How it Happened
No. 6/7 Rhode Island methodically pulled away from LIU, scoring a touchdown in each quarter while shutting the visitors down for a 28-7 Homecoming victory Saturday night.

A Justin Carcel interception gave Rhody the ball at its own 45-yard line in the opening quarter. That set up a touchdown drive that ended with Devin Farrell hitting Aboraa Kwarteng for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 left in the first quarter.

A three-and-out by the Ram defense led to URI (4-0) starting at its own 21-yard line. Rhody drove the ball to the LIU 35-yard line before Farrell found Marquis Buchanan deep down the middle for a 35-yard touchdown strike.

LIU (1-3) cut the lead in half with a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chris Howell. Howell had 26 rushing yards on the drive, using his legs to move the ball.

Special teams made a big play in the third quarter when Buchanan fielded a punt at the LIU 35-yard line. He returned it 31 yards to give his offense a short-yardage situation. Two plays later, Farrell ran it in from 2 yards out.

Running back Antwain Littleton, Jr. iced the game with a 1-yard plunge that made the score 28-7 with 9:11 to go.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island has held back-to-back opponents to single digits for the first time in 35 years. The last time URI pulled the feat was in 1990, when it beat Richmond 37-0 and Brown 23-3 in consecutive weeks.
• Rhode Island has started a season 4-0 just the fourth time in program history.
• The Rams have won 11 straight at Meade Stadium, the fourth longest home winning streak among FCS schools.
• Linebacker A.J. Pena had four tackles, including 1.5 sacks. He became the second player in program history to reach 30 in his career. Pena has 30.5, while Ferrara had 33.0 from 1995-98.
• Pena also has a new program-record with 49.5 tackles for loss, breaking Frank Ferrara's record of 49.0.
• Defensive back Justin Carcel had two interceptions. The last URI player with two in a game was Syeed Gibbs, who had two at Brown in 2023.
• Wide receiver Marquis Buchanan had his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and ninth of his career, finishing 103 yards and one touchdown on seven catches.
• He also had a 31-yard punt return that set up a Rhody touchdown.
• Buchanan has caught at least five passes in every game this season.
• Running back Antwain Littleton, Jr. rushed for 119 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.
• He has scored five touchdowns in his first four games with URI.
• Linebackers Rohan Davy and Mitchell Garner tied for the team high with seven tackles and each had one tackle for loss.
• Linebacker John Boyles had five tackles, including his second sack of the season.
• The defense had eight tackles for loss, including three sacks.
• Rhody limited LIU to 2-for-12 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down.
• Defensive back Leisaan Hibbert served as the game captain, while defensive lineman Tosin Akinsulire was the anchor bearer.

Up Next
Rhode Island visits Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+.