Classical Alum Marquis Buchanan Comes Up Clutch for #14 URI, Rams Win Seventh Straight

No. 14/14 Rhode Island won another game in which it trailed in the fourth quarter, pulling out a wild 37-28 victory over Monmouth Saturday afternoon.

Rhody (8-1, 5-0 CAA Football) trailed 28-24 when it took possession at its own 31-yard line with just 3:09 on the clock. The Rams drove to the Monmouth 24, and on third-and-3 from there, Devin Farrell connected with Marquis Buchanan over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Buchanan’s second touchdown of the day gave URI its first lead of the day, as Rhody pulled in front 31-28 with 1:17 to go.

Monmouth (4-5, 2-3 CAA Football) managed to get two possessions in the final 67 seconds, but the Ram defense allowed nothing. At the final snap of the game, the Hawks used a backyard football hook-and-ladder that featured seven fullbacks. The last lateral hit the ground for a fumble, and Rhode Island’s Fredrick Mallay recovered it at the 7-yard line and returned it for a touchdown to clinch the seventh straight win.

Inside the Box Score
This was Rhode Island’s fifth win when it trailed in the fourth quarter.
URI is one shy of the program’s longest winning streak, which was eight games in 1985.
Rhode Island’s defense limited the nation’s highest-scoring offense to 28 points. It was just the second time this season Monmouth has been held to less than 40 points.
Wide receiver Marquis Buchanan had a career day, catching 12 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
The last URI player to catch 10 passes in a game was Isaiah Coulter, who had 12 at Brown on Oct. 5, 2019.
Running back Malik Grant also went over 100 yards, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver Tommy Smith caught three passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Linebacker AJ Pena had seven tackles, six solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup as part of a monster performance.
Pena is now third in URI history with 36.5 tackles for loss in his career. The only players with more are Frank Ferrara (49.0 from 1994-97) and LB Mack III (39.0 from 2016-21).
Defensive back Fredrick Mallay had eight tackles, a pass breakup that prevented a touchdown and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Mallay is now tied for 10th in program history with Jim Robertson (1981-82) and Antonio Carter II (2020-22) with 19 career passes defended.
Linebackers Devin Hightower and Cole Brockwell had eight tackles each. Hightower also had 1.5 tackles for loss.
Rhode Island rushed for 211 yards, the third time this season the ground attack has topped 200 yards.
Defensive lineman Case Mankins and linebacker Moses Meus each recorded a sack, the first career sack for both players.
Quarterback Devin Farrell was 20-of-25 for 265 yards with a career-high three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 40 yards as he produced 305 yards of total offense.
Rhode Island is 8-1 despite being minus-10 on the season in turnovers.
Running back Carson Harwood, offensive lineman Damon McMillan, Jr., defensive back Tyler Baker, and wide receiver Alvarez Baker all made their collegiate debut for Rhode Island.
Defensive lineman Carson Primrose was the anchor bearer, while long snapper Donato Crisanti and linebacker Sean Pelkisson served as game captains.
The scout team players of the week were wide receiver Joey Acciardo and linebacker Gabe Franco.
Another sellout crowd of 5674 fans were on hand for the Family Weekend game.
Up Next
Rhode Island travels to Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is at 1 pm and the game will stream on FloFootball.com.