Through four games, the University of Rhode Island football team sits at 4-0, with quarterback Kasim Hill being at the center of their success. As a matter of fact, for a second straight game, Hill has been named the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week… and rightfully so.
Kasim Hill Displayed the “It” Factor on Saturday
This past weekend, Rhode Island found themselves in a tight contest at home on parents/alumni weekend against Stony Brook. Entering the fourth quarter, the Rams found themselves tied 13-13 with a 1-3 Seawolves team. While the underwhelming performance of the team over the first three quarters does not entirely fall onto him, his inconsistent ball placement early on certainly did not help. Entering the fourth quarter, Hill had thrown for 92 yards on 11 of 24 passes. At that point, it seemed like URI would lose their first game of the season.
And that’s when Hill decided to play his best two quarters of his season.
Between the fourth quarter and overtime alone, Hill had 10 completions for 134-yards, including a game-winning 27-yard touchdown strike to tight end Caleb Warren. He showed poise, confidence, and the playmaking ability necessary to lead the Rams to their best season in years.
Kasim Hill’s Breakout
This past spring, former Maryland quarterback Kasim Hill made his debut for the Rams. Across three games, he completed 57.1% of passes for 389 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. While Hill’s play was not jaw-dropping, it was enough for URI to rank 21st over three games before a COVID-19 outbreak ended their season prematurely.
Now, Hill is playing the best football of his collegiate career. The 6’2” and 234-pound redshirt junior has six touchdown passes to just one interception so far in 2021. Hill has totaled 1,130 yards from scrimmage, and his completion percentage is up two points. He has even added another three touchdowns on the ground, including an eight-yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter.
Four games may be a small sample size in the grand scheme of things. Nevertheless, with Kasim Hill playing at an elite level to start the 2021 season, it is becoming difficult to ignore his role in the Rams’ historic start this season.
URI’s Historic Start
For the first time since 2001, the Rams have started the year 4-0. According to Stats Perform FCS Top 25, the Rams are ranked 18th – tying their highest ranking from this spring. Should the Rams continue to dominate this weekend against Delaware (3-1), the Rams could rise to their highest ranking since 1985, when they rank
