Rhode Island Humbled by Western Michigan in 47-14 Beatdown

By Tiffany Williams –

redtexturedeconomynewsyoutubethumbnail_20241128_212704_00008424520492500696465 Rhode Island Humbled by Western Michigan in 47-14 Beatdown

Western Michigan gave No. 6/7 Rhode Island a harsh reminder of what FBS muscle looks like, burying the Rams 47-14 on Saturday night in Kalamazoo.

Rhody (4-1) actually struck first, needing just two plays to go 75 yards after the opening kickoff. Devin Farrell hit Marquis Buchanan for 56 yards on the first snap, and Antwain Littleton, Jr. punched it in from two yards out just 69 seconds into the game. That was as good as it got.

From there, it was a Bronco avalanche. Western Michigan (2-3) ripped off 44 straight points, 31 before halftime. Quarterback Broc Lowery carved up URI in just his second career start, throwing for 143 yards and a score on 15-of-20 passing while adding 52 rushing yards and a touchdown. Running back Ofa Mataele was a hammer inside and out, finding the end zone twice, including a 22-yard burst in the second quarter.

URI’s defense, which had given up just 51 points in its first four games, got worked over. The Broncos piled up 18 first downs in the opening half and outrushed the Rams 149-11 before the break. Western’s defense was even nastier, racking up seven sacks and forcing four turnovers. Sophomore safety Micah Davis grabbed his first interception, while defensive lineman Marcel Tyler had two sacks and a forced fumble.

Palmer Domschke nailed three field goals, including bombs from 41 and 49 yards, to cap the Broncos’ onslaught. By the time Littleton caught a 5-yard TD pass from Farrell with 5:08 left, the outcome was long decided.

There were still some bright spots for Rhody. Buchanan went off for 141 yards on seven catches, his 10th career 100-yard game, and Littleton kept up his touchdown pace, scoring his sixth and seventh of the year. Linebacker Moses Meus was everywhere, recording a career-high 19 tackles—the most by a Rhode Island player since 2010.

But this was a statement from Western Michigan. They bullied the Rams up front, forced Farrell into tough spots, and showed the gap between FBS depth and FCS firepower.

Rhode Island will try to shake off the beating quickly. They return home Friday night for the Governor’s Cup showdown against Brown at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket.