By Jake Brown
GoRhody.com Staff

How It Happened
A pick-6 by linebacker Jarrett Martin highlighted a tremendous defensive effort as No. 25/22 Rhode Island knocked off No. 14/18 Elon 17-10 in front of a sellout Alumni/Family Weekend crowd Saturday afternoon.

Martin picked off Elon's Matthew McKay at the Phoenix 16-yard line and returned it for a touchdown with 8:37 remaining in the game. The play broke a 10-10 tie and led URI (4-2, 2-1 CAA Football) to its second straight win.
 
Elon (5-2, 3-1 CAA Football) struck first when Skyler Davis kicked a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter. Rhode Island answered in the second quarter with a 21-yard field goal by Harrison Leonard that was set up by a 40-yard reception from Kahtero Summers.

On Elon's ensuing possession, the visitors put together a 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 20-yard reception by Bryson Daughtry. The drive was capped off by a 4-yard touchdown run for Jalen Hampton, putting Elon ahead 10-3 going into the half. 

The third quarter saw solid an all-around defensive effort from Rhody's Evan Stewart, who recorded 5 tackles, including a crucial fourth-down stop. Rhody eventually broke through offensively when a seven-play, 57-yard drive culminated in a 7-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kasim Hill. 

The game remained tight until Martin's big play. Later, Stewart broke up an Elon pass on fourth-and-3 from the URI 33-yard line. Hill and the offense took over with 4:53 remaining. The offense picked up three first downs - all on runs by Hill - and were able to run the clock out for the key conference win.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Saturday's matchup marked the first win for Rhode Island over Elon at Meade Stadium. Rhody was 0-2 at home prior to this season.
• The win snapped a four-game losing streak in the series for the Rams. It also ended Elon's five-game winning streak this season.
• Rhody had 401 yards of total offense, compared to Elon's 263, which helped vault the Rams to victory.
• Marques DeShields dominated in the ground game, finishing with 127 rushing yards on 18 carries.
• It was the third 100-yard outing this season for DeShields, who has 503 yards through six games.
• As a team, Rhode Island had 200 yards on the ground. In addition to DeShields' big day, quarterback Kasim Hill added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown.
• Over his last two games, Hill has run for 151 yards. Rhode Island improved to 8-0 in his career with Hill rushes for 30 or more yards.
• Hill also finished the day 17-for-29 passing for a total of 201 yards.
• Wide receiver Kahtero Summers led all receivers, bringing in five catches for 74 yards, including a 40-yard grab early in the second quarter. Tight end Caleb Warren hauled in four catches for 55 yards for Rhode Island. 
• Linebacker Evan Stewart led the Rhode Island defense with seven total tackles, which included a crucial fourth down stop to give the ball back to Rhody in the third quarter. Stewart also broke up two passes and recovered a fumble, making his presence known. 
• Linebacker Jarrett Martin had six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown. Martin's pick-six was the first interception and first touchdown of his collegiate career. 
• Linebacker Gabe Salomons had four tackles and forced a fumble.
• Defensive tackle Westley Neal, Jr. returned after missing two games and had four tackles. 
• After Elon was 5-of-8 on third down in the first half, the Rhode Island defense held the visitors to 0-for-6 in the second half.
• Rhody also held Elon to 0-for-2 on fourth down.
• Kicker Harrison Leonard went 2-for-2 on extra points and notched a 21-yard field goal. 
• The anchor bearer for URI was left tackle Lorenzo Thompson, and the game captain was safety Oneil "Buzz" Robinson.
• The attendance was 5415.

What's Next
Rhode Island travels to Monmouth on Saturday, Oct. 22. Game time is 1 p.m.