URI gets back into the winning column with a 34-28 victory against UNH —
KINGSTON, RI -
After a controversial call in the final minutes of the CAA match up last year that arguably cost the the Rhode Island Rams their first postseason since 1985, the Rams played with a chip on their shoulder against the University of New Hampshire, getting the win 34-28.
“We had some business to settle with them from last year,” said URI Head Coach Jim Fleming. “Not to say that’s an extreme impact but what we were after as a group is to play our best game, and I think arguably we did.”
It was Ja’den McKenzie who started and ended the Rams offense with a 10-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter and then a 1-yard touchdown rush in OT to win the game with tough, gritty running. McKenzie finished the day with 134 yards on 15 carries and four touchdowns.
“I run with a chip on my shoulder. I’m like a power back, I like the contact, I never shy away. That’s the reason I run so hard.” said Mckenzie.
It was a back and forth fight between the conference rivals from start to finish. The first quarter had a slow start with no score on the board until the final 5 minutes in the quarter and that was the UNH connection of Max Brosmer and Dylan Laube.
The second quarter felt the opposite with multiple scores on both sides starting with Jaden McKenzies’ rush, tying up the score. Max Brosner had a response after seeing an open path to the end zone, he took it himself, rushing 20-yards and taking the lead yet again 14-7.
The Rams got caught in a game of catch up after playing nearly two quarters one score behind, but Kahtero tied the game up in fashion with a 44 yard reception from Kasim Hill. Summers cleaned up with 115 yards receiving for the day.
The Rams came out of the half with a very efficient drive with Jaden Mckenzie leading the charge with a 22 yard rush. Kahtero Summers followed the lead with a 26 yard completion and Mckenzie finished it up with a 4 yard gain and touchdown giving the Rams the first lead of the game 21-17.
The Wildcats had some tricks up their sleeve with a fake punt on 4th and 9 resulting in an 18 yard rush by Sean Lehane and ultimately giving UNH the opportunity to successfully go for 3 and inching closer to the Rams 21-20.
Head Coach Jim Fleming made the risky call to put the Rams at a more comfortable 28-20 lead in the fourth quarter after going for it on 4th and 2 on the UNH 15. No risk no reward, the Rams got in the end zone just two plays after with a 14 yard reception from Darius Savage and Mckenzie’s second touchdown of the day on a 1 yard rush.
New Hampshire had some risk of their own to respond with a 4th down conversion in their territory which paid off by a Logan Tomlinson touchdown to tie the game 28-28.
Just like the back and forth game all game, there were three back to back stops in the fourth quarter including two on fourth down conversions. After a great fourth down stop by the Rams, they had a poor response which resulted in a three and out after a Kasim Hill sack giving the Wildcats the ball with 4:11 to go. It looked bleak for the Rams as the Wildcats got themselves in field goal position.
The Rams got a second life after UNH missed the field goal to the left, but to follow the trend of the game, the Rams responded with a blocked field goal that sent them into overtime, to eventually get the win 34-28 after the Wildcats missed their overtime field goal.
UNH head coach Rick Santos reflected after the game and wasn’t surprised by the intensity of this game.
“That’s the type of game you get when you play in the CAA, two great football teams battling it out, plays made on both sides, really competitive out there… URI is a really good football team.”
