Courtesy of Rhode Island Athletics
KINGSTON, R.I. – Senior quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne threw for 177 yards though the air to lead the Blue Team past the White Team, 24-7 in the Rhode Island football annual spring game Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium.
Defensively, the Blue Team got a lift from redshirt freshman safety David Zocco as he picked off a pair of passes in the first half. Zocco returned his first interception 55 yards to the endzone to give the Blue team a 7-0 lead.
Zocco’s second interception stopped the White Team’s scoring drive, which began deep in the Blue Team’s territory (26 yard-line) after red-shirt freshman Robert Hinds blocked a punt.
The Blue Team found the endzone again in the second quarter thanks to a nine-play, 73-yard drive, which made the score 14-0. The key play on the drive was a 38-yard pass play from Paul-Etienne to sophomore wide receiver Billy Morgan. Sophomore running back Ellis Foster capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
Morgan, who transferred from Hofstra over the offseason finished the afternoon with six reception for 100 yards.
The White Team got on the board just before halftime thanks to 37-yard field goal by junior Louis Feinstein. Feinstein would later cut the Blue Team’s lead to six as he hit a 19-yard field in the third quarter.
The Blue Team responded as it scored the final 10 points of the game, including its second offensive touchdown.
Senior Michael Okunfolami plowed in from four yards out, which capped a nine-play drive and made the score 24-6. Paul-Etienne went 4-of-5 on the Blue Team’s final scoring drive, completing passes to three different receivers.
Senior running back Anthony Ferrer led the way for the White Team as he totaled 117 yards of offense (80 rushing, 37 receiving). White Team quarterback Steve Probst also chipped in with 102 yards passing.
Following the game junior cornerback Devon Dace and sophomore offensive lineman Matt Greenhalgh were selected as the most improved defensive and offensive players of spring practice, respectively.
Rhode Island football head coach Joe Trainer and the Rhody football team will host a bone marrow registry drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 29 on the URI student quad.
The Rams open the 2010 campaign at Buffalo on Thursday, Sept. 2 when they travel to Buffalo. URI opens its home season on Sept. 11 against New Hampshire.