KINGSTON, R.I. (Interstat) — In a hard-fought contest that defied pregame projections, the Rhode Island Rams secured a 27-19 victory over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils on Saturday at Meade Stadium.

The game, played before a home crowd on Nov. 29, 2025, saw the Rams improve their season record to 11 wins and 2 losses, while the Blue Devils fell to 8 wins and 5 losses. The final score was closer than many statistical models had predicted, with Interstat’s ELO system having given Rhode Island a 92.4 percent probability to win and its simulator projecting a 34-32 Rams victory. Central Connecticut also managed to cover the pregame spread of +19.5, and the combined total of 46 points fell under the over/under line of 52.5.

Rhode Island established early dominance, exploding for 14 points in the first quarter. The Rams’ offense struck quickly, with quarterback Devin Farrell connecting with tight end Connor Finer on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 8:48 remaining. Farrell, a native of Stockbridge, Georgia, then found a favorite target in hometown receiver Marquis Buchanan for a 25-yard scoring strike just over two minutes later, capping a swift offensive drive.

Central Connecticut, undeterred by the early deficit, answered late in the opening period. Blue Devils quarterback Brady Olson engineered a methodical drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Howard with just two seconds left on the clock. Olson, from Bellingham, Massachusetts, would finish the game with a prolific stat line, completing 35 of 62 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 20 yards on five carries.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Rams, who added 10 points to their tally. Antwain Littleton Jr., a powerful running back from Greenbelt, Maryland, powered into the end zone from one yard out with 7:49 left in the half. Just before the break, Rhode Island kicker Garth White of Westlake Village, California, nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Rams into the locker room with a 24-7 lead.

After a scoreless third quarter that saw both defenses tighten and missed field goals from both sides, the Blue Devils mounted a spirited fourth-quarter comeback. Olson connected with Damani Williams on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 12:44 remaining to cut the deficit to 24-13. Following a critical interception by Central Connecticut cornerback Dekavis Preston of Martinsville, Virginia, the Blue Devils’ offense drove deep but stalled, settling for an 18-yard field goal from Jack Hennessey of Endwell, New York, making the score 24-16.

Rhode Island responded with a drive of its own, resulting in a 26-yard field goal from White with 5:03 left, extending the lead to 27-16. Central Connecticut, however, refused to go quietly. Olson led the Blue Devils down the field once more, but the drive again stalled in the red zone, forcing them to settle for another Hennessey field goal, this time from 28 yards, bringing the score to 27-19 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Blue Devils’ ensuing onside kick attempt went out of bounds, and the Rams’ offense, with Alex McClelland of Barrington, Rhode Island, taking a single snap for a 1-yard rush, was able to run precious time off the clock. Central Connecticut got the ball back for one final, desperate drive with under a minute to play. Olson moved the team to the Rhode Island 40-yard line, but his final four pass attempts fell incomplete, sealing the victory for the Rams.

Key individual performances highlighted the contest. For Rhode Island, quarterback Devin Farrell was efficient and effective, throwing for 365 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving corps was led by Marquis Buchanan, who hauled in 7 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Omari Walker of Mckinney, Texas, added 95 yards on four receptions.

For Central Connecticut, despite the loss, quarterback Brady Olson’s 311-yard, two-touchdown effort kept his team in the game. His primary target was Michael Trovarelli of Stratford, Connecticut, who had a standout performance with 11 receptions for 106 yards. The versatile Elijah Howard of Chattanooga, Tennessee, contributed both on the ground and through the air, scoring one touchdown.