KINGSTON, R.I. – University of Maine linebacker Vinson Givans had an interesting way of describing what appeared to be a game-winning drive by Rhode Island in Saturday’s football game.

“It was exciting to be put in that position,” Givans said after Maine hung on for a 28-23 victory. “You always see it in the movies and on TV, but you never get to live it.

“They moved the ball on us but our defense wanted it more at the end of the game.”

Maine Coach Jack Cosgrove had a different way of describing Rhode Island’s drive, which began on the Rams’ 22 with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter and ended on the Black Bears’ 1 as time expired: “nerve-racking.”

“That’s the difference between my age and his age,” Cosgrove said. But Cosgrove wasn’t able to exhale until after the final horn sounded.

URI quarterback Steve Probst completed 6 of 9 passes for 68 yards to give the Rams a third-and-goal on Maine’s 1.

After a Rhode Island timeout, Probst rolled left and pitched a one-hopper to Travis Hurd, who was smothered for a loss by Trevor Coston.

Maine’s win was noteworthy if for no other reason than at least six key players were sidelined with injuries.

“We found a way to win today in many different ways,” Cosgrove said. “We called on many different people. We were very, very challenged coming into the game personnel-wise, because guys couldn’t make the trip.

“We asked guys to step up. Two guys that did are sitting here (Givans and running back Terrel Walker), among many others. I think it wasn’t one of those days where you saw us dominate or control any part of the game, but we seemed to be able to do the things when we needed to in order to win.”

Two things the Black Bears did in particular stood out.

Maine (3-5, 2-3 Colonial Athletic Association) led 14-10 late in the third when Walker, a freshman who’s seen sporadic action this season, burst through a hole and dashed untouched 86 yards for his first touchdown.

“That was well blocked,” Cosgrove said. “He hit the seam and I think after one line-of-scrimmage cut, he was gone. That’s an indication of a well-blocked play.”

According to Walker, it also was a basic play as opposed to one Cosgrove keeps in his bag of tricks.

“It was just an inside zone,” Walker said. “Everything went right on that play. I saw green, so I ran fast.”

One other play that stood out came early in the fourth quarter with Maine leading 21-17.

The Rams (2-5, 1-3) were on their 30 after a Maine punt when they ran an option pass by wide receiver Anthony Baskerville off a reverse. But Givans intercepted the pass and returned it 33 yards to the Rhode Island 2.

Pushaun Brown then scored and Maine led 28-17.

“I saw the reverse and then I saw (running back Anthony Ferrer, the intended receiver) running,” Givans said. “I kept fading back. I saw (Baskerville) stop and throw the ball. I accelerated and got the pick.”

Maine bounced back in the second quarter after URI grabbed an early 7-0 lead.

First, Warren Smith threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Brown; then Smith dove into the end zone from the 3 to give Maine a 14-7 halftime lead.

“Give URI credit,” Cosgrove said. “They played very well on defense. Except for the big play by (Walker) and the short field (Givans) gave us, I don’t know if we’re sitting here with a win.”