Image courtesy of Connor Caldon/URI Athletics

You having fun yet, Rams fans?

Something special is brewing with Jim Fleming’s crew so far in 2024.

After a wild comeback win over LIU two weeks ago thanks to Hunter Helms and Malik Grant, the Rams needed another miracle finish against Hampton on Saturday afternoon to pull out an insane 46-44 double overtime win.

This time it was Devin Farrell providing the heroics.

Helms got the start at QB, but a rough few opening possessions led to Farrell taking over in the second quarter.

Turned out to be the right call by Fleming.

URI trailed 31-17 with 7:02 remaining in the game. Farrell hit Tommy Smith for completions of 22 and 19 yards immediately following the kickoff, then found Marquis Buchanan for a 41 yard touchdown after an offside call to make it a 31-24 game with 5:56 remaining.

The defense forced a quick three-and-out, giving Farrell and the offense a chance to force overtime with 4:09 to play at the URI 21. !0 plays later, Grant punched in a two yard touchdown run to force OT, but not before the PAT was blocked, but that was negated for an offsides call on Hampton, allowing Ty Goff the chance to re-kick.

Farrell hit David Gaines III for a 12 yard touchdown and Goff’s PAT put URI up by seven, but Hampton forced double OT with a touchdown of its own. Hampton struck first on its second attempt, but failed the two-point conversion. Farrell then ran in a touchdown from two yards out and finished things off himself with a two point run for an incredible win.

“It was an outstanding finish and an outstanding test of character and perseverance by our kids,” said Fleming. “Obviously, on the flip side of that, let’s not get into those situations by playing as horribly as we did at certain times. Great credit to this football team. They’ve got something going.”

Rhode Island is now 4-1 overall and tied for first with Delaware, Richmond and Villanova in the CAA at 2-0. Undoubtedly, the Rams will be moving up from their No. 25 spot in the AFCA Coaches Poll this week too.

Farrell was 14-25 for 247 yards with one pick for the Rams. Grant had 20 carries for 180 yards and Deon Silas added 60 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns.

“I think we’ve seen (the running game come to life) the last two weeks, it’s critically important,” Fleming said. “I look out there and when those guys are getting positive yards – both of them, but particularly Malik Grant…in the overtime or whatever it was he just kept going like a mighty mite. It was really impressive and got the whole team going.

“Critically important and then great credit to everybody else on the squad. The quarterback…that was a big time changeup and we answered the bell when Dev came in and did a great job.”

Helms turned the ball over twice early as Hampton built a 10-3 lead after one. Silas ripped off a 31 yard touchdown run early in the third, but a Malcolm Mays two yard touchdown run late in the half had the Rams trailing 17-10 at the half. Hampton pushed it to 24-10 with 1:52 remaining in the third, but a 42 yard pass to Shawn Harris Jr. quickly set up a 14 yard touchdown run for Silas 42 seconds later.

A Tymere Robinson two yard touchdown catch capped a 17-play drive that lasted over nine minutes, putting URI in the 31-17 hole and setting up the wild finish.

Rhode Island out-gained Hampton 544-438 with 273 rushing yards as a team. The Rams were just 5-13 on third down, but 10 Hampton penalties for 97 yards helped aid the comeback as well. URI turned it over three times total while forcing one (an Ayinde Johnson interception).

The Rams can’t celebrate for long with the Governor’s Cup against Brown on deck before CAA play the rest of the season.

But, they were still going to celebrate this one for a little while. It was to special not to have a little fun at least.

“We’ve got a big game next week, but I couldn’t be more happier or more proud of these kids,” Fleming added. “They played their tails off and found a way to win again.”