PAWTUCKET, R.I. (Interstat) — Rhode Island broke open a tight game with a big second-half surge and beat Elon 31-10 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Centreville Bank Stadium in a Coastal Athletic Association opener. The Rams improved to 2-1, while the Phoenix also moved to 2-1. The NCAA Football Championship Division contest was close into the second half before the home team took control. Tyler Budge threw two touchdown passes, and Mitchell Garner returned an interception for a touchdown to help Rhode Island pull away. The Rams scored 28 points in the fourth quarter, turning a narrow lead into a comfortable victory. Elon scored three points in the first quarter and seven in the third. Rhode Island scored three in the second and 28 in the fourth. The Rams defense forced timely stops, and the home crowd at Centreville Bank Stadium saw Rhode Island finish the game with a decisive run.

The first half was a defensive struggle. Luke Barnes gave Elon an early lead with a 46-yard field goal. Rhode Island had chances but Ty Groff missed a 36-yard field goal. Elon’s Barnes had a 59-yard attempt blocked by Case Mankins before halftime. The Phoenix also missed a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter. Rhode Island’s Josh Hamel made a 51-yard field goal to cut into the lead. The Rams then took over in the fourth quarter. Terrence Campbell had a 14-yard run and later scored on a 1-yard rush. Ty Groff added the extra point. T. Payne’s pass was intercepted by Garner and returned 30 yards for a touchdown with 5:18 remaining, and Groff again kicked the extra point. Budge threw two touchdown passes during the surge, helping Rhode Island turn the game into a rout. The Phoenix scored their lone touchdown in the third quarter, but Rhode Island answered with a 28-point fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.

Rhode Island’s offense was led by Budge, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback from Matthews, N.C. The Rams also received contributions from defensive back Andre DePina-Gray, a 6-foot-1, 216-pound Pawtucket native, and defensive backs Chaas McCoy, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jersey City, N.J., product, Ethan McCann-Carter, a 6-foot, 200-pound Pawtucket native, Tyson Grimm, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound Akron, Ohio, native, Trey Lubin, a 6-foot, 188-pound Orlando, Fla., native, D.J. Cureton, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound Wake Forest, N.C., native, and Tremel States-Jones, a 6-foot, 195-pound Surrey, Canada, native. Linebackers Mitchell Garner, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound Glen Burnie, Md., native, Gage Hinkley, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound Colchester, Conn., native, Rohan Davy, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound Briggs Chaney, Md., native, Moses Meus, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound Pawtucket native, Marquese Avery, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound Lynn, Mass., native, and Sam Ofurie, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound Salem, Mass., native, were part of the defensive effort. The defensive line included Sahnai Swain-Price, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound Boston native, Dylan Yang, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound Airmont, N.Y., native, Dane Picariello, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound Bristol, Pa., native, Patrick Conserve, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound Cumberland, R.I., native, Case Mankins, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound Attleboro, Mass., native, Toddrick Brewton, a 6-foot-3, 234-pound Miami native, and Tosin Akinsulire, a 6-foot-4, 277-pound Providence native. Wide receivers Marquis Buchanan, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound Providence native, Jamall Mensah, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Episcopal, Va., native, Kevin Green Jr., a 5-foot-11, 170-pound Mission Hills, Calif., native, Aboraa Kwarteng, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound Gaithersburg, Md., native, Alvarez Baker, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound Melbourne, Fla., native, and Rian Black, a 6-foot, 210-pound Rockledge, Fla., native, also contributed. Running backs Gabe Winowich, a 6-foot-1, 217-pound Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native, Terrence Campbell, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound Providence native, and Brendon Barrow, a 5-foot-8, 182-pound Etobicoke, Canada, native, helped Rhode Island control the ball. Kickers Randy Leavitt, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Burlington, Mass., native, Josh Hamel and Ty Groff, a New Canaan, Conn., native, also played roles. Rhode Island’s roster included Artin Balidemaj and Jermel Bynum.

Elon’s effort included Carter Stimson, Jamarien Dalton, a 6-foot-2, 184-pound Lexington, N.C., native, Chaz Knox, Tony Hart III, a 6-foot-2, 206-pound Baltimore native, Nathan Hayes, Codey Larkins, Derek Hite, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound Loretto, Pa., native, Dillon Pardue, Jevean Brown, Brodie Carroll, a 6-foot-1, 240-pound Gainesville, Va., native, Doug Quarles III, Josiah Payton, Kenaz McMillian, a 6-foot, 161-pound Winston-Salem, N.C., native, Zimere Winston, a 5-foot-11, 162-pound Raleigh, N.C., native, and Alex Voss. The Phoenix moved the ball at times but could not keep pace after Rhode Island’s fourth-quarter outburst. Elon’s defense had kept the game close through the first half, and the Phoenix’s third-quarter touchdown kept them within striking distance before the Rams pulled away. Luke Barnes handled field goals, and the Phoenix protected the ball until Garner’s interception return changed the momentum.

Elon entered the game after a 42-7 win over Glenville State and a 38-0 win at Davidson. Rhode Island had beaten Merrimack 34-7 before losing at Temple 38-14. The Rams will visit Stony Brook next Saturday. Elon will host Sacred Heart next Saturday. Later games for Elon include Maine at home, a trip to New Hampshire, Wofford at home, a visit to Stanford, a trip to North Carolina A&T, home games against Hampton and Campbell, and a trip to Towson. Rhode Island’s upcoming schedule includes a trip to North Carolina A&T, a home game against Brown, a trip to Yale, home games against Albany and Maine, a trip to New Hampshire, a home game against Towson and a trip to Bryant.

The Coastal Athletic Association opener was the first conference game for both programs this season. Elon had opened the year with two nonconference victories before traveling to Rhode Island. Rhode Island had played one road game at Merrimack and one road game at Temple before returning home. The Rams will remain in conference play with their trip to Stony Brook. Elon will step out of conference play to host Sacred Heart before returning to CAA action against Maine. Rhode Island will then face North Carolina A&T on the road before hosting Brown. Elon’s later matchups include a game at Stanford and a visit to North Carolina A&T. Rhode Island’s schedule also includes a game at Yale and a home date with Albany.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Rhode Island 36, Elon 33. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Rhode Island with an 87.6 percent probability to win.