Sept. 24, 2005
Box Score |
Quotes |
Notes |
Photo Gallery
AMHERST, Mass. -
No. 24 UMass remained perfect in Atlantic 10 play after Saturday night's 14-6 win over No. 25 Rhode Island. The Minutemen improve to 3-1 overall, 2-0 A-10 heading into the bye week. UMass' Steve Baylark gained more than 100 yards for the 13th time in his career with 28 carries for 132 yards. It was the sixth time in nine games that he passed the 100-yard plateau, including a 138-yard performance at URI on Oct. 23, 2004.
UMass' defense held Rhode Island's high-powered running attack in check for a 14-6 win on Saturday night. Rhode Island, which came into the game averaging 495 yards of offense per game, was held to 249 by a UMass defense that has given up just one touchdown and 15 points this season.
The Rams (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic 10) took a 3-0 lead on Colin Gallagher's 21-yard field goal at 9:55 of the first quarter.
The Minutemen (3-1, 2-0) took control when Baylark capped an 80-yard drive with a 5-yard run at 13:55 of the second quarter.
On their next possession, the Minutemen mounted a 60-yard drive culminating in R.J. Cobbs' 1-yard touchdown run at 5:36 of the second quarter to go up 14-3.
Gallagher kicked a 29-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
UMass quarterback Liam Coen was 18 of 24 for 290 yards passing playing against his home-state team making it an esepcially sweet result.
Jon Casey rushed for 148 yards on 21 carries to lead the Rams.
POSTGAME NOTES
No. 24 UMass 14, No. 25 Rhode Island 6 * Sept, 24, 2005 * McGuirk Stadium
The attendance on Saturday night was 15,314, the 20th-largest in McGuirk Stadium history. Last year's Colgate game drew 16,405 which was the 11th-largest at McGuirk Stadium.
UMass held Rhode Island to 249 yards of total offense. The Rams came into the game averaging 495.0 yards of offense per game.
UMass' defense allowed just 6 points. Coming into the game, UMass' defense had allowed just nine points over the first three games (3.3 per game).
Steve Baylark gained more than 100 yards for the 13th time in his career with 28-132. It was the sixth time in nine games, he passed the 100-yard plateau including 138 at URI last Oct. 23.
UMass held Rhode Island to just 32 yards of offense for their final five drives of the first half after the Rams gained 76 on their first drive of the game.
James Ihedigbo had a sack in the second quarter to give him 5.5 this season. He also had 1.5 tackles for a loss to give him 8.5 this season through four games. He came into the game leading the A-10 in sacks and tackles for a loss.
Dominique Stewart had his career-long reception in the third quarter, a 45-yarder from Liam Coen. It was his third catch of the season. The pass play was also Coen's longest career completion.
With his second-quarter touchdown Steve Baylark is now tied for seventh in career rushing touchdowns with 20, tying Frank Alessio (1993-96), Jerome Bledsoe (1988-91) and Paul Metallo (1971-72).
R.J. Cobbs had his 17th career rushing touchdown in the second quarter and is now 12th in career rushing TD's with three this season and 14 in 2002.
Mike Douglas had a career-long 31-yard reception from Liam Coen in the second quarter. Douglas also had a 25-yard catch and had 56 yards in the game the most in a game in his career bearking his old high of 51 at Colgate.
Frank McDonald had his first career catch late in the first quarter, a 6-yard reception. He did have two catches while at Northeastern in 2002.
When Liam Coen was sacked in the first quarter, it marked just the third time a UMass quarterback had been sacked over the last seven games dating to last season.
Christian Koegel opened the game with a 54-yard punt marking the ninth time in the last 12 games he has at least one punt of 50 or more yards.
UMass started in a two-tight end formation with both starter Mike Douglas and Chris Hopkins with no fullback. On defense, UMass started in a nickel with Brandon Smith as a fifth defensive back.
UMass now has 44 wins over Rhode Island, the most for UMass against any team. The game was also the 80th in the series, the opponent UMass has met the most often in history. Second on that list is UConn, as the Minutemen and Huskies played 71 times from 1897-1999.
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