Courtesy of Rhode Island Athletics

NEWARK, DE- The Rhode Island Rams seven game winning streak was snapped on Saturday after a hard fought 24-21 loss at Delaware.

The Rams trailed 7-0 in the first quarter but would even things up with 50 seconds left in the frame when quarterback Hunter Helms would hit Marques Buchanan on a 22 yard touchdown strike. Seconds later, the defense would give the Rams the lead when linebacker Devin Hightower would return a fumble 21 yards for a touchdown. 

The Blue Hens would answer in the second quarter when running back Marcus Yarns scored from 27 yards out to even things up at 14-14. Yarns finished 174 yards rushing on the day. A Nate Reed 25 yard field goal late in the first half would give Delaware a 17-14 lead at the break. 

Delaware would add to their lead in the third quarter when receiver Jake Thaw would catch a 7 yard touchdown pass from Nick Minicucci. Minicucci completed 25-of-34 passes for 187 yards, 1 rushing touchdown and 1 passing touchdown. 

The Rams would not go away however as Helms would hit Greg Gaines III on a 20 yard touchdown passes with 6:23 left in the game. Helms finished 15 of 23 for 181 yards and two scores and an interception. The interception however came late in the game when the Rams were driving to take the lead. 

After the game, Rams coach Jim Fleming talked about the hard fought loss. 

“You come down to Delaware, you have got to be able to hit on all cylinders. I thought we left a lot of football out there. We had a couple of huge critical drops. A big 3rd & 8, we couldn’t get off the field. We will look at the film and be a little disappointed in the way we executed but in terms of their attitude, it’s the same team we’ve seen, our guys.” 

The Rams return home to host Albany next week for senior day. They close out the season at Bryant on November 23rd.