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University of Rhode Island

Ja'Den McKenzie URI OT TOUCHDOWN
Connor Caldon
28
New Hampshire UNH 4-4 , 2-3
34
Winner Rhode Island URI 5-4 , 3-3
New Hampshire UNH
4-4 , 2-3
28
Final
34
Rhode Island URI
5-4 , 3-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
UNH New Hampshire 7 10 3 8 0 28
URI Rhode Island 0 14 7 7 6 34

Game Recap: Football |

McKenzie, Rams Knock Off New Hampshire in Overtime

How it Happened
Running back Ja'Den McKenzie became the fifth player in program history to rush for four touchdowns in a single game as he led Rhode Island to a 34-28 overtime victory over New Hampshire Saturday afternoon.

McKenzie scored on a 1-yard dive over the pile to end the thriller as the Rams (5-4, 3-3 CAA Football) got back above .500 for the season. Rhody came back from three deficits before taking its first lead when McKenzie scored his second touchdown of the day early in the third quarter. With his team up 21-20, McKenzie rumbled into the end zone again to help boost the lead to 28-20.

New Hampshire (4-4, 2-3 CAA Football) drove 77 yards in 11 plays on its ensuring possession for the game-tying drive. Max Brosmer connected with Logan Tomlinson on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 9:06 to go. Brosmer then hit Caleb Burke for a two-point conversion pass to tie the score.

Both teams had chances to win in the final minutes. The Wildcats missed a 50-yard field goal attempt with a minute to go. Rhode Island then drove deep into New Hampshire territory for a field goal attempt of its own with two seconds left, but the kick was blocked.

New Hampshire got the ball first in overtime, but it missed on a 36-yard field goal attempt. Rhode Island just needed points for the win. After a 1-yard pass on first down, McKenzie broke off a 23-yard run down the right side for a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. On the next play, he dove over the top of the scrum at the line of scrimmage and flipped into the end zone to secure the victory.

Inside the Box Score
  • Running back Ja'Den McKenzie joined Ed DiSimone (5 touchdowns); James Jenkins (4 touchdowns twice); Jayson Davis (4 touchdowns) and Kevin Brown, Jr. (4 touchdowns) as the only Rhode Island players with four touchdowns in a single game. Brown was the most recent, doing so against Villanova in 2021.
  • McKenzie finished the day with 135 rushing yards and four scores on 15 carries.
  • It was his third 100-yard game of the season.
  • Linebacker A.J. Pena tallied the 13th sack of his career. He is now tied for 10th all-time in Rhode Island's career history.
  • Pena had seven tackles, three quarterback hurries, one sack and one pass break up.
  • Wide receiver Kahtero Summers surpassed 100 receiving yards for the third time this season. He had eight catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.
  • Quarterback Kasim Hill was 21-of-31 for 280 yards and one touchdown. He is now tied with Chris Hixon for the second-most career touchdown passes with 55.
  • Linebacker Evan Stewart and safety Brent Jackson led the team with eight tackles. Both players had five solo stops.
  • Rhody's defense had nine pass break ups. Defensive backs Jordan Colbert and Freddy Mallay and defensive end Gabe Salomons each had two.
  • Linebacker A.J. Pena served as the game captain while linebacker Evan Stewart was the anchor bearer.

What's Next
Rhode Island will savor the victory for the next week as it heads into the bye. The Rams are back in action Saturday, Nov. 11 when they host North Carolina A&T. Game time is 1:05 p.m. on FloFootball.com.
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