After a season to forget in 2012, the football team at the University of Rhode Island has done an admirable job in getting off the canvas this fall, thanks in no small part to a pair of Warwick natives.

Warwick Vets alum Bob Bentsen is in the midst of his second full season as the Rams’ starting quarterback and has been effective under center.

So far in 2013, the former Hurricane has completed 137 passes for 1,301 yards and six touchdowns. While his passing numbers aren’t quite as gaudy as expected in this day and age of air-it-out football, Bentsen has emerged as a key part of Rhody’s ground game.

His 358 rushing yards are good for second on the team, while his 39-yard scamper early in the final quarter in Saturday’s contest against Richmond helped set the table for the decisive field goal that put URI over the top in their 12-10 triumph over the Spiders.

On the other side of the ball, former Toll Gate standout Doug Johnson is making the most of the extra year of eligibility that he was granted after an injury-shortened 2012 campaign.

The senior linebacker has notched 44 tackles along with a pair of interceptions, making him the only Ram defender to pick off more than one pass so far this season.

In last Saturday’s contest against Richmond, Johnson made five tackles and broke up a third-down pass midway through the fourth quarter, forcing the Spiders to punt.

The victory takes URI to 3-5 on the season, with the Rams’ next game coming this upcoming Saturday at home against Delaware, who is fresh off a bye week and will be well-rested for its date against the Rhody eleven.

Garvey wins battle of Warwick grads

Warwick Vets graduate Lindsey Garvey and Pilgrim alumna Briana Tomaselli locked horns on the soccer pitch last Saturday, with Garvey’s Emmanuel defeating Tomaselli’s Mount Ida 4-0.

Garvey stayed off the score sheet, but managed to fire six shots for the Saints, while Tomaselli had a pair of shots for the under-manned Mustangs.

Although their recent meeting failed to yield any goals amongst themselves, both Garvey and Tomaselli have had little problem finding the back of the net this season.

Garvey has scored seven goals for 8-7-2 Emmanuel, including two in the Saints’ 5-0 shutout of Anna Maria on October 14.

The ex-Hurricane has also chipped in with a pair of assists, most recently setting up the only Emmanuel goal in its 3-1 loss to Saint Joseph’s of Maine on Oct. 12.

While Garvey and Emmanuel are looking forward to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament, Tomaselli has experienced a season of struggle for Mount Ida, who has lost its last four matches by a combined score of 22-7.

Although things have not gone all that well for the Mustangs, Tomaselli leads Mount Ida with nine goals and was in the midst of a five-game goal-scoring streak until the run was snapped when the final horn was blown at the end of the Emmanuel match.

In addition, Tomaselli has three assists to her name, thus having a hand in 60 percent of Mount Ida’s goals to date.