VILLANOVA, Pa. — The University of Rhode Island managed only 151 yards of total offense and was routed, 36-7, by Villanova on Saturday.

It rained heavily for much of the game as URI dropped to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the CAA.

URI quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne went 15-for-33 for 121 yards through the air. He also threw his fourth touchdown pass of the season.

Defensively, Rams senior Steve Weedon led the way with a career-high 14 tackles. He also registered a sack and one tackle for a loss.

URI forced three fumbles and recovered two of them. Rhody has forced 15 fumbles and recovered 11 this season.

Rhody’s score came in the third quarter as sophomore wide receiver Ty Bynum hauled in a seven-yard TD pass on a fade route from Paul-Etienne, which cut the Villanova lead to 21-7 with just under six minutes remaining in the period. Junior linebacker Dan O’Connell had set up the Rams’ scoring drive by recovering a fumble forced by Weedon. Paul-Etienne then directed the Rams 46 yards in nine plays for the touchdown.

The Wildcats came right back on their next series as they put together a seven-play, 80-yard drive, which put Villanova up, 28-7.

In the fourth quarter, Villanova was on the move again and was threatening to go up by 28 points as it had a first down at the Rhody 15-yard line. However, the Rams stopped the Wildcats’ drive as junior linebacker Joe Harris forced Rhody’s third fumble of the game, which fellow junior Rob Damon returned 45 yards to the Villanova 40-yard line.

Following the turnover, Rhody moved the ball to the Villanova 20 but was unable to reach the end zone.

Villanova opened the scoring in the first quarter as running back Matt Szczur leaped into the end zone from a yard out, which capped an 11-play, 82-yard drive that spanned nearly six minutes.

The Wildcats found the end zone twice in the second quarter to increase its lead to 21-0.

Rhody was held scoreless in the first half for just the second time this season.

Villanova outgained URI, 228-60, in the opening half.

URI returns to action next Saturday, when it will take on William & Mary at Meade Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.