How it Happened
No. 16/17 Rhode Island (6-1, 3-0 CAA Football) dominated on defense and special teams as it pounded No. 19/24 New Hampshire 26-9 Saturday afternoon.

The defense held New Hampshire without a touchdown until the final minute of play. Rhode Island's punt coverage team had a block punt for a safety and a fumble recovery for a touchdown on a day when points were difficult to come by for much of the game. It was the team's first road win against the Wildcats in nearly three decades, dating back to 1995.

Rhode Island broke the scoreless tie when Moses Meus broke through and blocked a punt on special teams. The Rams had a chance to recover the ball in the end zone but were unable to fall on it. New Hampshire recovered, but the play went for a safety, giving Rhody a 2-0 lead.

No. 19/24 New Hampshire responded on its next possession by driving 57 yards in 11 plays. After not picking up a first down on its first six possessions, the Wildcats (4-3, 2-1 CAA Football) converted four on the drive. However, the drive stalled at the Rhode Island 27-yard line, and UNH settled for a 45-yard field goal from Nick Mazzie to take a 3-2 lead into the half.

On the opening drive of the second half, cornerback Fredrick Mallay intercepted UNH quarterback Seth Morgan to give Rhody a first down at the New Hampshire 48-yard line. Malik Grant had a catch-and-run for 35 yards to get the Rams into the red one for the first time, but the drive stalled at the UNH 3-yard line. Ty Groff hit a 20-yard field goal to move the Rams back in front, 5-3.

It was special teams again coming up big for Rhode Island. Devin Walter punted the ball to the New Hampshire 10-yard line, where Casey McKinney muffed the punt. Freddie Camp recovered the ball in the end zone for the first touchdown of the game, putting Rhody ahead 12-3 with 6:33 left in the third quarter.

After another defensive stand, Rhody began a drive at its own 15-yard line. After several running plays softened the UNH defense, Devin Farrell hit Marquise Buchanan deep over the middle for a 57-yard touchdown strike that extended the lead to 19-3 just before the end of the third quarter.

Rhode Island iced the game with a short-yardage drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run for Tommy Smith. After Grant ran for 22 yards to set up first-and-goal, Smith took a direct snap out of the Wildcat for the clinching score. UNH scored an inconsequential touchdown in the final minute.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island is now 6-7 against ranked opponents since 2021. The Rams were 15-90 against top 25 teams before then.
• With the win, the Rams have won six or more games in four straight seasons for the first time since doing so five straight years from 1981-85.
• The Rams have won five straight games.
• Linebacker Cole Brockwell – CAA Football's leading tackler – had nine tackles, including a tackle for loss.
• Linebacker Devin Hightower and cornerback Fredrick Mallay each had eight tackles. Mallay also had his first interception of the season.
• Linebacker Gabe Salomons had six tackles and combined with Cole Brockwell on a sack.
• Defensive back Emmanuel Gomes made seven stops and broke up one pass.
• Linebacker A.J. Pena had two sacks that resulted in 20 yards of loss.
• Pena is now fourth in program history with 21.5 career sacks. He trails only Frank Ferrara (33.0), Lou D'Agostino (24.0) and LaJhon Jones (23.0).
• The Rams did not allow a first down until 4:40 remaining in the second quarter, as New Hampshire did not have any in its first six drives.
• The defense held New Hampshire to 2-for-15 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth down. The Wildcats entered the game 5-for-9 on fourth downs for the year.
• URI's defense limited New Hampshire to 94 offensive yards in the first half.
• Running back Malik Grant rushed for 127 yards and added two catches for 47 yards. It was his third 100-yard rushing game of the year, all of which have come in the last four contests.
• Kicker Ty Groff is now 5-for-6 on field goals and 21-for-21 on extra points this season
• Wide receiver Marquise Buchanan's 57-yard touchdown catch was his longest reception of the season. He has caught a touchdown pass in three straight games and four of the last five.
• Buchanan finished with four catches for 62 yards.
• The safety for Rhode Island in the second quarter was the team's first since Jake Fire had one 27 games ago at Bryant in 2022.
• Tight end Brady Roark and defensive back Seun Filaoye served as the game captains, while wide receiver Marquis Buchanan was the anchor bearer.
• The scout team players of the week were defensive lineman Bless Nyanneh and wide receiver Tyler Poirier. It is the second time in three weeks Poirier has earned the recognition.
• After getting flagged flagged five times for 55 yards in the first quarter. Rhode Island settled down and was whistled just three times for 20 yards over the final three periods.

Up Next
Rhode Island hosts Maine on Saturday, Oct. 26 for its Homecoming Game. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. on FloFootball.com.