KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Football's Marquis Buchanan and A.J. Pena earned All-New England honors from the New England Football Writers Association.

Thirty-five total players representing 15 Division I football playing schools in New England were named to the team.

Pena received the honor for the third consecutive season after making the All-New England team in 2023 and 2024. The senior finished the season with 89 tackles for Rhode Island. He notched team-bests in tackles for loss (21) and sacks (11).  Pena's 11 sacks is tied for eighth most in a single season in program history, and his 21 tackles for loss is tied for third best in program history.

Pena's 2025 season was full of accolades. He took home the 2025 CAA Defensive Player award, and All-CAA First-Team honors. This season, Pena became the program leader in career tackles for loss (65.5) and sacks (38).

Buchanan received the recognition for the first time in his career. The Providence, R.I. native recorded 1,337 receiving yards in 2025, the third most in a single season in team history. With 78 catches this season, Buchanan became the third receiver in program history to catch 200 passes in his career. Buchanan had eight touchdown catches in his 2025 campaign.

Much like Pena, Buchanan also took home additional hardware this season. He was an All-CAA First-Team selection and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award for FCS football's top offensive player.

Both Buchana and Pena will be honored at the New England Football Writers Captains and Awards Banquet on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center.