It was only a matter of time before the University of Rhode Island football team lost its first Coastal Athletic Association game of the season, and for the Rams that loss came on Saturday to the University of Delaware, 24-21.
The contest left fans with a series of “what if?” questions: “What if that ball was caught,” “what if that hold wasn’t called,” and “what if the Rams stopped Delaware on third down?”
The biggest “what if” for the Rams came on Delaware’s last true offensive drive of the game, when the Fightin’ Blue Hens were backed up to their own one-yard line on 2nd and 16. The Hens picked up 17 yards on their next two plays and converted, giving the Rams 59 seconds to drive down the field to tie.
The lack of time for Rhode Island sent the Rams into scramble mode, resulting in fifth-year quarterback Hunter Helms throwing the game sealing interception to second-year linebacker Gavin Moul.
“When you come down to Delaware, you have to be able to hit on all cylinders,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “I thought we left a lot of football out there.”
Helms stepped into the game for third-year Devin Farrell after the starting quarterback was sacked on the second drive of the game, resulting in the backup taking snaps for the rest of the contest. The Rams then took a more conservative rushing approach to their offense for a majority of the game.
Although Helms threw 23 passes throughout the game, he attempted just three passes before halftime. Helms had 13 of his final tally coming in the fourth quarter when URI Offensive Coordinator Patrick Murphy opened the playbook.
Helms had not played in a game since Oct. 5 at Hampton University, and his next man up mentality gave the Rams a chance on Saturday, according to Fleming.
“When their numbers are called you have to step up and be ready to go,” Fleming said. “Obviously it’s unfortunate when you lose some people, but at this same time it is good to see guys step up and take advantage of their opportunities and contribute to a very competitive game that we just didn’t come out on the right end of.”
Although the Rams committed the last turnover of the game, they beat Delaware on the turnover battle, with Delaware’s second-year quarterback Nick Minicucci fumbling twice in the first quarter for both of the Hens’ giveaways.
The Rams used those two fumbles to score their first 14 points of the contest. A touchdown from third-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan stemmed from the first takeaway, and fourth-year linebacker Devin Hightower took back the second one for a touchdown on his own.
Rhody was also able to utilize third-year wide receiver Greg Gaines to reach the end zone with just over six minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, several dropped passes in the second half overshadowed the offensive positives, as the Rams fell just short in the end.
Rhode Island returns home this Saturday to take on the University at Albany for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on FloSports, with radio calls available on the Varsity Network and WRIU 90.3 FM.