The University of Rhode Island had its six-game winning streak against Brown University snapped on Friday when four turnovers plagued the Rams during a 28-21 loss in the 43rd edition of the Governor’s Cup.
The rivalry matchup was held at Centerville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which marked the first time that an American football game was played at the location. The contest served as a preview for Rhody games next year, as the Rams will be playing all of their 2026 home games at Centerville Bank Stadium due to renovations happening at Meade Stadium.
“I think [Centerville Bank Stadium] is an incredible venue,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “It gives us the opportunity to expand our footprint up to the people in the northern part of the state that feel like it’s a day trip to get down to South County for a football game.”
As for the action on the field, Brown got an instant spark of momentum when URI fourth-year quarterback Devin Farrell was pressured and threw a pass into the hands of fourth-year defensive back Elias Archie for an interception. Just two plays after the interception, Brown second-year running back Matt Childs bounced a run out to the left and coasted into the end zone to give the Bears a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.
The Rams responded to the score thanks to the connection between Farrell and fourth-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan, who had a 14-yard catch on the ensuing drive to set URI up in the red zone. After a roughing the passer penalty on third down gave Rhody a first-and-goal, Farrell found Buchanan for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The early shootout continued when Brown marched down the field on its next drive, with the help of two conversions on fourth down. The 15-play, 75-yard drive was capped off by fourth-year receiver Ty Pezza making a catch over a URI defender for an 18-yard touchdown to put the Bears ahead 14-7.
Both sides kept trading blows in the second quarter, with Farrell finding fifth-year receiver Omari Walker open down the sidelines for a 30-yard touchdown to make it 14-14 before Brown retook the lead on Childs’ second rushing touchdown of the day. The Bears entered the locker room holding on to a 21-14 advantage, as the teams combined for 24 first downs across the first half.
Rhode Island appeared on the verge of tying the game up in the third quarter when Farrell connected with fourth-year Greg Gaines III near the end zone. However, as Gaines III tried to extend the ball over the goal line, it was punched out of his hands by Archie and went out of bounds, resulting in a touchback and URI’s second turnover of the day.
“I think that you [should] keep it in possession, and you try to get your body across with physicality and keep the ball high and tight,” Fleming said. “Sadly, you have to learn from those kinds of mistakes, and we certainly will.”
The Bears took advantage of the turnover with an eight-yard touchdown pass from third-year quarterback James Murphy to fourth-year Solomon Miller to complete a 17-play, 80-yard drive.
Brown missed a short field goal attempt from 24 yards early in the fourth quarter to keep URI within two possessions, but a fumble by Buchanan on the following drive gave the ball right back to the Bears. After forcing a three-and-out, Rhody was able to chip into Brown’s lead when fifth-year Matt Smith caught his first touchdown of the year to make it 28-21 with 4:11 left.
The comeback effort ultimately came up short, as Brown secured the 28-21 victory by forcing one final turnover when third-year Miles Brophy intercepted Farrell with 37 seconds left. The Rams gained 452 total yards on the night, compared to 341 for the Bears, but their four turnovers were the difference makers.
“Had we not made the mistakes, this might be a shoe on the other foot; it might be number seven [in a row],” Fleming said. “We didn’t play well enough to bring that home. I’m sad for our kids, I’m sad for our coaching staff, I’m sad for our fans and I’m sad for everybody who takes great pride in the University of Rhode Island.”
The defeat drops the Rams to 4-2 on the season and gives them back-to-back losses after falling 47-14 to Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Western Michigan University in the week prior. This marks the first time since October 2023 that URI has lost consecutive games.
“We have some issues that we have to contend with,” Fleming said. “We’ve made the same kind of mistakes two weeks in a row.”
URI will look to get back on track when it returns to Meade Stadium with a matchup against the University of New Hampshire at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on FloSports, with radio broadcasts available on WRIU 90.3 FM and The Varsity Network.
