How it Happened

Turnovers doomed Rhode Island all afternoon in a 38-13 loss to Elon Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (1-7, 0-5 CAA Football) committed five turnovers on the day, helping the visiting Phoenix score the final 28 points in the game. 

The turnover trouble began early for Rhode Island. On the first drive of the game, Vito Priore fumbled the snap on the Rams own 35-yard-line. Elon took advantage, scoring on the ensuing play as Davis Cheek found Avery Jones for a 25-yard touchdown reception to put Elon (4-4, 3-2 CAA Football) up 7-0. 

A pair of C.J. Carrick field goals helped the Rams get within 7-6 before halftime. The second make was set up by a 60-yard run from Naim Jones deep into Elon territory.

Elon took its opening possession of the second half for a field goal, extending its lead to 10-6. The Rams responded with their best drive of the day, going 75 yards in 10 plays before Zoe Bryant, Jr. found pay dirt from 2 yards out, giving Rhody its first lead of the day, 13-10.

From there, it was all Elon. The visitors scored 28 unanswered points, scoring touchdowns on four straight possessions to put the game away.

Inside the Box Score

• Redshirt sophomore Malik Gavek made his first career start and responded well. The Cranston native had his first career interception and had four tackles.
• Senior linebacker Branyan Javier-Castillo recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
• Senior wide receiver Ahmere Dorsey had a team-high six catches for 36 yards.
• Redshirt senior Zoe Bryant, Jr. had his fourth rushing touchdown of the season - and his fifth touchdown overall.
• Redshirt freshman Hunter Gorgas had a pair of catches, including a 37-yard grab that was Rhody's longest pass play of the day.
• Senior Naim Jones ran for a season-high 72 yards, 60 of which came on Rhode Island's longest play from scrimmage this season.
• Junior C.J. Carrick moved into third place in program history for career points by a kicker. Carrick had seven points on the day, giving him 167 for his career. He passed Shane Laisle, who had 166 from 2000-03.
• Elon defensive back Greg Liggs Jr. had three interceptions on the day.
• Redshirt senior Zoe Bryant, Jr. and senior Brandon Ginnetti served as game captains.
  Senior wide receiver Aaron Parker was the anchor bearer.
• A Homecoming crowd of 8,911 was on hand for the game.

What's Next
The Rams will host Merrimack in their final non-conference matchup of 2019. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. at Meade Stadium.