=No. 15/18 Rhode Island (9-2, 6-1 CAA Football) rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to score 20 unanswered points and beat UAlbany 20-17 Saturday afternoon. On the final play of the game, defensive tackle Westley Neal, Jr. blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt to prevent the Great Danes (3-8, 1-6 CAA Football) from potentially tying the game and setting up overtime. Instead, Neal’s play ensured that Rhode Island tied the program record for regular season wins, matching the mark set in 1984 and tied in 1985. Running back Malik Grant ran for three touchdowns in the second half while the URI defense blanked UAlbany in the third and fourth quarters. Grant scored on a 42-yard rush on Rhody’s opening possession of the third quarter. An interception by Braden Price set up Grant’s second touchdown, a 1-yard plunge that capped a 72-yard drive with 2:44 left in the third. UAlbany blocked the extra points, leaving Rhody in a 17-13 hole entering the final quarter. After forcing a punt, URI started at its own 41-yard line with 11 minutes to go. A 30-yard completion from Hunter Helms to Marquis Buchanan was a big strike. A horse collar tackle moved the ball an additional 15 yards all the way to the UAlbany 14. Three plays later Grant ran it in from 7 yards out as Rhody took its first lead, 20-17, with 9:36 to go. Rhody’s defense did the rest. In the final three possessions for the Great Danes, the Rams recorded three sacks, one interception and the blocked field goal to secure the win. Inside the Box Score Rhode Island went 6-0 at home in the regular season, the first unbeaten home slate since 1985. Linebacker A.J. Pena had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. He now has 24.5 career sacks, moving into second all-time behind Frank Ferrara, who had 33.0 from 1995-98. Running back Malik Grant ran for 110 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 963 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. He is tied for the ninth most rushing touchdowns in single-season in program history. Wide receiver Marquis Buchanan caught six passes for 132 yards, his third game topping 100 yards this year. He has 897 receiving yards, leaving him just 103 yards shy of 1,000. Safety Emmanuel Gomes had five tackles and three pass breakups. The defense had five sacks. In addition to the two by Pena, Westley Neal, Jr. and Sean Pelkisson each had one, while Devin Hightower and Andre DePina-Gray combined for one. DePina-Gray and Braden Price each had one interception. The blocked field goal by Westley Neal, Jr. was the second of his career. Prior to the start of the game, head coach Jim Fleming and his staff honored the team’s 21-member senior class. The anchor bearer for the game was linebacker Cole Brockwell, while the game captains were tight end Tommy Smith and linebacker Gabe Salomons. The scout team players of the week were linebacker Marquese Avery and wide receiver Joey Acciardo. Up Next Rhode Island closes out the regular season at Bryant on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is 1 p.m. on FloFootball.com. Categories: Sports