PROVIDENCE — Leave it to Tyler Rowley, the third of the Rowley brothers of Narragansett to play football for Brown, to strip the emotion and the hype from the URI-Brown game and explain what the 92nd meeting of the Rams and Bears tomorrow is all about.

“My dad (James) went to URI, and I grew up in Narragansett, but as far as what bearing that has on this game, it doesn’t,” he said yesterday as players, coaches and administrators from both teams gathered at Brown, shared sandwiches, chips and chocolate chip cookies before the annual Governor’s Cup battle tomorrow at Brown Stadium.

How’s that? A native Rhode Islander playing for Brown not excited about banging heads with URI?

“Our goal is to win the Ivy League championship. This is a game to help us win the Ivy League championship, and that’s what it’s about,” he said.

The backup fullback has a point. The outcome of this game will not affect the Ivy League or Colonial Athletic Association standings, but it will affect the psyche of two teams coming off disappointing losses.

Brown (1-1, 0-1 Ivy League) dropped a hard-hitting 24-17 decision at Harvard last Saturday night, and URI (0-4, 0-2 CAA) squandered a 24-7 halftime lead and lost to No. 15 Hofstra, 37-24.

Rowley pointed to the last two seasons in underscoring the importance of the URI game in Brown’s title picture.

“In 2005 we lost to Harvard and won our next two. . . . We beat URI and Fordham and then won six in a row, and we have a big, fat ring that says 9-1,” he said. “In 2006 we lost to URI (and Fordham), and it’s different going to practice when you’re 3-1 or 1-3.”

Last year, the Bears did not get big, fat rings that say 3-7.

Rowley added that “it’s an honor to put on the helmet and play football for Brown” regardless of the opponent and that he gives his all no matter who is on the other side of the line.

Linebacker and tri-captain Eric Brewer agreed.

“We want to get back on track to winning. We know we’re capable of beating any team on our schedule,” he said.

Guard A.J. Tracy, another tri-captain, said he is approaching the URI game with the same intensity he did Harvard.

“I want to win every single game. URI is another opponent to beat,” he said.

The Rams have lost six in a row going back to the last two games of 2006 and need a victory to restore their confidence.

“This is big. We need this one,” said offensive tackle Mark Stolte. “It’s time to get this team back on track. We’re 0-4 and I don’t think we’re showing our potential.” The winner will go home with the Governor’s Cup, a silver trophy presented to the victorious team since 1981.

Brown will be without tailback Dereck Knight (Pawtucket/Shea) for the rest of the season. He received the bad news Wednesday that he tore a tendon in his left big toe on his first carry from scrimmage in the Harvard game. He returned for a few plays in the second quarter but then went to the sideline for good.

Knight said he will have surgery in the next two weeks. Coach Phil Estes will talk to him at some point about the possibility of applying to the Ivy League for a medical waiver so he can play next season if he so chooses. Knight, a senior, gained 208 yards against Duquesne in the season-opener. Junior Jonathan Edwards will start tomorrow.

URI has a bunch of injured players, but one question mark after the Hofstra game is better.

“If you play college football, you’re definitely going to have nicks and dings,” said quarterback Derek Cassidy, who sprained his ankle on a run and did not practice early this week. “I had two positive days in practice and am definitely ready to go.”

mszostak@projo.com