Pawtucket Native Jaylen Smith Runs for Career Day with URI

Later in the quarter, Jaylen Smith broke off a 72-yard touchdown run to make the score 35-16.

Merriweather had a 1-yard plunge with 8:50 to go to trim the Rhode Island lead to 35-22. That was where the scoring ended as Rhode Island clinched its third winning season in four years.

Inside the Box Score
Redshirt senior L.B. Mack III had six tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. It was just the seventh time in program history a URI player had three or more sacks in a game, and the first since Brandon Ginnetti did so at UAlbany in 2017.
Mack moved into a tie for sixth place in program history with 19.0 career sacks and a tie for third in team history with 34.5 career tackles for loss.
Redshirt freshman Evan Stewart had a team-high seven tackles.
Freshman defensive tackle Westley Neal, Jr had two tackles for loss.
Redshirt junior Kasim Hill passed for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 32 yards and two touchdowns.
Rhode Island improved to 6-0 when Hill rushes for 30 or more yards.
Freshman Jaylen Smith had his first career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 111 yards on 16 carries, including his first career rushing touchdown. The touchdown came on a 72-yard run.
The 72-yard rush was the longest for URI since Jerell Jones had an 84-yard run against James Madison on Oct. 13, 2007.
Redshirt junior Ed Lee’s touchdown catch was his first of the season and second of his career.
Redshirt senior Joey Kenny had two catches for 37 yards, including the third touchdown reception of his career.
Junior Paul Woods had three catches for 55 yards, while senior Ivory Frimpong had two catches for 47 yards.
Senior Coby Tippett had his second punt return of 50 yards or longer this season. His 56-yard punt return in the first quarter set up URI’s first touchdown, giving the Rams first-and-goal at the UMass 8-yard line.
Tippett now has 173 punt return yards on the season, the ninth-highest single-season total in program history.
Senior C.J. Carrick was 5-for-5 on extra points and now has 256 career points, tying him with Jayson Davis (2002-05) for the school record.
Redshirt freshman tight end Brady Roark made his first career start in place of Caleb Warren, who missed the game with injury.
Game captains were Caleb Warren and Coby Tippett, while the anchor bearer was L.B. Mack III.
What’s Next
Rhode Island plays its final home game of the season when it hosts New Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 13. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. Before the game, the team will hold its Senior Day ceremony.