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Central Connecticut at Rhode Island

Saturday, November 30, 2024, FCS Championship – First Round

Rhode Island beat Central Connecticut 21–⁠17. It was their fifth meeting; after it, Rhode Island led the series 4–⁠1.

AwayCentral Connecticut7–⁠6 in 2024
17
HomeRhode Island11–⁠3 in 2024
21

Final at Meade Stadium, KingstonTV: ESPN+Attendance 3,522

At kickoff
38°F, wind 5 mphWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Kingston 1 NW, under 1 km from the stadium
Official
Matthew JonesGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Central Connecticut077317
Rhode Island1400721

Standouts

  • RushingMalik Grant29 carries, 223 yardsRhode Island
  • ReceivingIsaac Boston2 catches, 17 yards, 2 TDCentral Connecticut
  • DefenseMalachi Wright1 INTCentral Connecticut

Player stats

Central Connecticut

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Brady Olson11/2314823
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Elijah Howard19101040
Donny Marcus732013
Jadon Turner1505
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Elijah Howard354025
Michael Trovarelli135035
Delvin Attafah117017
Isaac Boston217211
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Malachi Wright0001
Christopher Jean0001

Rhode Island

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Hunter Helms18/2820812
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Malik Grant29223075
Tommy Smith2916
Gabe Sloat2907
Shawn Harris Jr.1101
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Greg Gaines III571023
Tommy Smith257138
Marquis Buchanan524011
Shawn Harris Jr.220011
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Emmanuel Gomes0001
Jalen Neal0001
D.J. Cureton0001

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Central ConnecticutRhode Island
271Total yards434
148Passing yards208
123Rushing yards226
6.4Yards per pass7.4
3.8Yards per rush5.5
13First downs19
4–⁠12Third downs8–⁠14
0–⁠1Fourth downs0–⁠2
3Turnovers2
0–⁠0Penalties3–⁠15
28:21Possession31:39

Efficiency

Central ConnecticutRhode Island
42%Success rate41%
−0.29EPA per play0.03
1.04Explosiveness1.41
−0.12Rushing EPA−0.00
−0.51Passing EPA0.07
31%Passing-down success28%
6%Havoc by its defense5%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Rhode Island 78% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Rhode Island −15, over/under 45.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Every drive

Rhode Island end zoneCentral Connecticut end zoneQ1 Rhode IslandPunt, 3 playsQ1 Central ConnecticutInterception, 6 playsQ1 Rhode IslandMissed FG, 8 playsQ1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ1 Rhode IslandTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 Central ConnecticutPick-six, 1 play (Rhode Island scores)Q1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 5 playsQ2 Rhode IslandInterception, 6 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 8 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutTurnover on downs, 7 playsQ2 Rhode IslandTurnover on downs, 11 playsQ2 Central ConnecticutEnd of half, 1 playQ3 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ3 Rhode IslandInterception, 4 playsQ3 Central ConnecticutPunt, 4 playsQ3 Rhode IslandTurnover on downs, 10 playsQ3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 6 playsQ3 Rhode IslandPunt, 5 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 playsQ4 Rhode IslandTouchdown, 6 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutField goal, 8 playsQ4 Rhode IslandPunt, 8 playsQ4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 1 playQ4 Rhode IslandEnd of game, 1 play
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Rhode Island drives left to right, Central Connecticut right to left.
  1. Q1 Rhode IslandPunt, 3 plays, 4 yards
  2. Q1 Central ConnecticutInterception, 6 plays, 33 yards
  3. Q1 Rhode IslandMissed FG, 8 plays, 52 yards
  4. Q1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  5. Q1 Rhode IslandTouchdown, 8 plays, 80 yards
  6. Q1 Central ConnecticutPick-six, 1 play (Rhode Island scores), 0 yards
  7. Q1 Central ConnecticutPunt, 5 plays, 5 yards
  8. Q2 Rhode IslandInterception, 6 plays, 28 yards
  9. Q2 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 8 plays, 48 yards
  10. Q2 Central ConnecticutTurnover on downs, 7 plays, 25 yards
  11. Q2 Rhode IslandTurnover on downs, 11 plays, 43 yards
  12. Q2 Central ConnecticutEnd of half, 1 play, −2 yards
  13. Q3 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, 7 yards
  14. Q3 Rhode IslandInterception, 4 plays, 75 yards
  15. Q3 Central ConnecticutPunt, 4 plays, 17 yards
  16. Q3 Rhode IslandTurnover on downs, 10 plays, 54 yards
  17. Q3 Central ConnecticutTouchdown, 6 plays, 75 yards
  18. Q3 Rhode IslandPunt, 5 plays, 28 yards
  19. Q4 Central ConnecticutPunt, 3 plays, 2 yards
  20. Q4 Rhode IslandTouchdown, 6 plays, 32 yards
  21. Q4 Central ConnecticutField goal, 8 plays, 58 yards
  22. Q4 Rhode IslandPunt, 8 plays, 29 yards
  23. Q4 Central ConnecticutInterception, 1 play, 0 yards
  24. Q4 Rhode IslandEnd of game, 1 play, −1 yard

Play by play

1st quarter6 drives, then Rhode Island 14, Central Connecticut 0
Rhode Island Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Malik Grant run for 4 yds to the URI 29
15:002nd & 6 at own 29Hunter Helms run for no gain to the URI 29
15:003rd & 6 at own 29Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
13:374th & 6 at own 29Devin Walter punt for 37 yds, fair catch by Michael Plaskon at the CCSU 34
Central Connecticut Interception, 6 plays
13:371st & 10 at own 34Elijah Howard run for 5 yds to the CCSU 39
13:372nd & 5 at own 39Brady Olson pass incomplete to Sean O’Brien
13:373rd & 5 at own 39Brady Olson pass complete to Elijah Howard for 25 yds to the URI 36 for a 1ST down
13:371st & 10 at opp 36Elijah Howard run for no gain to the URI 36
13:372nd & 10 at opp 36Donny Marcus run for 3 yds to the URI 33
11:023rd & 7 at opp 33Brady Olson pass intercepted D.J. Cureton return for a loss of 10 yards to the URI 20
Rhode Island Missed FG, 8 plays
11:021st & 10 at own 20Malik Grant run for 39 yds to the CCSU 41 for a 1ST down
11:021st & 10 at opp 41Malik Grant run for no gain to the CCSU 41
11:022nd & 10 at opp 41Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Tommy Smith
11:023rd & 10 at opp 41Hunter Helms pass complete to Tommy Smith for 19 yds to the CCSU 22 for a 1ST down
11:021st & 10 at opp 22Hunter Helms pass complete to Marquis Buchanan for no gain to the CCSU 22
11:022nd & 10 at opp 22Hunter Helms run for a loss of 6 yards to the CCSU 28 Hunter Helms fumbled, recovered by URI Hunter Helms
11:023rd & 16 at opp 28Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Greg Gaines III
8:004th & 16 at opp 28Ty Groff 45 yd FG BLOCKED blocked by Christopher Jean Groff,Ty field goal attempt from 45 yards NO GOOD blocked by Jean,Christopher (H: Walter,Devin, LS: Crisanti,Donato), clock 08:00 recovered by URI Roark,Brady at CCSU35, End Of Play.
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
8:001st & 10 at own 35Elijah Howard run for 6 yds to the CCSU 41
8:002nd & 4 at own 41Brady Olson pass complete to Michael Plaskon for 3 yds to the CCSU 44
8:003rd & 1 at own 44Elijah Howard run for a loss of 6 yards to the CCSU 38
6:074th & 7 at own 38Aidan Clark punt for 42 yds, punt out-of-bounds at the URI 20
Rhode Island Touchdown, 8 plays
6:071st & 10 at own 20Malik Grant run for no gain to the URI 20
6:072nd & 10 at own 20Malik Grant run for 6 yds to the URI 26
6:073rd & 4 at own 26Hunter Helms pass complete to Greg Gaines III for 18 yds to the URI 44 for a 1ST down
4:312nd & 7 at own 47Malik Grant run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
4:313rd & 4 at the 50Hunter Helms pass complete to Shawn Harris Jr. for 9 yds to the CCSU 41 for a 1ST down
4:311st & 10 at opp 41Malik Grant run for 3 yds to the CCSU 38
2:312nd & 7 at opp 38Hunter Helms pass complete to Tommy Smith for 38 yds for a TD (Ty Groff KICK)Rhode Island 7, Central Connecticut 0
2:311st & goal at opp 3PENALTY URI False Start 5 yards from CCSU03 to CCSU08. NO PLAY.
2:271st & 10 at own 35Will Johnson kickoff for 43 yds , Donny Marcus return for 9 yds to the CCSU 31
2:171st & 10 at own 31Brady Olson pass intercepted Emmanuel Gomes return for 42 yds for a TD (Ty Groff KICK)Rhode Island 14, Central Connecticut 0
Central Connecticut Punt, 5 plays
2:101st & 10 at own 35Will Johnson kickoff for 54 yds , Jadon Turner return for 42 yds to the URI 47
2:101st & 10 at opp 47Brady Olson pass complete to Paul Marsh Jr. for 5 yds to the URI 42
2:102nd & 5 at opp 42Elijah Howard run for 5 yds to the URI 37 for a 1ST down
2:101st & 10 at opp 37Elijah Howard run for 2 yds to the URI 35
0:002nd & 8 at opp 35Donny Marcus run for 1 yd to the URI 34
Q2 15:003rd & 7 at opp 34Brady Olson sacked by A.J. Pena for a loss of 8 yards to the URI 42
Q2 14:184th & 15 at opp 42Aidan Clark punt for 27 yds , Gabe Sloat returns for 2 yds to the URI 17
2nd quarter5 drives, then Rhode Island 14, Central Connecticut 7
Rhode Island Interception, 6 plays
14:181st & 10 at own 17Deon Silas run for a loss of 1 yard to the URI 16
14:182nd & 11 at own 16Deon Silas run for no gain to the URI 16
14:183rd & 11 at own 16Hunter Helms pass complete to Omari Walker for 14 yds to the URI 30 for a 1ST down
14:181st & 10 at own 30Malik Grant run for 20 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
14:181st & 10 at the 50No Huddle-Shotgun Grant,Malik rush middle for 7 yards gain to the CCSU43 (Jean,Christopher) PENALTY URI Illegal Shift (Walker,Omari) 5 yards from CCSU50 to URI45. NO PLAY.
14:181st & 15 at own 45Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
11:312nd & 15 at own 45Hunter Helms pass intercepted Malachi Wright return for 12 yds to the URI 48
Central Connecticut Touchdown, 8 plays
11:311st & 10 at opp 48Brady Olson pass complete to Dave Pardo for 7 yds to the URI 41
11:312nd & 3 at opp 41Elijah Howard run for 8 yds to the URI 33 for a 1ST down
11:311st & 10 at opp 33Brady Olson pass incomplete to Isaac Boston
11:312nd & 10 at opp 33Donny Marcus run for 5 yds to the URI 28
11:313rd & 5 at opp 28Brady Olson pass complete to Elijah Howard for 7 yds to the URI 21 for a 1ST down
11:311st & 10 at opp 21Elijah Howard run for 11 yds to the URI 10 for a 1ST down
11:311st & goal at opp 10Ricky Ortega run for a loss of 1 yard to the URI 11
7:252nd & goal at opp 11Brady Olson pass complete to Isaac Boston for 11 yds for a TD (Jack Barnum KICK)Rhode Island 14, Central Connecticut 7
Central Connecticut Turnover on downs, 7 plays
7:241st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 13 yds
7:241st & 10 at own 48Elijah Howard run for a loss of 1 yard to the CCSU 47
7:242nd & 11 at own 47Brady Olson pass incomplete to Michael Plaskon
7:243rd & 11 at own 47Brady Olson pass complete to Delvin Attafah for 17 yds to the URI 36 for a 1ST down
7:241st & 10 at opp 36Elijah Howard run for 5 yds to the URI 31
7:242nd & 5 at opp 31Elijah Howard run for 4 yds to the URI 27
7:243rd & 1 at opp 27Elijah Howard run for no gain to the URI 27
3:564th & 1 at opp 27Timeout Rhode Island, clock 03:56
3:524th & 1 at opp 27Brady Olson pass incomplete to Sean O’Brien
Rhode Island Turnover on downs, 11 plays
3:521st & 10 at own 27Hunter Helms pass complete to Greg Gaines III for 9 yds to the URI 36
3:522nd & 1 at own 36Malik Grant run for 2 yds to the URI 38 for a 1ST down
3:521st & 10 at own 38Malik Grant run for 4 yds to the URI 42
3:522nd & 6 at own 42Hunter Helms run for no gain to the URI 42
3:523rd & 6 at own 42Hunter Helms pass complete to Gabe Sloat for 10 yds to the CCSU 48 for a 1ST down
3:521st & 10 at opp 48Hunter Helms pass complete to Omari Walker for 6 yds to the CCSU 42
3:522nd & 4 at opp 42Hunter Helms pass complete to Greg Gaines III for 9 yds to the CCSU 33 for a 1ST down
3:521st & 10 at opp 33Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
3:522nd & 10 at opp 33Hunter Helms sacked for a loss of 8 yards to the CCSU 41
1:073rd & 18 at opp 41Timeout Rhode Island, clock 01:07
1:073rd & 18 at opp 41Hunter Helms pass complete to Marquis Buchanan for 11 yds to the CCSU 30
0:314th & 7 at opp 30Timeout Rhode Island, clock 00:31
0:264th & 7 at opp 30Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
Central Connecticut End of half, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 30Kneel down by Central Conn. St. at CCSU28 for loss of 2 yards.
3rd quarter6 drives, then Tied at 14
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Will Johnson kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
15:001st & 10 at own 25Brady Olson run for 6 yds to the CCSU 31
15:002nd & 4 at own 31Elijah Howard run for 1 yd to the CCSU 32
15:003rd & 3 at own 32Brady Olson pass incomplete to Dave Pardo
13:254th & 3 at own 32Aidan Clark punt for 66 yds
Rhode Island Interception, 4 plays
13:251st & 10 at own 2Malik Grant run for 4 yds to the URI 6
13:252nd & 6 at own 6Malik Grant run for 75 yds to the CCSU 19 for a 1ST down
13:251st & 10 at opp 19No Huddle-Shotgun Silas,Deon rush right for 2 yards gain to the CCSU17 (Anderson,Jayden) PENALTY URI Illegal Motion 5 yards from CCSU19 to CCSU24. NO PLAY.
13:251st & 15 at opp 24Shawn Harris Jr. run for 1 yd to the CCSU 23
11:092nd & 14 at opp 23Hunter Helms pass intercepted Christopher Jean return for 22 yds to the CCSU 27
Central Connecticut Punt, 4 plays
11:091st & 10 at own 27Donny Marcus run for 13 yds to the CCSU 40 for a 1ST down
11:091st & 10 at own 40Brady Olson pass incomplete to Paul Marsh Jr.
11:092nd & 10 at own 40Donny Marcus run for 4 yds to the CCSU 44
11:093rd & 6 at own 44Brady Olson pass incomplete to Elijah Howard
9:324th & 6 at own 44Aidan Clark punt for 37 yds , Shawn Harris Jr. returns for 2 yds to the URI 21
Rhode Island Turnover on downs, 10 plays
9:321st & 10 at own 21Malik Grant run for 5 yds to the URI 26
9:322nd & 5 at own 26Malik Grant run for 19 yds to the URI 45 for a 1ST down
9:321st & 10 at own 45Malik Grant run for 2 yds to the URI 47
9:322nd & 8 at own 47Hunter Helms pass complete to Greg Gaines III for 12 yds to the CCSU 41 for a 1ST down
9:321st & 10 at opp 41Malik Grant run for 7 yds to the CCSU 34
9:322nd & 3 at opp 34Malik Grant run for 5 yds to the CCSU 29 for a 1ST down
9:321st & 10 at opp 29Hunter Helms pass complete to Marquis Buchanan for 2 yds to the CCSU 27
9:322nd & 8 at opp 27Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
9:323rd & 8 at opp 27Hunter Helms pass complete to Gabe Sloat for 6 yds to the CCSU 21
4:524th & 2 at opp 21Malik Grant run for a loss of 4 yards to the CCSU 25
Central Connecticut Touchdown, 6 plays
4:521st & 10 at own 25Elijah Howard run for 40 yds to the URI 35 for a 1ST down
4:521st & 10 at opp 35Elijah Howard run for 2 yds to the URI 33
4:522nd & 8 at opp 33Jadon Turner run for 5 yds to the URI 28
4:523rd & 3 at opp 28Brady Olson pass complete to Elijah Howard for 22 yds to the URI 6 for a 1ST down
4:521st & goal at opp 6Elijah Howard run for no gain to the URI 6
1:272nd & goal at opp 6Brady Olson pass complete to Isaac Boston for 6 yds for a TD (Jack Barnum KICK)Tied at 14
Rhode Island Punt, 5 plays
0:561st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 50 yds
0:561st & 10 at own 17Malik Grant run for a loss of 4 yards to the URI 13
0:562nd & 14 at own 13Hunter Helms pass complete to Greg Gaines III for 23 yds to the URI 36 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at own 36Hunter Helms pass complete to Marquis Buchanan for 8 yds to the URI 44
Q4 15:002nd & 2 at own 44Hunter Helms pass incomplete to Marquis Buchanan
Q4 15:003rd & 2 at own 44Malik Grant run for 1 yd to the URI 45
Q4 14:024th & 1 at own 45Devin Walter punt for 43 yds, fair catch by Michael Plaskon at the CCSU 12
4th quarter6 drives, then Rhode Island 21, Central Connecticut 17
Central Connecticut Punt, 3 plays
14:021st & 10 at own 12Donny Marcus run for 2 yds to the CCSU 14
14:022nd & 8 at own 14Brady Olson pass incomplete to Maika Heck
14:023rd & 8 at own 14Brady Olson pass incomplete to Cameron Alves
13:034th & 8 at own 14Aidan Clark punt for 41 yds , Shawn Harris Jr. returns for 23 yds to the CCSU 32
Rhode Island Touchdown, 6 plays
13:031st & 10 at opp 32Malik Grant run for 4 yds to the CCSU 28
13:032nd & 6 at opp 28Malik Grant run for 2 yds to the CCSU 26
13:033rd & 4 at opp 26Hunter Helms pass complete to Shawn Harris Jr. for 11 yds to the CCSU 15 for a 1ST down
13:031st & 10 at opp 15Gabe Sloat run for 7 yds to the CCSU 8
13:032nd & 3 at opp 8Gabe Sloat run for 2 yds to the CCSU 6
9:423rd & 1 at opp 6Tommy Smith run for 6 yds for a TD (Ty Groff KICK)Rhode Island 21, Central Connecticut 14
Central Connecticut Field goal, 8 plays
9:381st & 10 at own 35Will Johnson kickoff for 55 yds , Jadon Turner return for 18 yds to the CCSU 28
9:381st & 10 at own 28Brady Olson pass complete to Michael Trovarelli for 35 yds to the URI 37 for a 1ST down
9:381st & 10 at opp 37Elijah Howard run for 17 yds to the URI 20 for a 1ST down
9:381st & 10 at opp 20Elijah Howard run for 2 yds to the URI 18
9:382nd & 8 at opp 18Brady Olson pass complete to Donny Marcus for 10 yds to the URI 8 for a 1ST down
9:381st & goal at opp 8Donny Marcus run for 4 yds to the URI 4
9:382nd & goal at opp 4Elijah Howard run for no gain to the URI 4
9:383rd & goal at opp 4Brady Olson sacked for a loss of 10 yards to the URI 14
4:474th & goal at opp 14Jack Barnum 32 yd FG GOODRhode Island 21, Central Connecticut 17
Rhode Island Punt, 8 plays
4:421st & 10 at own 35Jack Barnum kickoff for 56 yds , Deon Silas return for 17 yds to the URI 26
4:421st & 10 at own 26Malik Grant run for 8 yds to the URI 34
4:422nd & 2 at own 34Malik Grant run for 4 yds to the URI 38 for a 1ST down
4:421st & 10 at own 38Malik Grant run for 3 yds to the URI 41
4:422nd & 7 at own 41Malik Grant run for 6 yds to the URI 47
4:423rd & 1 at own 47Tommy Smith run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down
1:531st & 10 at the 50Timeout Rhode Island, clock 01:53
1:531st & 10 at the 50Malik Grant run for 6 yds to the CCSU 44
1:482nd & 4 at opp 44Timeout Rhode Island, clock 01:48
1:482nd & 4 at opp 44Malik Grant run for no gain to the CCSU 44
1:433rd & 4 at opp 44Timeout Rhode Island, clock 01:43
1:433rd & 4 at opp 44Malik Grant run for a loss of 1 yard to the CCSU 45
0:504th & 5 at opp 45Timeout Rhode Island, clock 00:50
0:434th & 5 at opp 45Devin Walter punt for 45 yds for a touchback
Central Connecticut Interception, 1 play
0:381st & 10 at own 20Brady Olson pass intercepted Jalen Neal return for a loss of 5 yards to the CCSU 30
Rhode Island End of game, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at opp 30Kneel down by Rhode Island at CCSU31 for loss of 1 yard.

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Central Connecticut–Rhode Island game

Rhode Island leads 5–⁠1 in six meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Rhode Island 27, Central Connecticut 19FCS Championship – First Round
2024Rhode Island 21, Central Connecticut 17FCS Championship – First Round
2014Central Connecticut 38, Rhode Island 14
2013Rhode Island 42, Central Connecticut 7
2005Rhode Island 56, Central Connecticut 10
2004Rhode Island 39, Central Connecticut 7

Around this game

Central Connecticut

Rhode Island

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 14