Football secure first undefeated home campaign in 39 years through second-half triumph

Photo courtesy of URI Athletics

Good teams find ways to win games and bad teams find ways to lose them. 

On Saturday, both things were true as the Rhode Island Rams took down the University at Albany Great Danes 20-17 for their ninth win of the season and first undefeated home campaign since 1985. 

“The way the season has gone, part destiny, part absolute heart and perseverance,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “You look at accountability, productivity, perseverance. I think these guys represent that the whole way.”

The Rams trailed in the second half and rallied for a victory for the seventh time this season, a testament to the perseverance that Fleming spoke about.

The Great Danes went into the latter half leading URI 17-0, but running back Malik Grant helped the Rams claw back right. Just 1:09 into the second half, Grant broke out a 42-yard touchdown run, the first of his three scores, which eliminated the Rams’ donut on the scoreboard. 

“Mentally it showed us, this who we are,” Grant said. “Offense doesn’t run unless those five [offensive lineman] are pushing the defensive line off the ball. That’s what I told them In the locker room, they’ve been carrying me all season.”

Rhody had a chance to get on the board right before the break but Ty Groff’s field goal attempt was batted down at the line of scrimmage, a theme of the day. 

Following the long touchdown by Grant, the Great Danes strung together another long drive from their own 45 to the URI eight-yard line. Just when it seemed that all hope was lost for Rhody, with Albany’s Seven McGee about to break the goal line for another touchdown, McGee lost the ball and it rolled out of the endzone. With the loss of possession the play resulted in a touchback, a major break for the Rams. 

URI would not score on the ensuing drive, but the stop marked a turning point. With 2:44 remaining in the third quarter, Grant would strike again for the Rams, taking a direct snap through the middle for the score. Groff’s extra point would be blocked, the second time Albany had gotten a hand on a kick, keeping Rhode Island down 17-13. 

With Albany on a scoring drought, and the Rams looking to take the lead, Grant found the promised land again. A seven-yard rush gave the Rams a 20-17 lead, with Groff knocking the extra point through. 

Albany began to find their stride late as they got into the red zone with three minutes to play. With the Great Danes knocking on the door again the Rams stood tall, as Andre DePina-Gray intercepted Albany QB Van Weber at the three-yard line.

Rhode Island could not run the clock out though and Albany again had a chance to either tie or take the lead. URI came up with another big stop, something they've seemingly patented in 2024. Westley Neal Jr. got a hand on the potential game tying field goal as time expired, giving the Rams their ninth win of the season. 

“Honestly I was thinking in my head it's a must win, put the team before me,” Neal Jr. said. “It was either [the long snapper] was gonna duck his head and I was gonna jump over him or run through him. He ducked his head. I jumped over him, put my hands up and got the block.” 

The Rams now make the trip up north to Smithfield, Rhode Island to take on the Bryant Bulldogs in the final regular season matchup of the season. That game is at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the broadcast available to be streamed on FloFootball.