The University of Rhode Island football team was defeated 22-18 by fellow Coastal Athletic Association member North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Saturday.

Saturday’s loss marked the first time the Rams dropped back-to-back conference games since 2023, when they lost to the University of Richmond 24-17 on Oct. 14, 2023, and the University at Albany 35-10 on Oct. 21, 2023.

“Every CAA loss is very consequential in terms of what we want to do and what we want to try to achieve,” URI head coach Jim Fleming said. “Makes it very hard to climb back into this thing.”

Things went wrong on the first play of the game for URI; fifth-year running back BJ Barrow was tackled for a loss of six yards. Rhody’s opening drive ended in a three-and-out.

The Rams’ defense tried to help as fourth-year defensive lineman Case Mankins sacked Aggies fourth-year quarterback Kevin White and forced a fumble on third down. White recovered the ball, but the Aggies were forced to punt.

URI’s offensive struggles continued, managing just 12 yards on the following drive. NC A&T didn’t falter on its second drive as first-year kicker Asher Holland nailed a 41-yard field goal attempt to put the Aggies up 3-0.

Rhody’s ensuing drive started and ended the same way. The Rams fumbled the kickoff return and were pinned at their 6-yard line. 

URI managed to get into Aggies’ territory, but fifth-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan fumbled after a hard hit. Aggies’ second-year defensive back Steven Davis II recovered the fumble, setting the Aggies up at their own 39-yard line.

Five plays later, White scored on a designed quarterback run, but a missed extra point kept the Aggies’ lead at nine.

After both teams traded field goals, the Rams were once again pinned deep in their own territory after another fumble on the kickoff return, but third-year quarterback Tyler Budge ripped off a 55-yard run to put URI at the Aggies’ 23-yard line at the two-minute warning.

On third down, Budge’s intended pass to Barrow in the end zone was intercepted by Davis II. White led the Aggies 59 yards downfield on the ensuing drive, ending with a 21-yard field goal from Holland to send them into the locker room up 15-3 at halftime.

After consecutive three-and-outs to open the second half by both teams, White was intercepted by URI fourth-year outside linebacker Toddrick Brewton, putting the Rams in the red zone.

While points were added to the board, it wasn’t for the Rams. On third-and-10, Budge was strip-sacked, and third-year linebacker Tyrek Brown returned it 69 yards to the house for an Aggies 22-3 lead. 

Third-year quarterback Alex McClelland entered the game for Rhody and immediately led a 14-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, capped off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by third-year running back Gabe Winowich and a 2-point conversion.

URI scored on its next drive as well, with second-year running back Terrence Campbell getting in from 13 yards out to put the Rams within four with 12:24 remaining in the fourth.

“I was really disappointed in the first half in terms of how we performed,” Fleming said. “I was very inspired by how those guys answered in the second half. I thought there were plenty of opportunities to win the game.”

The Aggies’ defense held strong, holding Rhody scoreless on its final three drives in the fourth quarter, including an interception by fourth-year Kamari Blankumsee while the Rams were at the NC A&T 24-yard line.

The loss put the Rams at a 2-3 overall record and a 1-2 record in CAA play. It’s the first time URI is below .500 through the first five games since the 2019 season, a season in which the team finished 2-10.