How It Happened
Rhode Island (5-3, 3-3 CAA Football) dug itself into too big a hole and could not recover, dropping its third straight game with a 45-24 loss to Maine Saturday afternoon.

Visiting Maine (4-4, 3-3 CAA Football) scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. Zavier Scott had a 1-yard touchdown, Devin Young caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Derek Robertson and then Robertson connected with Andre Miller for a 22-yard score as the Black Bears built a 21-3 lead less than two minutes into the second quarter. A Maine field goal made it a 21-point game at the half.

Rhody came roaring back to start the second half. The first play from scrimmage in the third quarter was a 68-yard touchdown pass from Kasim Hill to Paul Woods. On Maine's ensuing possession, cornerback Fredrick Mallay picked off Robertson, setting up a seven-play, 55-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown pass from Hill to Jaylen Smith, getting URI within one score, 24-17, just five minutes into the half.

Later in the quarter, Robertson hit Daniel Rymer for a 28-yard touchdown to put Maine up 31-17, but Rhody responded with another touchdown drive. Hill hit Caleb Warren for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 31-24 with 14:08 remaining.

The next Maine possession proved to be a back-breaker. On first down, Henry Yianakopolos appeared to force a fumble on a 2-yard tackle for loss, but the runner was ruled down before the ball came loose. Maine was 4-for-4 on third-down conversions on the drive, and a potential URI interception fell to the ground despite three Rams having a shot at the ball. The Black Bears eventually scored on Robertson's fourth touchdown pass of the game, when he hit Shawn Bowman for a 13-yard score to cap the 14-play, 70-yard drive.

Maine added a rushing touchdown on its next possession to ice the game and secure the road win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Maine had 528 total yards of offense, rushing for 264 and passing for 266.
• Rhode Island was just 2-for-12 on third downs, compared to 10-for-16 for the Black Bears.
• Wide receiver Paul Woods had his best game for Rhode Island, catching four passes for 102 yards, including the 68-yard touchdown.
• Each of those stats represented new career highs.
• Tight end Caleb Warren caught five passes for 51 yards and one touchdown.
• Running back Jaylen Smith ran for 42 yards, caught four passes for 16 yards – including a 3-yard touchdown – and returned four kicks for 72 yards. He finished the game with 134 all-purpose yards.
• Linebacker Jake Fire had a 39-yard kickoff return when he field a short kickoff and found a seam up the middle. In 2019, he had kick returns of 26 and 10 yards at Maine.
• Rhode Island's defense broke up nine passes, including two each for safety Coby Tippett and cornerback Jordan Jones.
• Safety Oneil Robinson and linebacker Evan Stewart led the team with eight tackles each.
• This was Maine's 14th consecutive win in the series.
• The interception by Fredrick Mallay was the first of his career.
• Defensive lineman James Makszin served as the anchor bearer, while the game captains were Evan Stewart and Nick Correia.

What's Next
Rhode Island travels to Massachusetts for a non-conference game Saturday, Nov. 6. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and will air on NESN+.