Marques DeShields had a short touchdown run with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter on Saturday afternoon, as the #23 University of Rhode Island Rams beat the Maine Black Bears 26-22 at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) football action.
Maine (2-7, 2-4 in CAA) had several leads throughout the afternoon. They led 10-0 after a first quarter field goal from Cody Williams, and a two yard touchdown run by Elijah Barnwell halfway through the second. URI got on the board for the first time on a 63 yard scoring pass from Kasim Hill to Ed Lee with 1:15 left in the first half. Xavier Scott returned the ensuring kickoff 58 yards to the Rams 33 yard line, and the guests would be able to add another Williams kick of 46 yards for a 13-7 lead at the break.
Rhode Island would take the lead back early in the third quarter, taking the kickoff and going 66 yards and Hill would score on a seven yard QB keeper. Joe Fagnano connected with Rohan Jones for an 18 yard touchdown with 2:20 left in the period, before the Rams responded right away helped by a 47 yard completion from Hill to Lee. Hill scored on yet another keeper, this time from nine yards out and the two-point conversion failed and it was 20-19 URI headed to the fourth. Williams gave Maine their final lead 22-20 with a 39 yard field goal with 9:33 left to play. The game winning drive featured a 22 yard pass from Hill to Lee, and runs of 18 and 27 yards by DeShields. DeShields would score on the next rush of one yard after the 27 yard gain. The Black Bears would go three and out that included two penalties on their next drive, and punted the ball back with 5:25 remaining. The Rams finished off the win converting on a fourth down and short at the Maine 46, and a seven yard run by DeShields on a third down and five which allowed them to run the clock out.
Fagnano went 12-27 passing for 126 yards and one touchdown in the third straight loss for Maine. Barnwell had his best game of the season rushing for 98 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown. Kobay White and Xavier Scott both had four catches for 37 and 33 yards respectively. Brian Lee Jr. had seven total tackles. Hill finished 13-25 for 243 yards and a touchdown in the win for Rhode Island, adding eight runs for 41 yards and two scores. DeShields had 112 yards rushing on 23 attempts, with the game winning touchdown. Lee had eight receptions for 190 yards and the one long score. The Rams are now 6-3, 4-2 in conference play. Maine is back on the road next Saturday with a trip to Albany to face the Great Danes at 12 p.m.
