The University of Rhode Island football team remained undefeated in Football Championship Subdivision play with a chaotic, back-and-forth 28-21 win on the road over Long Island University on Saturday.
Coming in with momentum from their 21-9 win over Campbell University the week prior, URI got off to a dream start at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium. After forcing a three and out, the Rams stormed down the field in less than two minutes and sixth-year running back Malik Grant capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to give the Rams an early 7-0 lead.
The Sharks, however, responded with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to take their first lead of the game. Third-year quarterback Luca Stanzani accounted for both touchdowns in the quarter, connecting with fifth-year Ludovic Choquette for a 27-yard touchdown then running it in himself for a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the half.
Aside from their success on the opening drive, the offense for the Rams struggled to get anything going in the remainder of the first half. Things became so dire that, in search of a spark, they made a change at quarterback with fourth-year Hunter Helms replacing third-year Devin Farrell with 13:46 left in the third quarter.
Even with the change, the results stayed very similar throughout the third quarter as URI was only able to muster one first down in the entire quarter. Throughout the first three quarters, LIU held a significant advantage in time of possession, 32:43-12:17, and total yards, 259-137.
“Great credit to LIU,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said postgame. “Keeping those kids together at 0-3 with tough losses coming in.”
Despite the fact that it felt like the Sharks were in control, the Rams defense once again kept them in the game with a defensive stop late in the third quarter. LIU had four chances to get just five yards and take a two possession lead, however on fourth and goal from the one-yard line Choquette was unable to punch it in and the score remained 14-7.
“Those are critical stops, obviously, taking points off the board,” Fleming said. “It’s demoralizing for an [opposing] offense.”
The fourth quarter is when chaos really started to ensue and URI began to find their offense. Grant stepped up for the Rams with 45 total yards in the span of four plays, capped off by throwing multiple defenders off his back during an 11-yard touchdown run. The score tied the game at 14 with 11:35 left.
“We ended up finding our magic sauce running the ball with our backs, getting them downfield,” Fleming said. “You saw some motivational plays, offensively, with guys running really, really hard.”
LIU struck back immediately when Stanzani connected with fourth-year wide receiver Michael Love over the middle and Love broke multiple tackles on his way to a 42-yard touchdown.
The Rams marched down the field on their next drive and appeared poised to tie the game once again. However, at the five-yard line, the Sharks forced a crucial turnover on a fumble by fourth-year running back Deon Silas with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
On the very next play, URI came back with a defensive play of their own from fifth-year linebacker Cole Brockwell as he jumped on a fumble to set the Rams up in perfect position. This was a highlight of Brockwell’s day that included 14 tackles.
Two plays after the LIU fumble, Helms ran it in for a four-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21. Then, after a three and out by the Sharks, it was Grant who again dominated on the ground with 47 yards on the drive and ran in the endzone untouched from eight yards out to give the Rams their first lead since being up 7-0 early in the second quarter.
LIU had one final chance to drive it down the field with 1:08 left, however a final Hail Mary attempt from the 35-yard line fell incomplete. URI came away with a come-from- behind 28-21 victory and snapped a three game road losing streak dating back to last season.
“We won, we found a way to do it,” Fleming said. “We made critical plays down the stretch and the defense found a way to keep them out of the endzone on that last drive.”
The Rams will now have a bye week to regroup and ponder important decisions on both sides of the ball, including what they’ll do when it comes to who to start at quarterback.
“We got a chance to adjust all three schemes, offense, defense and special teams,” Fleming said. “We’ll figure out what our best format is going forward.”
Following the bye week, URI will stay on the road to play their second conference game of the season against Hampton University at 2 p.m. on Oct. 5. The game can be streamed on FloSports.