Rhode Island Football Drops 39-14 Decision to William and Mary
URI returns to action next week at New Hampshire

KINGSTON, R.I. – Senior wide receiver Shawn Leonard caught a pair of touchdown passes, but it was not enough as the Rhode Island football team fell 39-14 to No. 5/5 William and Mary Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium.

Junior quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne threw for 175 yards through the air, completing passes to six different receivers. He also tossed a pair of touchdown passes, which was a career-high for a single game.

Leonard’s two scores marked the fourth time in his career in which he has recorded a pair of touchdown receptions in a single game. Leonard’s last two-touchdown performance came on Oct. 10 at home against William and Mary.

Defensively for the Rams, junior linebackers Matt Hansen (16), Rob Damon (11) and Dan O’Connell (10) each finished with 10-or-more tackles.

Hansen’s 16-tackle performance was a career-high and it marked the third time this season he has tallied 10-or-more tackles in a single game.

Rhody took the early lead in the first quarter as Paul-Etienne found Leonard in the front corner of the end zone to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

The URI scoring drive was set up after senior wide receiver Joe Bellini tackled Tribe punter David Miller in the backfield after he had trouble handling a high snap.

Paul-Etienne then directed the Rhody offense 26 yards in eight plays for the score. Paul-Etienne hit Bellini on a fourth and nine situation, which kept the drive alive.

William and Mary responded by scoring 21 unanswered points to take a 21-7 lead into the locker room.

The final touchdown of the half came when William and Mary quarterback R.J. Archer hit tight end Rob Varno in end zone with 14 seconds remaining, which capped a 13 play 67 yard drive.

Defensively in the first half, Rhody held CAA leading rusher Jonathan Grimes to just 20 yards. Grimes finished the game with 54 yards

In the second half, William and Mary outscored Rhody 18-7.

Rhody’s final touchdown came with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter as Leonard hauled in a 29-yard pass from Paul-Etienne, which capped a five play, 73-yard drive.

Rhody returns to action next week as it heads North to take on New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for Noon.