How it Happened
No. 5/6 Rhode Island's defense shut down Holy Cross as the Rams were able to grind out a physical 9-7 defensive battle Saturday afternoon.

URI (3-0) did not allow any second half points, as the defense continuously came up with big plays to keep the Rams close.   

After a Holy Cross (0-3) punt, Rhody took over at its own 9-yard line with 5:57 to go. Devin Farrell hit tight end Connor Finer for a 35-yard gain on first down. After a holding call, Farrell found Greg Gaines III for a 24-yard strike, which was followed by a 13-yard run by Antwain Littleton, Jr. A 10-yard Farrell scramble moved the ball to the Holy Cross 34-yard line.

Farrell made the biggest play of the game on third-and-5 when he appeared to be wrapped by defensive lineman Donovan Comestro for a sack. Farrell escaped the grip and alertly threw the ball away to avoid a loss. That allowed Garth Snow to drilled a 41-yard field goal on the next snap for the game-winning points with 2:23 to go.

It was a grind all game long. The Rams put together an impressive opening drive, moving the ball 78 yards on 14 plays before things stalled in the red zone. Facing first-and-goal at the 7-yard line, Holy Cross came up with three straight stops, and Rhode Island settled for a 24-yard Garth White field goal for the early 3-0 lead.

Holy Cross took the lead late in the second quarter. After being forced to punt on their first three possession, the Crusaders drove 53 yards on eight plays for a 1-yard touchdown by Jayden Clerveaux for a 7-3 lead with 5:30 to go in the half.

Before the half, Rhode Island got another field goal from Garth White. A pair of 20-yard passes by Devin Farrell - one to Aboraa Kwarteng and another to Marquise Buchanan - keyed a a 13-play, 69-yard drive that culminated in a 29-yard White field goal that got URI within 7-6.

Rhode Island's defense came up with several big plays in the second half. A.J. Pena and Sam Ofurie had back-to-back sacks before a bogus pass interference call extended a drive for Holy Cross. The Crusaders took the ball inside the URI 20, but a Rohan Davy sack and a forced incompletion led to a missed field goal, keeping Rhody within one point.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island has started a season for just the 10th time in program history. It is the first time since 2021.
• The Rams have scored 17 points in the final two minutes of the second quarter this season. They had touchdowns against Campbell and Stony Brook, and a field goal at Holy Cross.
• The defense limited Holy Cross to just 229 yards of offense (157 passing, 72 rushing).
• URI's defense recorded five sacks, all in the second half. Moses Meus, A.J. Pena, Sam Ofurie, Rohan Davy and John Broyles all had one.
• Davy has had one sack in each of the three games this season.
• rushed for 63 yards in the first quarter. Littleton 40, Farrell 23
• Linebackers Moses Meus and Rohan Davy both had seven tackles and one sack.
• Linebacker A.J. Pena had two tackles, one sack and three quarterback hurries.
• Defensive backs Trey Lubin, Jordan Campbell, Ayinde Johnson and defensive tackle Case Mankins broke up one pass each.
• Kicker Garth White was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts. His game-winning 41-yarder was the longest of his career. He also had a tackle on special teams.
• Wide receiver Marquise Buchanan had five catches for 84 yards, while tight end Connor Finer had five catches for 80 yards.
• Wide receiver Greg Gaines III added six grabs for 69 yards.
• Running back Antwain Littleton, Jr. ran for 94 yards on 18 carries and added three catches for 27 yards. He had a 37-yard touchdown, catch negated by a penalty.
• Despite an 0-3 record, Holy Cross has allowed just 15.7 points per game this season. The Crusaders have yet to give up more than 19 points in a game.
• Running back Antwain Littleton, Jr. served as the game caption, while safety Andre DePina-Gray was the anchor bearer.

Up Next
Rhode Island returns to Meade Stadium to host LIU on Saturday, Sept. 20 for its Homecoming Game. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on FloCollege.com.