Central Connecticut’s 4th Quarter Rally Falls Short, 27-19, URI Wins FCS Playoff Game

Central Connecticut’s 4th Quarter Rally Falls Short, 27-19, URI Wins FCS Playoff Game

The Central Connecticut State football team had an opportunity in the final minute of the game, but a last pass towards the end zone was broken up, and #9 URI prevailed 27-19 in the FCS Playoff First Round at Meade Stadium in Kingston.

The Blue Devils finished the 2025 campaign at 8-5 and as back-to-back NEC Champions. The program made its first-ever consecutive FCS Playoff appearances this season, after going 6-1 in league play to capture a record eighth NEC title. 

A field goal as time expired in the first half put the host Rams on top 24-7, but the Blue Devils allowed just three second-half points as they charged back in the fourth quarter. 

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CCSU scored three times in the final period, with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Brady Olson and a pair of Jack Hennessey field goals, to fuel the comeback. 

The Rams' QB Devin Farrell was 24-38 for 365 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

And, URI receiver Marquis Buchanan had seven catches for 101 yards and a TD.

 

KEY MOMENTS 

- The Blue Devils were forced into a pair of three-and-outs in their first two possessions. The Rams would take advantage by scoring a pair of touchdowns following the punts.

- URI would cover 62 yards in 10 plays to open the scoring after Devin Farrell hit Connor Finer for a 28-yard touchdown to make it 7-0. On their second drive, the Rams covered 58 yards in just three plays, capped off by a 25-yard scoring reception by Marquis Buchanan. 

- Central would regroup and respond just before the end of the opening quarter with their first score of the game. Brady Olson would go 9-for-13 for 72 yards on a 16-play drive that included a fourth-down conversion and was capped off by a three-yard scoring pass to Elijah Howard with 0:02 left in the opening period. 

- CCSU would force a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, but after a failed fourth down, URI would get the ball back on their own 23-yard line. The Rams would move the ball 77 yards but faced a fourth-and-goal that Antwain Littleton, Jr. converted with a plunge from a yard out for the 21-7 lead. 

- The Rams would extend their lead at the end of the first half after taking over following a CCSU punt. They would cover 51 yards to move into field goal range and Garth White's 42-yard kick as time expired in the half pushed the lead to 24-7. 

- Zach Bonini converted a fourth-down on a fake punt, carrying the ball 16-yards late in the third quarter that kept a Blue Devils' drive alive. CCSU would capitalize seven plays later when Olson passed to Damani Williams for a 25-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-13 after the PAT was blocked. 

- Dekavis Preston returned an interception 59 yards on the next possession to set up first-and-goal at the Rams ' seven-yard line. The Blue Devils would be kept out of the endzone, but Jack Hennessey would convert an 18-yard field goal to make it 24-16. 

- The teams traded field goals down the stretch. The Rams would use nearly five minutes to cover 56 yards and kick a 26-yard field goal to make it 27-16 with 5:03 remaining. CCSU came back, covering 64 yards and Hennessey converted from 28 yards to make it 27-19 with 2:03 to play. 

- The Blue Devils' defense would force a punt with 1:36 to play. CCSU took over on its own 5-yard line and a pair of timeouts. The drive would cross midfield before losing steam. A last-second Hail Mary was knocked down, and the Rams would hold on for the win. 

Attendance was reported at less than 2,900.

 

NEXT:

FCS Playoffs - Second Round: #8 UC Davis vs #9 Rhode Island

Sat, Dec 6, 2025 ⦁ 7:00 pm
UC Davis Health Stadium