Bryant and Brown Hit the Road While URI Looks For 1st Win

Bryant and Brown Hit the Road While URI Looks For 1st Win

Two of the three division I football teams in Rhode Island are on the road this week. Brown visits New England rival Holy Cross looking to get their record to .500, while Bryant visits conference rival Central Connecticut looking to snap a two game losing streak. Meanwhile, the URI Rams are back home looking for their first win of the season.

Bryant at Central Connecticut, 1 p.m.

The Bryant Bulldogs (2-2) begin NEC play when they visit (1-4,0-1) Central Connecticut this afternoon. The Bulldogs were picked as the preseason favorite in the NEC and begin their quest to win their first ever conference title.

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Bryant comes in on a two game losing streak including a 31-24 loss to Monmouth last week in which Bryant quarterback Dalton Easton threw three interceptions. Despite the turnovers, Bryant was still very much in the game and had a chance to tie it at the end but could not get into the endzone.

Offensively, Bryant just needs to stay away from turnovers, they just kill momentum.

Look for the Bulldogs to try and get running back Ricardo McCray going early in the game and take pressure off of Easton and quiet the road crowd.

On the defensive end, the Bulldogs will look to tighten up the run defense after giving up 216 yards (6 yards per carry) and ten first downs on the ground last week. They will also look to improve 4th down efficiency if and when Central Connecticut goes for it.

Last week, Bryant allowed Monmouth to convert on three of four fourth down attempts to help Monmouth keep momentum.

Bryant looks to end this four game road trip on a good note and get conference play started off with a win.

Brown at Holy Cross, 1 p.m.

Brown (1-2,0-1 Ivy) visits New England rival (2-2, 0-1) Holy Cross this afternoon. Brown and Holy Cross have played 59 previous times with Holy Cross leading the series 32-24-3, dating back to 1898. However, the last time the Crusaders beat Brown was in 2010 when they won 17-13.

For Brown to get back to .500 they are going to have to go in and play a clean game on the road. Last week, the Bears defeated URI but nearly cost themselves the game with two turnovers that resulted in 14 easy points for the Rams.

The Brown offense is going up against a Holy Cross defense that is coming off a shut out against Albany last week, limiting the Great Dane offense to just 203 yards of total offense. This will be a solid test for the Brown offense.

The Brown defense needs to continue to force turnovers. The Bears had three interceptions last week against URI, including one that sealed the game.

URI vs Delaware, 12 p.m.

The University of Rhode Island Rams (0-5, 0-2) host (2-3, 1-1) Delaware this afternoon at Meade Stadium. URI is 8-22 all-time against Delaware and have lost four of the last five meetings.

For the Rams to get a win in this game, they are going to have to contain Delaware's run game and force them to pass. Delaware comes in averaging 250 yards per game on the ground while only 78 yards through the air. Getting Delaware to throw the ball will give URI a chance a turnovers and quick three and outs as the Blue Hens prefer to run the ball.

On the offensive side of the ball, URI had success last week against Brown. They were able to move up and down the field pretty much at will throughout the game, however, three interceptions cost them. If the Rams offense can come into this game and put up a similar performance, minus the turnovers, they have a good chance at winning.

This will be a passing game for Rams quarterback Paul Mroz as Delaware gives up 259 passing yards per game, compared to only 100 yards per game on the ground.

URI has a good chance to get their first win of the season when they host Delaware. Limiting turnovers and taking away Delaware's run game will be the key.