Grant rushes for 3 TDs, Rhode Island blocks FG try on final play in rallying for 20-17 victory

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Malik Grant rushed for three second-half touchdowns and Wesley Neal Jr. blocked a field-goal attempt on the game’s final play as Rhode Island rallied to beat Albany 20-17 on Saturday.

With the Rams (9-2, 6-1 Coastal Athletic Association) trailing 17-0 at halftime to the Great Danes (3-8, 1-6), Grant scored on runs of 42, 3 and 7 yards, the final touchdown coming with 9:36 left in the fourth quarter.

Albany had a short field for its final drive after Jacari Carter returned a punt 23 yards to the Rhode Island 24 with 1:27 remaining. The Great Danes were third-and-18 on the Rhode Island 19 when they went for the field goal but John Opalko’s 36-yard try was blocked. Albany’s previous drive ended when Weber’s pass from the Rhode Island 11 was picked off by Andre Depina-Gray at the 3.

Grant finished with 100 yards on 25 carries. Hunter Helms threw for 248 yards but was intercepted twice.

Van Weber threw for 354 yards on 31-of-51 passing with two touchdowns for Albany but was also intercepted twice. Levi Wentz caught nine passes for 138 yards.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up