How It Happened
In a game for the ages, No. 22/19 Rhode Island outlasted Monmouth in seven overtimes (yes, seven) for a wild 48-46 victory Saturday afternoon. It was the longest game ever between two FCS programs, as well as the longest game in CAA Football history.

Wide receiver Ed Lee caught a pass from Kasim Hill for the winning points in the seventh overtime to bring the game to an end. One play earlier, Jordan Jones broke up a pass in the end zone on play in which Gabe Salomons pressured the quarterback, setting up the winning play for the Rams.

In a game that featured seven ties and four lead changes, Rhode Island (5-2, 3-1 CAA Football) scored on a 73-yard pass from Kasim Hill to Marques DeShields to tie the game with 3:23 to go in regulation. The play - DeShields' fourth touchdown of the day - set up overtime. Both teams scored on three of their first six possessions of extra football before Lee ended the game and sent Rhody to its third straight victory.

The Rams got on the board with its opening possession. After the defense caused a turnover on downs with a stop on fourth-and-short, the Rams began with 10 consecutive running plays before Kasim Hill hit Marques DeShields with a 5-yard touchdown pass. DeShields had nine carries for 49 yards before the touchdown pass.

Monmouth (4-4, 2-3 CAA Football) needed just three plays and 42 seconds to respond with a touchdown of its own, as Dymere Miller caught a 13-yard strike from Tony Muskett. Following a defensive stop by the Hawks, Muskett gave Monmouth its first lead with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ugo Obasi, making the score 14-7.

The back-and-fourth action continued, as URI responded with an eight-play, 77-yard drive that culminated with Hill hitting Ed Lee for a 10-yard touchdown pass. That was the first of three touchdowns in 4:56, as Monmouth got a 13-yard touchdown run from Jaden Shirden before Hill scored on a 1-yard plunge following a 74-yard pass to Lee, once again tying the score at 21-21.

The pace slowed until the final play of the half, when E Bernstein made a 26-yard field goal to put the hosts up 24-21 at the break. 

Monmouth pulled off an onside kick to open the third quarter, but Rhode Island's defense came up with a turnover on downs. On third-and-1, Antonio Carter II and James Makszin combined on the stop for no gain. Then it was Jake Fire's turn as he brought down Owen Wright for no gain on fourth down, giving Rhody possession at the Monmouth 48-yard line.

Using the short field, the Rams drove 48 yards in seven plays. DeShields took it in from 3 yards out for his second touchdown of the day as Rhody moved back in front, 28-24. Monmouth responded with a 29-yard field goal from Bernstein to pull within 28-27 with 6:23 left in the third quarter.

Monmouth took the lead with 5:08 to go when Muskett hit Darrion Carrington for a 34-yard touchdown to make the score 35-28. Rhody responded with Hill's 73-yard catch-and-run to DeShields, who took the ball down the right sideline to tie the score and set up the overtime portion.

Inside the Box Score

• With the victory, Rhode Island head coach Jim Fleming reached 50 career wins.
• Running back Marques DeShields had four touchdowns and 256 all-purpose yards. He ran for a career-best 161 yards and two touchdowns. He added three catches for 95 yards and two more scores.
• It was his third straight 100-yard rushing game, and his fourth overall this season. DeShields now has 664 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground through seven games.
• Quarterback Kasim Hill passed for 352 yards and three touchdowns, despite a career-worst three picks. He also rushed for one touchdown.
• With his first touchdown pass of the day, Kasim Hill became the fourth Ram to reach 30 for his career. Hil finished the day with 32 moving into third place in team history. He joined Tom Ehrhardt (78), Chris Hixon (55) and Derek Cassidy (31) as the only Rhody players with 30 or more.
• Wide receiver Ed Lee caught four passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion. Lee also had a 74-yard catch that set up a 1-yard touchdown by Kasim Hill.
• It is his second 100-yard receiving game of the season.
• Wide receivers Darius Savedge and Kahtero Summers each had two catches and combined for 121 receiving yards.
• Savedge caught a two-point conversion pass from fellow receiver John Erby in the third overtime.
• Linebacker Evan Stewart had a career-high 14 tackles, including one sack.
• Safety Oneil "Buzz" Robinson had six tackles plus an interception in overtime.
• Linebacker Jake Fire had nine tackles and one sack.
• Safety Henry Yianakopolos had fivs tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one pass break up and one forced fumble.
• Defensive tackle James Makszin had five tackles.
• Cornerback Jordan Jones recorded one pass break up. It was his 25th career pass defended, tying him for second in program history with Raymond Williams and Chuck Wesley. 
• Jones also had a break up in the seventh overtime that does not count in the individual stats.
• The anchor bearer for the game was defensive tackle Dylan Brown, and the game captain was running back Marques DeShields.

What's Next
Rhode Island is back on the road for a game at William & Mary on Saturday, Saturday Oct. 29. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.