By Tiffany Williams –
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — Rhode Island opened the 2026 season with a statement Friday night.
The Rams forced four turnovers, controlled the ground game and pulled away from Merrimack for a 34-7 victory at Duane Stadium.
Rhode Island struck first just 1:49 into the game when Tyler Budge connected with Marquis Buchanan for a 16-yard touchdown, giving the Rams an early 7-0 lead.
Merrimack answered later in the first quarter. Matthias Latham capped an eight-play, 59-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
From there, Rhode Island took control.
Alex McClelland scored twice in the second quarter, first on a 5-yard run with 7:59 remaining and then again from 4 yards out with 50 seconds left before halftime. The two rushing touchdowns gave Rhode Island a 21-7 lead at the break.
The Rams added to that advantage in the third quarter behind kicker Ty Groff.
Groff connected from 26 yards with 9:18 remaining in the quarter, then hit again from 33 yards just 90 seconds later to push Rhode Island’s lead to 27-7.
The final blow came on defense.
With 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Moses Meus intercepted a pass and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown, closing out the scoring and sealing the 34-7 win.
Rhode Island did not need a huge passing night to control the game.
Budge completed 13 of 29 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. He also contributed 51 rushing yards on five carries, averaging 10.2 yards per attempt.
The Rams were much more effective on the ground, finishing with 169 rushing yards on 30 carries for an average of 5.6 yards per attempt.
BJ Barrow led Rhode Island with 56 rushing yards on 13 carries. Terrence Campbell added 30 yards on seven attempts, while McClelland finished with 10 rushing yards and two touchdowns on three carries.
Buchanan was Rhode Island’s leading receiver, catching six passes for 72 yards and the opening touchdown. Aboraa Kwarteng added two receptions for 34 yards.
Merrimack actually finished with more total offense, gaining 355 yards compared with Rhode Island’s 297.
But the Warriors could not overcome the turnovers.
Merrimack lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions while Rhode Island finished the night without a turnover.
That four-to-zero turnover margin became the biggest difference in the game.
Merrimack quarterbacks AJ Hairston Jr. and Cole Meehan combined to complete 24 of 40 passes for 261 yards, but both threw an interception.
Andre DePina-Gray joined Meus with an interception for Rhode Island, returning his pick 75 yards.
Meus also finished with four tackles and the defensive touchdown.
Rohan Davy and Dane Picariello led the Rams with nine tackles apiece. Dylan Yang, D.J. Cureton and Marquese Avery each recorded a sack as Rhode Island finished with three sacks and six tackles for loss.
Merrimack struggled to establish its running game against the Rams defense.
The Warriors managed just 94 rushing yards on 34 carries, averaging 2.8 yards per attempt.
DeMarcus McElroy led Merrimack with 45 yards on 10 carries, while Galamama Mulbah added 27 yards.
Bryce Goulet was Merrimack’s leading receiver with four catches for 67 yards. Stephon Patrick added two receptions for 62 yards.
Merrimack controlled possession for more than 36 minutes and recorded 20 first downs compared with Rhode Island’s 18, but those numbers were wiped out by missed opportunities and turnovers.
The Warriors finished 4-for-14 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down.
Rhode Island went 5-for-13 on third down.
Groff finished with 10 points, making both extra points after Rhode Island’s offensive touchdowns, the extra point following the defensive score and two of three field-goal attempts.
The Rams leave North Andover with a season-opening win built around defense, field position and ball security.
Merrimack moved the football.
Rhode Island made the plays that mattered.