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Special to PhotoSports.com by Dom Murgo
The cold rolled into Kingston early, the kind of November chill that signals championship football. By the time fans packed Meade Stadium, breath fogging in the air, one thing was obvious:
Rhody wasn’t just showing up to defend its crown —
Rhody was showing up to seize it again.
And seize it they did.
38–10. Back-to-back CAA champions.
A wire-to-wire demolition that confirmed who rules the league.
At the center of it all was CAA Coach of the Year Jim Fleming, the architect behind URI’s rise, guiding a program that played with confidence, toughness, and zero hesitation.
🚀 ALL GAS. NO BREAKS.
Hampton opened with a three-and-out.
URI opened with an earthquake.
On Rhode Island’s first touch with space, Antwain Littleton hit daylight and ripped off a 65-yard touchdown that sent Meade Stadium into chaos. It set the tone instantly: this was Rhody’s day.
Moments later, First Team All-CAA quarterback Devin Farrell dropped a perfect deep ball to Greg Gaines III — the Second Team All-CAA receiver who spent the afternoon shredding Hampton’s secondary. That throw set up the spark:
RB Brendon Barrow showcased his elite wheels with a blazing 28-yard touchdown run, exploding through the second level untouched.
Littleton added another score before the quarter ended.
21–0 after one.
A complete takeover.
🔥 THE KENYON SURGE
Farrell established the rhythm like the all-conference leader he is.
Then sophomore Connor Kenyon stepped in and delivered the fireworks.
Late in the second quarter, Kenyon directed a crisp 70-yard drive in just over a minute, pushing the lead to 24–7 by halftime.
But the moment that detonated Kingston came in the fourth quarter:
Pinned at their own four, Kenyon dropped back and fired a missile.
Omari Walker caught it in stride and sprinted 61 yards for the touchdown.
Meade Stadium didn’t just cheer — it roared.
URI had delivered the knockout blow.
💪 THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE — COACHING MATTERED
URI didn’t just win — they overwhelmed Hampton in every phase.
- 610 total yards
- 409 passing
- 201 rushing
- 27 first downs
That ground game wasn’t an accident.
Credit Offensive Coordinator Mike Flanagan and offensive line coaches Drake Jackson and Sebastian Delasoudas, whose line mauled defenders all afternoon, opening highways for Littleton and Barrow.
Littleton: 148 yards, 2 TDs
Gaines III: 8 catches, 139 yards — uncoverable
Marquis Buchanan — First Team All-CAA & local RI legend — 7 catches, 83 yards, bringing unmatched competitive fire
Barrow: track-speed TD + impact runs
Walker, Kwarteng: mismatch nightmares
Two quarterbacks cooking.
Receivers dominating.
A backfield that looked unstoppable.
🧱 DEFENSE: LORENTI’S FIRE & BRIMSTONE
The offense piled up points.
The defense ripped away Hampton’s hope.
URI allowed just 275 yards, forced multiple three-and-outs, and played with a snarling edge.
That identity came straight from Defensive Coordinator Chris Lorenti, who coached with prototypical fire and brimstone, demanding urgency, discipline, and violence on every snap.
And at the heart of it all stood AJ Pena — First Team All-CAA AND the CAA Defensive Player of the Year.
He set the tone.
He controlled the edge.
He played like the best defender in the conference — because he is.
Tosin Akinsulire sealed the game with a late interception, the final stamp on a defensive masterpiece.
This defense doesn’t react.
It dictates.
🏆 BACK-TO-BACK CAA CHAMPS — AND BUILT FOR MORE
When the final cannon sounded, the celebration felt earned — not surprising.
URI knew exactly where it belonged: on top.
8–0 in the CAA.
Discipline. Physicality. Depth.
A roster loaded with stars:
- Jim Fleming — CAA Coach of the Year
- Devin Farrell — First Team All-CAA QB
- Connor Finer — First Team All-CAA TE
- Marquis Buchanan — First Team All-CAA WR & RI legend
- AJ Pena — First Team All-CAA, CAA Defensive Player of the Year
- Greg Gaines III — Second Team All-CAA WR
- Brendon Barrow — elite-speed weapon
- Supported by assistants Mike Flanagan, Chris Lorenti, Drake Jackson, Sebastian Delasoudas
Rhody is deep across the board — deeper than ever — and they look primed to make a serious run in this year’s playoffs.
Not just competing.
Not just believing.
Hunting.
This isn’t chance.
This is the standard now.
This is Rhode Island Football.
This is what champions look like.
🔵⚓ Rhody Rising.
