Rhode Island retained the Governor's Cup with a 13-10 victory over Brown on Saturday, using a strong rushing attack and a late defensive stand before Ty Groff's game-winning field goal in the final seconds.
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The Rams controlled much of the game on the ground, finishing with 217 rushing yards behind Gabe Winowich's 85-yard effort. Rhode Island led 3-0 at halftime before Brown seized momentum early in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on a forced fumble deep in Rams territory and converting it into a 1-yard touchdown run by Qwentin Brown for a 10-3 lead.
Rhode Island answered immediately when Alex McClelland connected with Marquis Buchanan for a 68-yard gain before scoring on a 12-yard quarterback keeper to tie the game. After forcing Brown to punt with just over a minute remaining, the Rams drove into field-goal range and Groff converted a 43-yard kick with 11 seconds left to put Rhode Island ahead for good.
James Murphy threw for 271 yards for Brown, while Buchanan led all receivers with 90 yards. Brown outgunned Rhode Island through the air, but the Rams' 217 rushing yards and late-game execution proved decisive in the rivalry matchup.
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7:02 PM
Rhode Island Edges Brown Behind Late Game-Winning Field Goal
Rhode Island scored the final 10 points of the game, including Ty Groff's 43-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining, to earn a 13-10 victory over Brown in the Governor's Cup matchup.
Statistical Leaders:
- Brown QB James Murphy — 21/37, 271 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT; 6 CAR, -1 YDS
- Brown RB Matt Childs — 13 CAR, 37 YDS, 0 TD; 6 REC, 64 YDS
- Brown WR Jadon Garza-Pender — 3 REC, 66 YDS, 0 TD
- Rhode Island QB Alex McClelland — 6/11, 83 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT; 6 CAR, 25 YDS, 1 TD
- Rhode Island RB Gabe Winowich — 23 CAR, 85 YDS, 0 TD
- Rhode Island WR Marquis Buchanan — 5 REC, 90 YDS, 0 TD
6:55 PM
Final: Rhode Island Defeats Brown 13-10
Rhode Island holds on for a 13-10 victory in the Governor's Cup matchup. Brown had one final chance after Ty Groff's go-ahead field goal with 11 seconds remaining, but the Bears were unable to produce a game-winning play on the final snap. Groff's 43-yard kick proved to be the difference as the Rams escape with the three-point win.
6:50 PM
Rhode Island Takes Late Lead
Rhode Island has regained the lead with 11 seconds remaining. After forcing a Brown three-and-out, the Rams took over near midfield and quickly moved into field-goal range. A personal foul on Brown helped set up the opportunity, and Ty Groff drilled a 43-yard field goal to give Rhode Island a 13-10 advantage with just seconds left in regulation.
6:38 PM
Two-Minute Warning: Rhode Island Driving
The two-minute warning arrives with Brown and Rhode Island tied 10-10 and the Rams driving in Bears territory. Brown appeared to convert a fourth down deep in Rhode Island territory earlier in the quarter, but a personal foul wiped out the play and eventually forced a punt. Rhode Island has since put together a methodical drive behind quarterback Alex McClelland and running back Gabe Winowich, moving the ball to the Brown 46 as the game heads into its final two minutes.
6:24 PM
Rhode Island Answers Immediately
Rhode Island responds right away to Brown’s go-ahead touchdown. Alex McClelland connects with Marquis Buchanan for a 68-yard gain to move the Rams deep into Brown territory, then scores on a 12-yard quarterback keeper two plays later. Ty Groff's extra point ties the game at 10-10.
6:20 PM
Brown Takes First Lead Of The Day
Brown capitalizes on the late third-quarter turnover and punches in the game's first touchdown. The Bears convert a fourth-and-1 at the Rhode Island 4 on a direct snap to Matt Childs, then score two plays later when Qwentin Brown powers into the end zone from 1 yard out. Drew Crabtree adds the extra point, giving Brown a 10-3 lead with 13:29 remaining.
6:12 PM
Brown Recovers Another Fumble To End Third Quarter
Rhode Island's offense suffers another costly turnover late in the third quarter. Tyler Budge is sacked by Tommy Dunn, fumbles and is recovered by Dunn to give Brown possession in the red zone. Matt Childs gains five yards on the final play of the quarter as Brown and Rhode Island remain tied 3-3 entering the fourth.
6:08 PM
Rhode Island Intercepts Murphy
Rhode Island quickly gets the ball back after the game-tying field goal, but the Rams go three-and-out and punt to Brown. The Bears then move into Rhode Island territory behind completions to Pearson Hill and Matt Childs, with a personal foul adding 15 yards to the drive. The possession ends when Ethan McCann-Carter intercepts James Murphy at the Rhode Island 14.
5:58 PM
Brown Answers With A Field Goal
Brown responds to Rhode Island’s fumble with a long scoring drive, covering 78 yards and converting a key fourth-down opportunity. James Murphy connects with Matt Childs for 27 yards on third-and-19, and Drew Crabtree finishes the drive with a 33-yard field goal. The game is tied 3-3 with 3:11 remaining in the third.
5:50 PM
Rhode Island Drives Deep But Fumbles
Brown goes three-and-out to open the second half, and Rhode Island quickly moves into the red zone behind a strong rushing attack. BJ Barrow breaks off a 24-yard run before Tyler Budge takes off for a 10-yard gain, but Budge fumbles. Max Malo forces the fumble, and Caden Harman recovers for Brown with 8:18 remaining in the third quarter.
5:38 PM
Second Half Underway
The second half is underway with Brown receiving the opening kickoff. Pearson Hill fair catches Ty Groff’s 47-yard kickoff at the Brown 18 as the Bears begin the third quarter trailing Rhode Island 3-0.
5:24 PM
End Of Half - Rhode Island Leads 3-0
Statistical Leaders:
- Brown QB James Murphy — 5/13, 118 YDS, 0 TD, 0 INT; 2 CAR, -16 YDS
- Brown RB Matt Childs — 6 CAR, 9 YDS, 0 TD
- Brown WR Jadon Garza-Pender — 2 REC, 47 YDS, 0 TD
- Rhode Island QB Tyler Budge — 9/14, 61 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT; 5 CAR, 18 YDS
- Rhode Island RB Gabe Winowich — 12 CAR, 38 YDS, 0 TD
- Rhode Island WR Kevin Green Jr. — 3 REC, 20 YDS, 0 TD; 1 CAR, 18 YDS
5:18 PM
Rhode Island Takes 3-0 Lead Into Halftime
Rhode Island breaks the scoreless tie with a 43-yard field goal from Ty Groff with 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Rams put together a strong late drive to reach the Brown 26, then Groff converted to give Rhode Island a 3-0 lead at halftime.
5:06 PM
Two-Minute Warning: Rhode Island Threatens
The two-minute warning has arrived with Rhode Island driving into Brown territory. Kevin Green Jr. broke off an 18-yard run before Tyler Budge connected with Sean Byrd for 23 yards, moving the Rams to the Brown 37.
4:58 PM
Rhode Island, Brown Again Come Up Empty
Rhode Island puts together a long drive into Brown territory but is stopped on fourth down at the Brown 45 and punts. Brown responds with a 37-yard completion to Saphir Miller, but the Bears also stall in Rams territory and punt for a touchback.
4:45 PM
Brown, Rhode Island Trade Punts
Brown and Rhode Island trade three-and-outs to open the second quarter. Brown then moves into Rhode Island territory behind a 30-yard completion from James Murphy to Carson Hill, but the drive stalls at the URI 46. The Bears punt for a touchback with 10:11 remaining in the first half.
4:32 PM
Scoreless After One Quarter
Brown and Rhode Island remain scoreless after a defensive opening quarter. Rhode Island drove into Brown territory late, but Tyler Budge’s deep pass intended for Sean Byrd is intercepted by Camryn Williams-Dalton. Brown takes over to begin the second quarter at its own 27.
4:24 PM
Brown Punts After Long Completion
Rhode Island moves into Brown territory but comes up empty after its drive stalls at the Brown 41, forcing a punt. Brown then gets a 42-yard completion from James Murphy to Jadon Garza-Pender, but the Bears also fail to capitalize and punt back to the Rams with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter.
4:16 PM
Brown Defense Forces Turnover On Downs
Brown’s defense comes up with a key stop, breaking up a fourth-down pass to force Rhode Island to turn the ball over on downs at the Brown 35. The Bears go three-and-out on the next drive, and Rhode Island takes over at its own 38.
4:00 PM
Kickoff Is Underway
The Governor's Cup matchup is underway in Pawtucket. Brown wins the toss and defers to the second half, giving Rhode Island the opening possession as the Rams begin the first drive of the game.
3:45 PM
Brown's Matt Childs Nears 1,000 Career Rushing Yards
Brown junior tailback Matt Childs enters this week's game 12 yards shy of reaching 1,000 career rushing yards, a mark that would make him the 29th player in program history to reach the milestone. Childs also ranks 10th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (141.00).
3:30 PM
Rhode Island's Home Winning Streak
Rhode Island extended its home winning streak to 16 games with a victory over Elon on Sept. 12. The streak, which dates to 2023, is the longest active home winning streak in the nation and in program history. The Rams' last home loss came Oct. 14, 2023, when they fell 24-17 to Richmond.
3:15 PM
110th Meeting Between Rhode Island And Brown
Rhode Island and Brown will meet for the 110th time Saturday afternoon. Brown is Rhode Island's most common opponent in program history, with the first meeting between the teams taking place on Sept. 29, 1909. Brown leads the all-time series 74-33-2, but since the Governor's Cup was introduced in 1981, Rhode Island holds a 23-20 advantage in games played for the trophy.
3:00 PM
Rhode Island Rams 2026 Football Schedule
- Oct. 3 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Brown
- Oct. 17 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – at Yale
- Oct. 24 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs UAlbany
- Oct. 31 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Maine
- Nov. 7 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at New Hampshire
- Nov. 14 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Towson
- Nov. 21 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at Bryant
2:45 PM
Brown Bears 2026 Football Schedule
- Oct. 3 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Rhode Island
- Oct. 10 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Bryant
- Oct. 17 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – at Princeton
- Oct. 24 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Cornell
- Oct. 31 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Penn
- Nov. 7 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – at Yale
- Nov. 14 (Sat), 12:00 p.m. ET – vs Columbia
- Nov. 21 (Sat), 1:00 p.m. ET – at Dartmouth
2:30 PM
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