Football suffer first CAA loss in three-point defeat to Delaware

Photo courtesy of Connor Caldon

Rhode Island football’s 24-21 loss to Delaware on Saturday was a defeat that left a sour taste in the mouth of both players and fans. 

With six minutes left in the fourth quarter, Delaware possessed the ball on their own one-yard line, with the down and distance set up at 2nd and 16. The next two offensive plays saw the Blue Hens collecting 17 yards, letting Delaware draw the clock down to under a minute before Rhode Island could recollect possession.

With 59 seconds left on the clock, Hunter Helms attempted to lead a game-winning drive for the Rams. However, the fourth pass of that drive found the hands of a Hen rather than a Ram, with Gavin Moul grabbing the game sealing interception.

“When you come down to Delaware, you have to be able to hit on all cylinders,” URI Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “I thought we left a lot of football out there.”

The loss ended a seven-game winning streak for the Rams, and stopped the Rams from assimilating the best start to a season in program history. The 1984 Rams, like the 2024 team started the year 8-1, both teams then progressed to 8-2 in a road loss by less than one possession.

Rhode Island’s offense was forced to operate under a sense of instability, with starting quarterback Devin Farrell leaving the game after a sack on the second drive of the game. Helms stepped back on the field for the first time since Oct. 5, and was not given much leeway early on in the game.

Although Helms finished off the afternoon attempting 23 passes, he only attempted three going into halftime. Out of the 20 passes he threw in the second half, 14 of them came in the fourth quarter when offensive coordinator Patrick Murphy opened up the playbook due to a 24-14 deficit.

“When their numbers are called you have to step up and be ready to go,” Fleming said. “Obviously it's unfortunate when you lose some people, but at this same time it is good to see guys step up and take advantage of their opportunities and contribute to a very competitive game that we just didn’t come out on the right end of.”

A next man up mentality could be key for Rhode Island down the stretch. With two games remaining in the season, and limited news on the status of Farrell available at this point in time, it is assumed at this point in time that Helms is the starting quarterback for the time being.

Helms and Farrell split time at one point this season, with both quarterbacks being featured in four of the first five games. However, since the Governor’s Cup against Brown on Oct. 12, it has been the Farrell show in Kingston.

That brings up the question of what happens if Farrell can’t suit up on Nov. 16, against Albany? The Rhode Island offense seemed timid under Helms, not calling passing plays until their hand was forced in the fourth quarter.

Despite the poor ending, Helms displayed prominence when given the chance. Helms completed 11/14 passes in the fourth quarter, totaling 93 yards through the air. If that performance was replicated across the entire game, Helms would have thrown for over 370 yards, more than any Rhody quarterback this season.

The Rams return to the gridiron this Saturday against Albany with either Farrell or Helms under center. Kickoff is set at Meade Stadium for 1 p.m. and can be streamed on FloSports.