Rams defeat Hawks in 7 overtimes to continue win streak
The Rhody defense logged four sacks and two turnovers in a record-breaking victory against Monmouth. PHOTO CREDIT: gorhody.com
Historical marks are always an exciting moment in sports, which made the Rhode Island Football team’s 48-46 victory over Monmouth even more special.
The seven-overtime battle between the two CAA opponents is now the placeholder for the longest game in FCS history. A back-and-forth battle between the two squads saw 1,016 total yards off of a massive 151 offensive snaps.
Rhody quarterback Kasim Hill tossed three interceptions but made up for the turnover bug with four total touchdowns and 352 yards through the air. Marques DeShields added another game to his resume of a stellar year, gaining 256 all-purpose yards and tallying four touchdowns.
Ed Lee led Rhody in receiving yards with 120 off of 4 receptions, one of which was a touchdown. He also had the game-winning two-point conversion to seal the deal in New Jersey.
Monmouth struck out on downs during their first offensive drive, and Rhody did not take long to respond.
Nine out of the first ten plays of Rhode Island’s first were handed off to DeShields, who marched Rhode Island down the field on the ground before receiving his first touchdown of the day by air. URI was up 7-0.
Later in the first quarter, a deep pass to Assanti Kearney set up Monmouth in a key scoring position. However, it was Dymere Miller winding up with the touchdown grab. Monmouth tied the game at 7-7.
Quickly after Monmouth connected in the end zone again, Ugo Obasi took in the touchdown reception to increase the Monmouth lead to 14-7.
Rhode Island then marched right back down the field with a long pass completed to Kahtero Summers and a long run by DeShields. Later in the drive, Hill connected with Ed Lee for the score, tying the game 14-14.
Monmouth did not waste time regaining its lead, though. The next drive saw Jaden Shirden rushing one in, making it 21-14. Shortly after, Hill responded with a rushing touchdown of his own for Rhode Island, knotting it back up at 21-21.
Before time expired on the half, Eric Bernstein connected on a 26-yard field goal to send Monmouth to the locker room with a 24-21 lead.
DeShields ran one in for Rhode Island early in the third quarter to put the Rams up 28-24. However, on the next drive, Bernstein made another field goal, trimming the lead to 28-27.
However, the interceptions from Hill began to sputter out, and Davis Smith caught his first of the day for Monmouth.
The very next drive, after Monmouth missed a field goal, Hill dropped back to pass and fired another pick, this time to Thomas Joe-Kamara. This time Monmouth was sure to convert, a Darrion Carrington receiving touchdown did the trick, and a successful two-point conversion put Monmouth up 35-28.
For Hill, the third time was the charm. After back-to-back interceptions, he found DeShields for a 73-yard passing touchdown. The second-longest reception of the day tied the game at 35-35.
Time expired on regulation and sent the game to its first of many overtimes, where DeShields and Owen Wright traded Touchdown runs.
After two blanks in the following overtime, the game went to alternating two-point conversions until finally, Hill found Lee in the back of the end zone, with Rhode Island winning in historic fashion.
Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan gave props to the 19th-ranked Rams, crediting the two high-powered offenses for the high-scoring affair.
“That is what happens when you have two great offenses,” Callahan said. “Credit to Rhode Island, but there are a lot of emotions over here about losing.”
The win also marked the 50th career victory for head coach Jim Flemming, who raved about his team’s performance following the game.
“Anytime you’re able to go on the road and come out with a tough overtime victory, it says that you’ve got some heart,” Flemming said.
Fleming also commented on DeShield’s performance, revealing that the game was deeper than surface level.
“Marques [DeShields] had a chip on his shoulder,” Flemming said. “He had a scholarship pulled from him at Monmouth, and he wanted to show them he belonged.”
The Rams are back in action this Saturday on the road again when they take on William and Mary.