The University of Rhode Island football team stayed undefeated on Saturday, grinding out a defensive dogfight to defeat the College of the Holy Cross 9-7.
The win marks the first time since 2015 that the Rams have started a season with three straight wins. Rhode Island entered the weekend ranked as high as fifth nationally in the Football Championship Subdivision, while the Crusaders still sought their first win.
Rhode Island put up 31 points in both of its prior games, but for the first time this season, the team was held without a touchdown on Saturday. Despite poorly timed penalties and failing to finish drives, the Rams found a way to win thanks to three field goals.
The first half saw the Rams take a 3-0 lead with their first drive of the game. Across 14 plays, Rhode Island traveled 78 yards before settling for a 28-yard field goal from fifth-year Garth White.
Holy Cross answered five drives later in the second quarter with the game’s only touchdown. An attempted goal-line stand by the Rams fell short, allowing a fourth-down score by third-year running back Jayden Clerveaux, who punched in the one-yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Crusaders.
Another drive for Rhode Island died out in the red zone toward the end of the half. White was once again called on for a 29-yard field goal as the Rams trailed 7-6 at halftime.
The Rams took a chance in the third quarter, going for it on fourth-and-one from 16 yards out. Rhode Island opted for the handoff to second-year Gabe Winowich, who was stopped for a loss, resulting in a turnover on downs.
“I’m extremely mad at myself,” Rhode Island Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “Two weeks in a row, we should have taken the three points.”
In the fourth quarter, Holy Cross led off with a missed 47-yard field goal attempt. The Rams responded with a drive where they thought they found the end zone, but a holding penalty brought back what would have been a 63-yard touchdown for fifth-year running back Antwain Littleton Jr. The holding call was one of 11 penalties called on Rhode Island throughout the game.
“There were so many things that we had that were momentum swings for us that came back because of penalties,” Fleming said. “We’re not operating at full efficiency at all times.”
Rhody’s defense responded by holding the Crusaders to a five-play drive before they punted possession back to the Rams with 5:57 remaining in the fourth.
Fourth-year quarterback Devin Farrell delivered his longest pass of the game, finding fifth-year tight end Connor Finer on a 35-yard pickup to start the go-ahead drive.
Chunk yardage plays built the Rams up the field before White put the finishing touch on yet another Rhode Island comeback victory. A 41-yard field goal split the uprights with 2:23 left to secure the victory over Holy Cross after the Rhody defense made another stand.
“Two tough road games, and we found a way to get it done,” Fleming said. “Extremely proud of the kids, and now we’ve got to get lined up and get ready to play [Long Island University].”
Following the offensive struggles, Rhode Island dropped a spot in both national FCS polls. The team now sits No. 6/7 nationally.
Third-year linebacker Moses Meus was named the Coastal Athletic Association’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. His seven tackles led a defense that allowed just one scoring drive.
URI returns home against LIU for its homecoming game on Saturday at 6 p.m. The nonconference matchup will be broadcast on FloSports and available on the radio on WRIU 90.3 FM and The Varsity Network.
