Recap and Live Reactions to Central Michigan vs. URI
Since it has been an extremely long time since I have watched a URI football game, I decided to record a good bunch of my notes, thoughts, and reactions in their opening game at Central Michigan.
1st Quarter:
URI does not know how to run a bubble screen. The point of the screen is to use your blockers to go forward and not run INTO the defenders trying to tackle you. The first two bubble screens have looked awful and resulted in little to no gain.
(As I tweeted) Central Michigan's QB, Shane Morris, throws like a grandma. His throwing motion would only make Tim Tebow proud.
Midway through the first quarter, the Rams defense is doing really well against the zone read.
A very nice, athletic, and unexpected interception by Myles Ross
Harold Cooper has been running well all night, exactly what everyone expects.
With 1:23 left, URI's passing game and protection looks horrendous. Tyler Harris just got drilled by an untouched defensive end.
Besides Central Michigan's huge pass play to end the quarter, URI's defense is showing improvement.
2nd Quarter:
I'm surprised that this game is scoreless to start the second quarter. Very surprised
URI's front 7 is not allowing themselves to be pushed around.
Solid defensive stop by the Rams in the red zone early in the quarter
3-0 early for the Chippewas, I'm still interested in watching this game
If URI can find some offense, they can pull off this massive upset (13:16 remaining in the quarter)
60-yard kickoff return by Harold Cooper, this kid is a beast!
A triple option run for a loss and then a Tyler Harris interception... here we go again... back to the old ways
That throw by Tyler Harris was atrocious, absolutely zero power behind the throw
Tyler Harris is failing to impress
Central Michigan's wide receivers are running free, luckily Morris has zero accuracy
Shane Morris just hurdled over a URI defender, that is embarrassing
I think Central Michigan smells blood in the water with just over 9 minutes left and the Chippewas in the red zone again
An easy, wide open touchdown is thrown by Morris - I don't know what kind of coverage was intended but it didn't work.
URI needs to at least keep this game close until the very end.
FINALLY, a good back shoulder fade thrown by Harris to Aaron Parker
A lucky defensive pass interference drawn on Central Michigan but that was another underwhelming throw by Tyler Harris
Another wasted timeout by URI, the second of the first half
Terrible clock management, I hate to see it
Great catch by Aaron Parker... out of bounds, I have no idea why he just taunted the Central Michigan student section. URI is down 10-0.
URI misses a 29-yard field goal. That looked like Blair Walsh's shank in the 2016 playoffs
I might be over this game (5:53 remaining)
I did not think that URI's defense would outperform their offense but that is exactly what I am seeing during the first half of this game.
Central Michigan is going for a 4th & 2 from their own 43-yard line. They do not respect the Rams at all.
Chippewas convert the fourth down because the Rams CB was too busy staring into the sky.
If only URI could cover as well as they have been tackling all night
A lucky drop by Willis, URI is allowing too much open space for CMU's WRs
13-0 CMU with 2:24 remaining
Nice roll out by Tyler Harris and a decent throw to Aaron Parker but no completion and URI punts AGAIN.
At least I can laugh at the blowout that appears to be incoming...
I don't know if I'm going to watch the second half of this game.
3rd Quarter:
After a lucky roughing the punter penalty on CMU, Isaiah Coulter catches a 56-yard TD with 2:13 left (successful bubble screen)
Isaiah Hill with a near pick six with 2:02 left, URI DEFENSE DIGGING IN
4th Quarter:
13:59 left in 4th quarter - #21 Myles Ross gets juked out of his shoes by Jonathan Ward for another big run. Also, the 2 pt catch was wide open in the flat, CMU 21-7
As soon as we all started believing...
Another trash, underthrown pick with 13:45 left... this game is over
80-yard strike to Marven Beauvais, 21-14 CMU with just over 12 minutes left. Should've fed him all game like I said before the game ever started
Lucky botched snap on 2nd and 3. Another key stop by the defense, offense needs to clutch up again. Under 10 to go
Another insanely good punt by Sheldon from CMU
URI's TE trucked the crap out of someone for a first down.
Cooper almost choked the game with a fumble but recovered.
Incomplete pass on another bubble screen, shaking my head
Lucky PI on tangled feet with 7:47 left.
5th pick on an unnecessary throw towards the end zone, underthrown for the fifth time. Parker couldn't even go for the catch, had to try to swat the pick away.
Big sack on 3rd down by URI, with just over 6 minutes left.
Terrible punt by Sheldon bounces back to CMU's own 30. Hear clearly on the sidelines - LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO
First perfect PA pass by Harris and off Denny's one hand for the TD
Bad block on the bubble screen again
Pass tipped off Parker's hand for the 6th INT of the night, unbelievable
Strip on Morris and Tez Wilsonrecovers inside of the CMU 20 with 3:03 left
No blocks on first run, Cooper comes up gimpy. Got to block better.
Another pass off of Marven's hands, almost pick #7
Perfect pass to Aaron Parker to tie it on 3rd down! Tie game!
Isaiah Hill almost with a huge pick with 2:13 left on first and down.
Huge pressure and sack by Mike Ezirkie with 1:58 left. Time to clutch up and win it!
URI starts drive at CMU's 49, under 2:00 to go. Clock running... where are the pass plays???? Way too conservative play calling. Incomplete on third down with a wide open Denny. Have to punt with 25 seconds left
Time for OT...
Overtime 1:
Two terrible, conservative run plays and one pass into a double team for Marv. Nice kick for 3 on a 42-yard field goal for the Rams.
Ward goes off running all OT.
A snap over Morris' head and he still scoops and gets the completion. URI D is out of gas.
Big run stop on 3rd down.
Tied at 24, on to double OT.
Overtime 2:
Wide open pass at the 5, bad throw. Lucky for URI again.
Morris loses the snap AGAIN, URI RECOVERS.
Another gross shank by URI kicker, C.J. Carrick
Overtime 3:
Some runs, slants, and then an easy FG for URI.
Big runs by Ward and Devon Spalding to start
Spalding ends it with a game-winning TD for Central Michigan after review.
HEARTBREAK, LOST MY VOICE
Losers of the game for URI: Tyler Harris and his 6 ints, C.J. Carrick and his 2 shanks, and whoever kept calling conservative offensive plays at the end of regulation and in all of the overtimes
I will see all of the Rhode Island faithful at their home opener vs. Stony Brook at Meade Stadium. Let's all hope that the Rams come out on top in that game.
