URI head coach Darren Rizzi holds up the Governor’s Cup after receiving it from Governor Carcieri, left. For a slide show of the game, go to projosports.com

The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Derek Cassidy threw for five touchdowns and the University of Rhode Island defeated Brown, 37-13, in the 27th annual Governor’s Cup game yesterday afternoon at Meade Stadium before a season-high 6,014 fans.

Cassidy completed 25 of 37 attempts for 298 yards to help Rhode Island improve to 2-4 (0-2 CAA). The Bears fell to 2-1 (1-0 Ivy). The Rams defeated the Bears, 49-42, in double overtime a year ago.

URI had a 13-0 halftime lead and took advantage of two Brown fumbles and two intercepted passes to secure the victory.

Brown’s Michael Dougherty completed 22 of 45 passes for 271 yards. Bobby Sewall led all receivers with nine catches for 130 yards and Steve Ziogas led both teams with 11 total tackles.

After last week’s emotional win over Harvard, Bears head coach Phil Estes was worried that his team might suffer an emotional letdown.

“All of the emotion of this game was on the Rhody side,” said Estes. “We came out flat in the first quarter and couldn’t capitalize on anything. We didn’t play well in any phase of the game — offense, defense and special teams.”

Following a scoreless first quarter, Rhode Island got on the scoreboard first, scoring on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Cassidy to Joe Bellini to cap a 65-yard scoring drive. The Rams built a 13-0 halftime lead following a blocked punt when Cassidy tossed an 11-yard scoring pass to Brandon Johnson-Farrell with 14 seconds left in the half.

The Bears had several chances in the half, one on an interception by Brown safety Chris Perkins that was returned to the URI 23-yard line, another on a 52-yard run by junior Buddy Farnhamto URI’s 23-yard line. But penalties and two missed field goals kept the Bears off the scoreboard.

Rhode Island jumped out to a 20-0 advantage on its first possession of the second half on a 45-yard pass play, scoring with 12:58 left in the third quarter.

The Bears got back in the game, 20-7, with 6:33 left in the third quarter when senior quarterback Dougherty connected on a 34-yard scoring pass to Sewall, capping a 68-yard scoring drive.

Following a 20-yard field goal by Rhode Island’s Louis Feinstein that gave Rhode Island a 23-7 advantage Brown clawed back into the game when senior Dereck Knight rambled into the end zone from 13 yards out to pull the Bears to within 10 points, 23-13.

But two more Cassidy touchdown passes put the game out of reach and accounted for the final score, 37-13.

While the final stats had the Rams with just an 11-yard advantage in total offense, 366-355, turnovers played a key role in the outcome with two Brown fumbles and two passes intercepted.

Dougherty finished the game with 271 passing yards, completing 22 of 45 passes. Sewall led all receivers with nine catches for 130 yards, while junior Buddy Farnham made seven receptions for 84 yards. Knight rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, senior linebacker Steve Ziogas led both teams with 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops. Senior linebacker Miles Craigwell made seven tackles, while Perkins made six stops to go with his 19-yard interception.

Cassidy had a big day for the Rams with 298 passing yards on 25 of 37 passing and five touchdowns.

The Bears head to Worcester for their second of three straight games on the road, facing Holy Cross on Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m. at Fitton Field.

URI travels to Maryland on Saturday to face Towson in a Colonial Athletic Association matchup. Game time is 3 p.m.

URI

37

Brown

13