How it Happened
No. 8/10 Rhode Island's season-long issues with turnovers really stung the Rams in a 28-21 loss to in-state rival Brown in the annual Governor's Cup game Friday night.

In the first American football game ever played in Pawtucket's Centreville URI (4-2) turned the ball over four times, leading to 14 points for Brown (2-1). It started with an interception on Rhody's opening possession that led to a quick touchdown for the Bears, as Matt Childs ran it in from 6 yards out two plays later.

The Rams responded with a touchdown drive that ended with Devin Farrell connecting with Marquis Buchanan on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Brown came right back with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown to retake the lead when James Murphy hit Ty Pezza for an 18-yard touchdown pass late in the opening quarter.

Rhode Island again tied the score when Farrell found Omari Walker for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 9:25 left in the second quarter. However, Brown used an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to once again pull ahead. Childs ran it in from 3 yards out for his second touchdown of the night, making the score 21-14 before the half.

After the defense forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the second half, Rhode Island was on the verge of tying the game in third quarter when Farrell connected with Greg Gaines III on a 33-yard pass to the Brown goal line. However, as Gaines tried to fight to get in the end zone, the ball was knocked out of his hand and out of the end zone. Brown was given possession at its own 20-yard line.

The Bears chewed up more than seven minutes of game clock as they drove 80 yards in 17 plays. Quarterback James Murphy capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Miller for a 28-14 lead.

Rhody didn't go quietly, scoring on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Farrell to Matt Smith with 4:11 left in the game. After the defense forced a punt, URI had the ball first-and-10 at its own 10-yard line with 1:55 remaining.

Farrell was able to drive the ball to the 50-yard line with just under a minute to go. However, on third-and-10, his pass for Buchanan sailed high and was intercepted by Miles Brophy, sealing the victory for Brown.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island has turned the ball over 14 times through six games. The Rams are minus seven in the turnover battle.
• Brown snapped Rhode Island's six-game winning streak in the Governor's Cup.
• Quarterback Devin Farrell was 30-of-44 for 353 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Farrell now has 22 career touchdown passes, moving into 10th place in program history. He passed Larry Caswell (19 from 1966-68) on the all-time list.
• Tight end Connor Finer caught a career-high eight passes for 84 yards.
• Wide receiver Greg Gaines III had five catches for 87 yards, while Marquis Buchanan had seven catches for 76 yards and one touchdown.
• The touchdown catch was the 16th for Buchanan, giving him sole possession of sixth place in program history.
• Tight end Matt Smith caught his first career touchdown pass.
• Linebacker Rohan Davy had a team-high 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and his fourth sack of the season.
• Defensive tackle Case Mankins had six tackles, including his second sack.
• Linebacker Moses Meus served as the anchor bearer and wide receiver Marquis Buchanan was the game captain for Rhode Island.

Up Next
Rhode Island returns to Meade Stadium to host New Hampshire in a CAA Football contest Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is 1 p.m. on FloSports.com.