How It Happened
No. 24 Rhode Island used an explosive passing game and a stout defensive effort to steamroll in-state rival Bryant 49-26 Saturday afternoon. Four different receivers caught touchdown passes and URI added three more touchdowns on the ground as the Rams (3-2) had their highest scoring output since 2005.

After Rhode Island got a touchdown on its opening possession with a 1-yard touchdown run by Gabe Sloat, the visiting Bulldogs (2-3) scored 13 straight points to take the lead following a Ryan Clarke 2-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter.

From there, it was all URI. Rhode Island scored 28 unanswered points on a 57-yard touchdown catch by John Erby, a 5-yard touchdown run by Kasim Hill, a 24-yard touchdown catch by Darius Savedge and a 1-yard touchdown run by Ja'Den McKenzie. The offensive explosion put the game well in hand, as Rhody went into the fourth quarter with a 35-13 lead.

After giving up touchdowns on Bryant's first two drives, the Rhode Island defense played inspired football the rest of the way. On the third Bryant drive, the defense made a stop on fourth-and-1 at its own 12-yard line. From there, the Rams forced five straight three-and-out drives. A third-quarter interception by Syeed Gibbs set up McKenzie's touchdown that iced the game.

Inside the Box Score

• The 49 points were the most for Rhode Island since it had 56 points against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 10, 2005.
• Rhode Island improved to 4-0 all-time against Bryant.
• Linebackers A.J. Pena and Evan Stewart led the defense with nine tackles each.
• Pena had a pair of sacks plus an additional tackle for loss. Last year against the Bulldogs had had 3.5 sacks.
• Linebacker Declan Williams had a career-high eight tackles, including one tackle for loss.
• Quarterback Kasim Hill was 19-of-33 and amassed 332 passing yards. He also had one touchdown.
• Defensive tackle Westley Neal, Jr. had six tackles and a quarterback hurry.
• Linebacker Gabe Salomons had six stops, one sack and one pass break up.
• Defensive tackle Jasyn Andrews had one sack and blocked an extra point.
• Wide receiver Marquis Buchanan made his first career start and set career highs with nine catches for 111 yards.
• Fellow wideout John Erby just missed a 100-yard game, catching two passes for 98 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown.
• Wide receiver Jig Williams had his first career reception and touchdown, as he hauled in a 53-yard strike from Devin Farrell.
• It was the first completion and touchdown pass for Farrell.
• Defensive lineman Jasyn Andrews was the game captain, while running back Gabe Sloat was the anchor bearer.
• Kicker Ty Groff made all seven extra point attempts, one shy of the program record. It was the 10th time in program history a kicker has made seven or more in a game, and the first since C.J. Carrick made seven at Connecticut on Sept. 15, 2018.
• Meade Stadium was sold out, with a Family Weekend attendance of 5,676.

What's Next
Rhode Island stays local when it visits in-state rival Brown for the 41st annual Governor's Cup on Saturday, Oct. 7. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.