For the first time in 39 years, No. 13/15 Rhode Island football captured a league title, knocking off in-state rival Bryant 35-21 in the regular-season finale for both teams Saturday. For the Rams (10-2, 7-1 CAA Football), it is the first league title in 39 years and the first CAA Football title. Overall, it is the program’s seventh title, with each of the previous six coming in the Yankee Conference. Malik Grant rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns and he added his first touchdown reception of the season to spark the victory. Rhody scored the first six points of the day on a pair of Ty Groff field goals. He hit a chip shot midway through the first quarter before connecting from 38 yards just 10 seconds into the second quarter. Bryant (2-9, 0-7 CAA Football) responded with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brennan Myer to Drew Montez to move in front, 7-6. URI came right back with a touchdown drive of its own. A 26-yard reception by Marquis Buchanan set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Malik Grant to put the Rams back ahead, 13-7. The host Bulldogs came right back with a 50-yard touchdown run by Dylan Kedzior as the back-and-fourth continued. Kedzior’s run made it 14-13 Bryant as the teams combined for 24 points and four straight scoring drives in the second quarter. On Rhody’s opening drive of the second half, it was Grant rushing for 47 yards on the first snap that set the tone. He ran for 56 yards on the drive, which he also capped with a 4-yard touchdown catch to put URI up 20-14. An interception by Braden Price on the ensuing Bryant possession set up another touchdown. Starting at the Bulldog 47-yard line, Rhody got a 22-yard pass from Hunter Helms to Greg Gaines III for a first down at the Bryant 13. Three plays later, Grant punched in his third touchdown of the day from the 1-yard line. Marquis Buchanan scored the 2-point conversion as Rhode Island moved ahead 28-14. Though Bryant scored in the fourth quarter to make it a one-score game, Rhode Island stayed in control. A 15-play, 72-yard possession ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Grant, securing Rhode Island’s first CAA Football title. Inside the Box Score Rhode Island set a program record with its 10th regular-season victory. With 10 wins, the Rams have tied the program record for total wins in a season first set in 1984 and matched in 1985. Running back Malik Grant rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns. He added two catches for 16 yards and another score. He has 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. The 13 rushing touchdowns ties the Rhode Island single-season record set last season by Ja’Den McKenzie. Wide receiver Marquis Buchanan had eight catches for 84 yards. He needs just 19 more yards to reach 1,000. In two career games against Bryant, Buchanan has 17 catches for 195 yards. Linebacker Cole Brockwell had five tackles. The senior is the son of Mark Brockwell, who was a member of URI’s 1985 Yankee Conference championship team, the last Ram squad to win a title. Kicker Ty Groff had two field goals and three extra points for nine on the day. He has 63 for the season, tying Matt Walker (1998) for the eighth most by a kicker in a season in team history. The Rams are now 5-0 against Bryant. Game captains were wide receiver Marquis Buchanan and defensive back Fredrick Mallay. Linebacker A.J. Pena served as the anchor bearer. Quarterback Alex McClelland and linebacker Gabe Franco were the scout team players of the week. Up Next Rhode Island will learn its postseason fate Sunday afternoon with the FCS Selection Show that will air on ESPNU at 12:30 p.m. Categories: Sports