Blue-White Game Wraps Up Spring Football For Rhody Rams

April 30, 2016 8:34 pm

University of Rhode Island Press Release

KINGSTON, R.I. – Junior running back T.J. Anderson rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown and redshirt freshman quarterback Jordan Vazzano led three first-half scoring drives as the offense won the annual Blue-White football game 63-49 in Meade Stadium Saturday morning.

The defense got on the board first, scoring five points when Jose Duncan recovered a fumble forced by Mike Ezirike on the first play from scrimmage. Given a short field to work with, the offensive leaned on Anderson to go 20 yards on five plays for a touchdown. Anderson ran four times for 15 yards, including a touchdown plunge from the 2-yard line for the score.

After the early score, the defense limited the offense for much of the first quarter. Late in the second quarter, Vazzano led a 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive just before halftime. Vazzano was 3-for-4 for 45 yards on the drive, capping things off with a 2-yard touchdown run with 16 seconds left before the half.

"I thought it was a good spring," head coach Jim Fleming said. "We limited what the defense could do it a bit so we could focus on playing solid, fundamental four-down football. I thought the kids executed. We saw good discipline and guys were getting their assignments down well.

"Offensively, with the exception of some stupid penalties and putting the ball on the ground a few times, I thought we showed an ability to move the ball a little bit at times. There was good flow and rhythm on both sides of the ball."

SPRING HONORS
At halftime of the game, three players were honored for their work throughout camp. Redshirt freshman center Dwayne Scott was named the team’s Most Improved Player for the offense, while redshirt junior defensive tackle Mike Ezirike took home the honor for the defense. Junior defensive lineman Anthony St. Laurent received the Iron Ram Award for his work in the weight room.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Offense

Sophomore kicker Justin Rohrwasser was one of the most impressive players on the day. He was perfect on three field goal attempts, hitting from 44, 42, and 34 yards. Rohrwasser also made both his extra point attempts.
Rhode Island’s quarterbacks were 23-of-50 for 285 yards, and most importantly, no interceptions. Jordan Vazzano was 9-of-16 for 130 yards. Wesley McKoy was 5-of-15 for 35 yards, plus 19 rushing yards. Paul Mroz (4-of-8, 57 yards), James Caparell (3-of-7, 13 yards) and Vito Priore (2-of-4, 50 yards) all saw snaps as well.
Junior T.J. Anderson ran 10 times for 55 yards and one touchdown, while sophomore Nick Day was impressive, running six times for 59 yards. Day had the longest run of the day, a 27-yard scamper.
Sophomore wide receiver Khayri Denny had a team-high three catches for 27 yards. Redshirt sophomore Drew Siflinger had two catches for 50 yards.
Redshirt sophomore Marven Beauvais (2 catches, 46 yards), senior Sam Benjamin (2 catches, 35 yards) and redshirt junior Rendyll Moorman (2 catches, 31 yards) all made big plays for the offense.

Defense

Junior defensive end Jose Duncan was a very strong game, tying defensive back D.J. Stewart for game-high honors with five tackles. Duncan also had one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Cornerback Ahkema Evans had four tackles and a pass break-up. Evans often had tight coverage that prevented receivers from getting open.
Defensive tackle Mike Ezirike and linebacker Lorenzo Bryant each forced a fumble, while safety Calvin Milliner had a fumble recovery.
Defensive end Khilyni Kennedy caused a lot of pressure out of the base defense. He had three quarterback hurries and broke up a pass at the line of scrimmage.
While the defense had no interceptions, the unit did break up seven passes. Kennedy, Duncan, Evans and Milliner all broke up one, as did cornerback Abdul Ibrahim, defensive tackle Tyrone Barge and cornerback Hayden Prior.