The University of Rhode Island football team showcased a high-scoring victory over in-state foe Bryant University at Meade Stadium on Saturday, a 49-26 final to please the fans in attendance on family weekend.
Rhode Island was disgruntled with a poor performance against Villanova in week four when they only scored a season-low nine points, and they made sure that didn’t happen this week. On the very first play, seventh-year quarterback Kasim Hill launched a pass down the middle of the field and connected with second-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan for a 39-yard gain.
“We knew coming in that we needed to get started early against [Bryant],” said Buchanan. “So Kasim put his faith in me and I just went up and grabbed it.”
Two plays later, Hill went back to the air and found sixth-year receiver Kahtero Summers on the right side for a gain of 23 yards, placing Rhode Island at the four-yard line of Bryant. Two plays after that, it was fifth-year running back Gabe Sloat that found the endzone on a one-yard run to put Rhode Island up 7-0.
Bryant did not take long to respond, only running six plays featuring a 43-yard reception by fifth-year Matthew Prochaska, before finding the endzone with a 14-yard touchdown catch by fourth-year Konor Lathrop, tying the game 7-7.
Bryant forced a Rhode Island punt and did not waste the opportunity once they got the ball back. The Bulldogs methodically marched downfield on a 14-play drive, finalized by a two-yard touchdown rush from fourth-year Ryan Clark. However, fifth-year Ram Jasyn Andrews got a hand on the extra point and denied the attempt, as the score stood at 13-7 for Bryant.
The second quarter saw Bryant march down the field once again, with an attempt to increase their lead reaching the Rhode Island 12-yard line. However, on a fourth and one conversion the Rams held strong, and took over possession.
“Any time you make a fourth down stop it’s a big momentum swing,” said URI head coach Jim Fleming. “I think [the stop] did help us out… we made some big plays after that, it was hugely beneficial.”
The plays to follow were certainly big ones. On the third play of the drive, Hill connected with sixth-year John Erby over the middle for 41 yards. However, an unnecessary roughness penalty on Rhode Island moved it back 15 yards. On the very next play though, Hill went right back to what worked before, a nearly identical strike back to Erby, who took it all 57 yards to the end zone as Rhode Island took the lead 14-13.
Bryant then went on a poor offensive stretch, going eight drives failing to gain a first down without a penalty. In that stretch, Rhode Island’s offense took advantage of their assortment of opportunities by creating a large lead.
Rhode Island had two touchdowns before halftime – a five-yard rushing touchdown on a read-option allowed Hill to take it in on his own and increase the lead to 21-13. The next drive, Hill placed a ball in the back shoulder of sixth-year Darius Savedge, allowing him to make a one handed catch for a 24-yard touchdown, increasing the Rhode Island lead to 28-13.
“We’ve got a pretty good competition in the [locker] room for catch of the year,” Fleming said when asked about Savedge’s snag. ”That was spectacular.”
The second half started in a stalemate, with five drives coming and going without a point placed on the scoreboard. However, an interception from second-year Syeed Gibbs gave Rhode Island promising field position at the Bryant one-yard line. It took three plays to gain the final yard, but sixth-year Ja’Den McKenzie found the endzone on a one-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Ram lead to 35-13.
The fourth quarter opened up with Bryant getting a break of their own, as fourth-year Dontae Lunan blocked a punt and fourth-year Lake Ellis scooped it up before running it 34 yards back for a touchdown. The two point conversion failed and Rhode Island’s lead was cut to 35-19.
The Rams responded with a methodical 15-play drive in which Summers caught a quick four-yard touchdown from Hill to move the lead to 42-19. The Rams then forced a subsequent three-and-out and gained possession back. Rhode Island’s backups then relieved the starters and struck as quick as they could.
The drive’s debut play was one of firsts – second-year quarterback Devin Farrell slung his first career touchdown pass to fourth-year Jig Williams for his first career touchdown reception, which doubled for his first career catch. Rhode Island’s advantage grew to 49-19.
Bryant was able to find the endzone one more time late in the fourth quarter; Prochaska caught a three-yard pass from second-year Ridge Docekal cutting the Rhode Island lead to 49-26, which ended up as the final score.
The Rams are back in action this Saturday when they stay in the Ocean State, but go on the road north to Providence for the Governor’s Cup against Brown. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on FloSports.com.