By Tiffany Williams –
Rhode Island overcame adversity and a slow start to steamroll Stony Brook 31-17 on Saturday night, rallying after a two-hour-and-45-minute weather delay and a 10-point first-quarter deficit. The Rams (2-0, 2-0 CAA Football) leaned on a balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense to take control in the second quarter and never looked back.
After a Stony Brook special teams miscue gave the Seawolves an early touchdown, Rhode Island found itself trailing 10-0 late in the first quarter. The second quarter, however, belonged entirely to the Rams, who scored 24 unanswered points to seize momentum. Quarterback Devin Farrell connected with Marquis Buchanan on a 12-yard touchdown to pull URI within 10-7, then linebacker Leisaan Hibbert intercepted a screen pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams their first lead at 14-10. A 35-yard field goal from Garth White extended the lead to 17-10, and Farrell capped the half with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Antwain Littleton, Jr., completing an 84-yard drive in just 46 seconds to make it 24-10 at the break.
The Rams controlled the second half, allowing Stony Brook a brief touchdown early in the fourth quarter but icing the win with Littleton, Jr.’s 15-yard rushing touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. Littleton, Jr. finished with 122 rushing yards, five receptions for 33 yards, and two total touchdowns, giving him four scores in two games. Farrell was efficient and mistake-free, completing 20-of-34 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Buchanan led the receiving corps with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, hitting a career milestone of 2,000 receiving yards, while Greg Gaines III and Aboraa Kwarteng combined for 209 receiving yards.
Rhode Island’s defense was stout, with linebackers A.J. Pena, Rohan Davy, and Moses Meus combining for 28 tackles and multiple sacks. Defensive lineman Case Mankins added seven tackles and a forced fumble. The Rams also converted four of six red-zone trips for 24 points and allowed only one sack for the second consecutive week, showcasing a strong offensive line performance anchored by game captain Thomas Buxton.
With the win, head coach Jim Fleming became just the third coach in program history to reach 50 victories, joining Bob Griffin (79) and Frank Keaney (70). Rhode Island now sits alone atop the CAA standings and will look to extend its unbeaten start next Saturday when they travel to Holy Cross for a 2 p.m. kickoff.