The University of Rhode Island football team set a new program record with its 13th consecutive win at home in a 38-17 victory against Ocean State rival Bryant University on Saturday.
“The 13th straight [win] at home is a credit to the fanbase,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “It’s a tremendous place to play and [we] appreciate the support as we go out to play.”
First-drive woes continued for the Rams as fourth-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan got the ball stripped from him after catching a 50-yard bomb from fourth-year quarterback Devin Farrell, and Bryant recovered the fumble. This marked the third time in four games that the Rams’ first drive ended in either a turnover or three-and-out.
Bryant capitalized on the turnover as it drove 79 yards down the field. Bryant third-year tight end Koby Keenan caught an 11-yard touchdown, the first of his career, to end the drive with a 7-0 lead for the Bulldogs.
Rhody second-year running back Gabe Winowich, starting in place of fifth-year running back Antwain Littleton Jr., who was ruled out pregame with an arm injury, answered with his first career touchdown two drives later to tie the score at 7-7. Winowich’s 51-yard touchdown was the longest rush of his career.
“When that run happens, maybe I’m the one with the ball, but that’s something that represents the [running back] room,” Winowich said. “A lot of the guys are making that run because of the preparation that we have throughout the week.”
On the ensuing kickoff, Rhody fifth-year kicker Garth White placed his kick right in front of a Bryant returner. The football then took a favorable bounce for the Rams as they were able to recover the kick and start their drive just outside the red zone. Two plays later, Winowich scored his second touchdown as URI went from a 7-0 deficit to a 14-7 lead in less than a minute.
On the next drive, Bryant third-year quarterback Jaden Keefner threw a 20-yard pass to fifth-year running back Elijah Elliott, who dipped, ducked, dove and dodged multiple URI defenders to add 39 yards after the catch and place the Bulldogs at URI’s 12-yard line. Despite the favorable field position, Bryant was only able to muster up a field goal to cut the lead to 14-10 after being stopped three straight times.
URI looked to extend its lead to multiple scores, but Farrell was intercepted on the goal line to give the Bulldogs the ball. Bryant then drove 80 yards in 11 plays to retake the lead, 17-14, in a 14-point swing for the Bulldogs.
Rhody immediately answered on the next drive with Farrell hitting fifth-year tight end Kevin Schaeffer for a 27-yard touchdown with less than two minutes left in the first half. Rhody then got the ball back with 56 seconds left and was able to drive down the field to set up White for a 54-yard field goal attempt. With some help from the wind, White’s attempt was good and gave URI a 24-17 lead heading into halftime.
White’s field goal broke the school record for longest made field goal. The previous record was a 51-yard field goal by Colin Gallagher on Sept. 3, 2005. White’s kick was also the second longest in the Coastal Athletic Association this season and the seventh longest in CAA history.
“Every time I step out there, I’m confident that I can make any kick that [Fleming] has confidence to send me out there [for],” White said about his record-breaking kick.
The second half was much quieter in terms of scoring than the first half. The only touchdown of the third quarter was a 38-yard touchdown pass from Farrell to fourth-year wide receiver Greg Gaines III. This gave URI its first multiple-score lead of the game.
The next score wouldn’t come until the fourth quarter when URI fifth-year cornerback Ayinde Johnson scored a 24-yard interception return touchdown. Johnson jumped in front of the out route run by Bryant fifth-year wide receiver, Todd Phillips, and tiptoed down the sideline to get the score and secure the 38-17 Rhody victory.
Bryant’s second-half offense was completely stymied as they punted twice, suffered two turnovers on downs, were intercepted twice and held scoreless on all six of their drives in the second half.
Following its bye week, URI will return to action on Nov. 8 when it travels to Elon, North Carolina, to take on Elon University. The game will be streamed on FloCollege and can be listened to on The Varsity Network at 2 p.m.
