By Joel Perez-
On Saturday, The University of Rhode Island Rams (10-2) faced off against the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils (7-5) at Meade Stadium for the first round of the NCAA Division 1 FCS conference playoffs.
The Rams enter this game on a two game win streak, with their last win being over the Bryant University Bulldogs with a final score of 35-21.
On the other side of the ball, the Blue Devils are on a four game win streak with their last win being over the Duquesne University Dukes with a final score of 21-14.
Both teams are looking to compete and play, but only one can come out on top.
Deep into the first quarter, Hunter Helms throws a 38 yard pass that is caught by Tommy Smith for a touchdown giving the Rams a 7-0 lead after the point after is completed with 2:31 left in the first quarter.
On the next possession, quarterback Brady Olsen throws an interception that is caught by Emmanuel Gomes who takes it back to score another Rams touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0 with 2:17 left in the first quarter.
To start off the second quarter, the Blue Devils return with a touchdown of their own as
Olsen throws a 11 yard pass to Isaac Boston for a touchdown to now make the score 14-7 with 7:25 remaining in the second quarter.
After the end of the first half, the score stays still with the Rams still being up 14-7.
With the third quarter more than halfway through, Olsen finds Boston again with a six yard pass to score a touchdown, this would be Bostons’ second touchdown of the game and it ties the game at 14-14 with 1:27 left in the third quarter. This would be it for the third quarter, now leading into the fourth and final quarter.
To kickoff the fourth quarter, Helms hands the ball off to Smith for a 6 yard rushing touchdown, this is now Smiths’ second touchdown, and the game is now 21-14 with the Rams up with 9:42 left in the fourth.
The Blue Devils would make their way down the field but be stopped at the 14 yard line where they would settle with a field goal to make the score 21-17 with 4:47 left in the fourth.
By the two minute warning, it was clear that the Rams were trying to just burn the clock, as they were still up 21-17 with them having the lead, there was no rush to score as long as they did not turn the ball over.
With one more chance to go the Blue Devils take the field in pursuit to score, but fail as Olsens pass is tipped and then intercepted.
The final score was 21-17 with the Rams winning and advancing to the second round.
This win meant a lot to them, being more than just a football team but a family, Smith post game said “We have a strong relationship together and we’ve been building that since the winter and the summer, We’ve been able through the trials and tribulations been able to lean on each other and grow and that is something we will continue to do.”
They will take on Mercer University in Georgia, December 7th at 2:00 PM EST.