By Charlie Adams
NEFJ Staff
KINGSTON — Rhode Island’s historic season is not over yet. After a 39-year wait, the Rams returned to the FCS playoffs on Saturday and proved they belonged.
No. 10 URI defeated the NEC champion Central Connecticut State in the first round of the FCS playoffs, 21-17.
“It’s a historic deal,” Rhode Island head coach Jim Fleming said. “Out of 129 years of playing football here on the campus at URI, no team has ever won 11 games in one year.”
More history was made on the ground as Malik Grant earned back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances for the first time in program history and broke the single-season rushing record.
“It starts off in practice with Coach Flem and the offensive line,” Grant said. “Those guys in front, they battled this whole game.”
Central Connecticut drove down the field on its opening drive. Brady Olson dropped back and his pass tipped up into the hands of URI’s D.J. Cuerton for the interception.
Grant brought the Rams into field goal range with a 39-yard rush. On fourth down, Ty Groff was left with a 45-yard field goal. Chris Jean got through for CCSU to block the attempt.
Rhode Island quickly recovered as Hunter Helms rolled out of the pocket and found Tommy Smith wide-open for a 38-yard touchdown. Groff converted on the PAT after a penalty made it a 25-yard try.
The Rams returned to the end zone just one play later as Olson threw his second interception. Emmanuel Gomes got the takeaway and took the return 42 yards for the touchdown.
Helms threw his first interception with Rhody’s next drive. Looking for Greg Gaines III, Malachai Wright jumped up to make the pick.
CCSU capitalized on the turnover with an eight-play drive to set up an 11-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Boston. Jack Barnum’s extra point brought the Blue Devils within a score.
A successful surprise onside kick got Central Connecticut the football back with a chance to tie. Rhode Island caught a break on Olson’s fourth-down pass as he overthrew a wide-open Sean O’Brien for what would have been a surefire score.
URI went for it on fourth down to end the half, Helms’ pass was batted down to end the drive. The Blue Devils took a knee and headed to halftime trailing 14-7.
Jean followed up his blocked field goal with an interception to open the second half. Helms gave up the turnover after a 75-yard rush by Grant had the Rams set up just outside the red zone.
Back with the ball, Rhode Island went for it on fourth and two from 21 yards out. Grant was sent four yards back as Clifton Thompson broke through.
The Blue Devils took advantage of the turnover on downs to even the game. Olson connected with Boston for a six-yard touchdown before Barnum’s PAT tied it in the third.
“Touchdown Tommy” recorded his second touchdown of the game to retake the URI lead. Smith took the snap out of the Wildcat for a six-yard touchdown.
“In high school, I played quarterback so I’m comfortable back there,” Smith said.
Gomes and Pena picked up a crucial sack with under five minutes to play on third and goal to push the Blue Devils fourteen yards from the goal line. CCSU decided to kick the 32-yard field goal on fourth to narrow the score to 21-17.
Rhode Island was able to run the clock down to 50 seconds across eight plays while burning through Central Connecticut’s timeouts.
Olson’s pass was tipped again on the first play of CCSU’s final drive. Wesley Neal Jr. came up with the interception to allow the Rams to kneel out the playoff win.
“I told him I was going to move him to wideout,” Fleming joked. “He’s been a really huge leader for us this year, in the way he goes about his business, the way he holds that defense together, and the way he holds our team together.”
Central Connecticut finishes its season 7-6 overall, the Blue Devils brought home its seventh NEC championship after being voted last in preseason polls.
“Couldn’t be more proud of the direction we’re headed, but couldn’t be more disappointed for our kids that we weren’t able to find a way to get it done,” CCSU head coach Adam Lechtenberg said.
No. 10 Rhode Island (11-3) advances to the second round to take on No. 7 Mercer. The Rams will travel to Georgia next Saturday with a chance to make the quarterfinals for the third time in the team’s four playoff appearances.