Rams Drop Second in a Row, After 5-0 Start

Rams Drop Second in a Row, After 5-0 Start

The University of Rhode Island football team (5-2, 3-2 CAA) was shut out for the first time since 2016, falling 44-0 to No. 5/5 Villanova Saturday.

The Rams were ranked 18th in the country going into the game.

Rhode Island's offense has nearly disappeared in the past two weeks. The previous week URI lost to Towson 24-7.

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After punting on its first possession, Villanova (6-1, 4-0 CAA Football) scored on its next four possessions. The Wildcats got a 3-yard touchdown run from Jalen Jackson, then turned a Rhody fumble into a 5-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Smith to Todd Summers.

Smith later added a 23-yard touchdown pass to Rayjoun Pringle. Cole Bunce's 41-yard field goal in the final minute of the second quarter capped the scoring as Villanova took a 24-0 lead into the break.

The Wildcats added 20 more points in the second half to run away with the victory. Villanova is in sole possession of first place in the CAA, holding wins over both second-place James Madison and third-place Rhode Island.

THREE UGLY STATS

• Rhode Island was just 3-of-13 on third downs and 0-for-4 on fourth downs.
• Villanova outgained Rhode Island in yardage, 511-165.
• Through the first five games, Rhode Island outscored opponents 44-0 in points off turnovers. Over the last two games, it has been a 27-0 edge for the opposition.