Rhode Island Football Is 1-0: Takeaways From The Rams' Win Over Merrimack

No. 8 Rhode Island football defeated Merrimack 34-7. Here are five takeaways from the Rams’ victory and a look at their upcoming schedule.

Sep 2, 2026 by Ajay Shah

Rhode Island Football Is 1-0: Takeaways From The Rams' Win Over Merrimack

Rhode Island Football entered the 2026 season with expectations of contending for another CAA championship and making a third consecutive appearance in the FCS playoffs.

The Rams’ opening performance did little to lower those expectations. No. 8 Rhode Island came out ready to knock heads in its first game of the season.

Rhode Island defeated Merrimack 34-7 on Aug. 28, beginning its season with a commanding road victory. The two-time defending CAA champion scored in every quarter, forced four turnovers and held Merrimack scoreless for the final 50:15.

Rhode Island remains No. 8 in the latest AFCA FCS Coaches Poll following the victory. The Rams will now step up to face FBS opponent Temple before opening CAA play against Elon.

Here are five takeaways from Rhode Island’s season-opening victory, along with information about the Rhode Island Rams’ upcoming schedule.

Rhode Island’s Defense Can Take Over Games

The first takeaway from Rhode Island’s victory is that the Rams have a defense capable of changing the game.

Merrimack tied the score at 7 in the first quarter but did not score again. Rhode Island forced three defensive turnovers and recovered another fumble on special teams.

Rams safety Andre DePina-Gray intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 75 yards, ending a Merrimack scoring opportunity. Linebacker Moses Meus provided the final points of the game with a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown.

D.J. Cureton, Marquese Avery and Dylan Yang each recorded a sack. Linebackers Dane Picariello and Rohan Davy led Rhode Island with nine tackles apiece.

Even though Merrimack had 355 offensive yards and possessed the ball for more than 36 minutes, these Rhode Island plays and players set the tone on defense and held Merrimack scoreless for the final 50 minutes of game time.

The Rams have Depth at QB

Rhode Island fans can sleep soundly knowing their team has depth at the quarterback position.

Backup quarterback Tyler Budge started against Merrimack in place of the injured Devin Farrell and helped Rhode Island win without committing a single turnover.

Budge completed 13 of 29 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 51 yards, finishing second on the team in rushing.

His first touchdown pass as a Ram was a 16-yard completion to Marquis Buchanan on Rhode Island’s opening possession.

Budge did not produce overwhelming passing numbers, but he protected the football and contributed as a runner.

Something to note: Rhode Island has not publicly announced starting quarterback Devin Farrell’s status for the Temple game.

Marquis Buchanan Remains Rhode Island’s Most Reliable Offensive Weapon

Buchanan entered the season as one of the most accomplished receivers in the FCS, and it did not take him long to make an impact.

The fifth-year receiver caught six passes for 72 yards and Rhode Island’s first touchdown. No other Rams player recorded more than two receptions.

Buchanan now has 21 career touchdown receptions, tying Shawn Leonard for fifth in Rhode Island program history.

With Rhode Island preparing to face FBS member Temple, Buchanan again figures to be the most important player in the Rams’ passing game.

Rhode Island Still Has Offensive Questions To Answer

While Rhode Island won by 27 points, the final score does not tell the entire story.

Merrimack outgained Rhode Island 355-297 and recorded 20 first downs to Rhode Island’s 18. The Warriors also won the time-of-possession battle, controlling the ball for 36:01.

These numbers are a little skewed, as both turnovers and pulled starters were factors in the difference in offensive yardage.

Rhode Island did not turn the ball over, while Merrimack committed four turnovers that created scoring opportunities or ended promising possessions.

The Merrimack Win Confirmed Rhode Island’s National Standing

Rhode Island remains at No. 8 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, which was released Aug. 31 after Rhode Island began the season with its decisive victory.

The Rams received 463 points and finished just three points behind No. 7 Youngstown State.

Rhode Island also was the only CAA program ranked in the coaches poll.

CAA members Maine, Monmouth, Elon, and Campbell received votes but all remained outside the Top 25.

The ranking reinforces Rhode Island’s position as an early CAA favorite.

Rhode Island Football’s Upcoming CAA Games

Rhode Island will begin its pursuit of a third consecutive CAA championship against Elon at noon ET on Sept. 12 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

UPCOMING

2026 Elon vs Rhode Island

Sat, Sep 12 · 4:00 PM UTC

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The Rams will then play three consecutive road games, including conference matchups against Stony Brook on Sept. 19 and North Carolina A&T on Sept. 26.

Here is Rhode Island’s complete 2026 CAA schedule:

Sept. 12: vs. Elon
Sept. 19: at Stony Brook
Sept. 26: at North Carolina A&T
Oct. 24: vs. UAlbany
Oct. 31: vs. Maine
Nov. 7: at New Hampshire
Nov. 14: vs. Towson
Nov. 21: at Bryant

What Ranked Teams Will Rhode Island Football Play?

Based on the Aug. 31 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, No. 18 Yale is the only currently ranked team remaining on Rhode Island’s regular-season schedule.

Rhode Island visits Yale at noon ET on Oct. 17 in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale has not yet played this season and will not open its schedule until Sept. 19.

Several CAA opponents could move into the rankings before playing Rhode Island. Elon and Maine are currently receiving votes in the AFCA poll. Rankings will change throughout the season, meaning Rhode Island could face additional ranked opponents by the time those games arrive.

Who Does Rhode Island Play Next?

The Rams face Temple at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rhode Island is seeking its first victory over an FBS opponent since defeating UMass 35-22 in 2021. The Rams are 2-21 all time against FBS opponents.

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