to correct the problems on the other side of the ball,” Fleming said. “We gave up too many explosions.”