How It Happened 
After a back-and-forth first half, No. 22/24 Rhode Island used a dominant second half to pull away from Stony Brook, recording a 35-14 road victory in the 2022 season opener for both teams Thursday night.

Stony Brook scored first when Carthell Flowers-Lloyd recorded a strip sack of Kasim Hill and returned the fumble for a score. The Rams (1-0, 1-0 CAA Football) responded with a touchdown drive on the next possession, as Hill found Paul Woods for a 7-yard strike.

Early in the second quarter, Jordan Jones gave Rhody its first lead with a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Seawolves (0-1, 0-1 CAA Football) got a 2-yard plunge from Ty Son Lawton to knot the score again just before the break.

It was all Rhode Island in the second half. Ed Lee caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Hill late in the third quarter. Hill added a 10-yard scoring run in the fourth, and Marques DeShields iced the game with a 2-yard score for the Rams.  

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island won its season opener for the fourth time in five years.
• The win was Rhody's first in four visits to Stony Brook.
• Cornerback Jordan Jones had two interceptions in a game for the second time in his career. His 42-yard touchdown return was his second career pick-6.
• Jones now has eight career interceptions in 18 games for the Rams.
• Wide receiver Ed Lee had career highs with six catches for 87 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown catch.
• He also had a 32-yard punt return.
• Quarterback Kasim Hill was 17-of-32 for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
• Hill now has five consecutive games with two or more touchdown passes. He also recorded his ninth career rushing touchdown in 15 games.
• Rhode Island is 10-4 with Hill as the starting quarterback.
• Running back Jaylen Smith had 81 yards on 13 carries, while Marques DeShields added 65 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
• Linebacker Evan Stewart had five tackles including one sack, plus an interception.
• Safeties Henry Yianakopolos and Oneil "Buzz" Robinson led the defense with eight tackles each.
• Wide receiver Paul Woods had a 7-yard touchdown catch, his second career score.
• Both teams scored defensive a defensive touchdown.
• Making their collegiate debuts in the game were linebacker Declan Williams, linebacker A.J. Pena, tight end Kevin Schaeffer, and kicker Michael DeBolt.
• The following players made their Rhode Island debut: wide receiver Darius Savedge, quarterback Kennique Bonner-Steward, running back Marques DeShields, safety Jordan Colbert, wide receiver Kahtero Summers, cornerback Randy Jordan, kicker Harrison Leonard and offensive lineman Michael Scibelli.
• Redshirt freshman guard Adam McKanna made his first career start for the Rams.
• The game captain was wide receiver Ed Lee, while cornerback Jordan Jones was the anchor bearer.

What's Next
Rhode Island plays at Bryant Saturday at 6 p.m.