The 42nd Governor’s Cup will ignite once more this Saturday, as the Rhode Island Rams (4-1, 2-0 CAA Football) host the Brown Bears (2-1, 1-0 Ivy League) in one of the oldest football rivalries in New England. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Meade Stadium, and while history may favor Brown in the overall series (73-32-2), the Rams have recently taken control, winning five straight against their cross-state rivals.
Rhode Island’s Quest for Six Straight Cups
Since the introduction of the Governor’s Cup in 1981, Rhode Island has claimed 22 of the 41 meetings, inching ahead of Brown’s 19 Cup victories. A win on Saturday would secure URI’s sixth consecutive Governor’s Cup, marking the first time either team has accomplished that feat. The Rams have been nothing short of dominant in their recent five-game streak, outscoring the Bears 196-92 and demonstrating a comprehensive mastery on both sides of the ball.
Head coach Jim Fleming, now in his 10th season at the helm, has turned Meade Stadium into a fortress, losing only once to Brown on his home turf. That lone defeat came in 2014 during Fleming’s first season, but since then, the Rams have owned this matchup in Kingston. Last year’s 34-30 thriller in Providence was no exception, with URI eking out a win thanks to a crucial fourth-quarter interception by Syeed Gibbs and a standout defensive effort from linebacker A.J. Pena.
Homecoming for the Rams
Saturday marks Rhode Island’s first home game in nearly a month, following a 21-9 victory over Campbell back on September 14. Meade Stadium has been kind to the Rams, who have gone 4-1 at home in each of the last three seasons. A raucous crowd is expected for this showdown, with Governor Daniel McKee on hand to present the Governor’s Cup to the victor.
Twenty-one Rhody players hail from the Ocean State, including a quintet from Providence, making this a true in-state rivalry with deep roots in the local community. Players like wide receiver Marquis Buchanan and defensive stalwarts Fredrick Mallay and Bless Nyanneh will be eager to show out in front of a home crowd.
Ground Game Powering the Rams
Rhode Island’s run game has been surging, putting up over 200 rushing yards in back-to-back games, most recently amassing 273 yards against Hampton. Running back Malik Grant, a Sacred Heart transfer, has been at the heart of that success, racking up 434 yards on 69 carries and four touchdowns on the season. Grant’s back-to-back 100-yard performances have made him a key cog in URI’s offense as they look to keep momentum rolling against Brown.
Deon Silas, another crucial piece in the backfield, punched in his first two touchdowns of the season last week, providing a dynamic one-two punch that should keep the Bears on their heels. If URI can continue to dominate on the ground, they’ll be hard to stop on Saturday.
Brown Looks to Turn the Tide
On the other side, Brown enters the contest with a 2-1 record, fresh off a dramatic last-minute comeback win over Harvard. The Bears have built a reputation as a resilient squad, with four of their last six wins coming in the final quarter. Freshman running back Matt Childs has been the standout performer, earning Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors for two consecutive weeks. Childs led Brown in both rushing (58 yards) and receiving (93 yards) last week, adding two touchdowns to his growing highlight reel.
Brown’s offense has shown a penchant for big plays, with four of their 12 touchdowns coming on plays of 45 yards or more, including an 87-yard bomb to Solomon Miller to open the season. But while their offense can be explosive, Brown’s vulnerability on the offensive line has been a concern, as they’ve given up 10 sacks through three games.
What’s at Stake
For Rhode Island, a win means extending their dominance in the Governor’s Cup series and keeping their strong start to the season alive. For Brown, it’s a chance to reclaim the Cup for the first time since 2015 and notch their best start since 2013. As always with this rivalry, pride and bragging rights are on the line.
With the stakes high and the rivalry deep, the 108th meeting between these two programs promises to be another classic. Will the Rams make history with their sixth straight Cup win, or will the Bears pull off a stunning upset? All eyes will be on Meade Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
Like Newport Buzz? We depend on the generosity of readers like you who support us, to help with our mission to keep you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We truly appreciate your trust and support!
