PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said a car caught fire on Route 146 North in Providence Sunday morning.

Police and firefighters responded to the area just before the merge with Interstate 95 around 7:30.

Police said the driver pulled into the breakdown lane because he “smelled smoke” and the car caught fire.

The fire was put out without incident and the car was towed away.

SMITHFIELD — Saturday night was a coronation for Rhode Island FC.

The club already secured a playoff spot entering the regular-season finale against Miami FC and RIFC used all 90 minutes to celebrate its postseason berth. JJ Williams tallied three first-half goals and Rhode Island trounced Miami, 8–1,at Beirne Stadium.

Rhode Island finishes its first regular season at 12-7-15 and earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The club travels to fourth-seeded Indy Eleven for its inaugural playoff game on Sunday, Nov. 3. The start time is TBD.

“It’s a nice way to cap the season off at home and give the fans something to celebrate,” RIFC coach, Khano Smith said. “I don’t think [Miami], at the end, provided much resistance. We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves and think we are that good. We are definitely going to play a much better team next week.”

More: Here’s a look inside the Tidewater Landing soccer stadium ahead of next year’s season

More: Rhode Island FC releases season-ticket pricing for next year at Tidewater Landing

Noah Fuson started the first-half blitz with a goal in the 10^th minute and Williams doubled the advantage just six minutes later. Fuson corralled a Miami turnover at midfield and fed Williams for the easy score. Marc Ybarra made it 3-0 with a right-footed finish in the center of the box, while Williams added his second goal off a penalty spot.

“We haven’t done anything, we’ve qualified for the playoffs, but we’re going on the road,” Smith said. “We’re in no position to be taking anyone lightly or getting ahead of ourselves.”

Williams finished off the first-half hat trick, the first three-goal game in club history, with a deft move around the Miami keeper for an open-net score in the 45^th minute. Miami was the worst team in the USL this season finishing with just three wins and a minus-63 goal differential. Miami’s first-half score was the first goal the club managed since Aug. 14 against Memphis 901 FC.

Rhode Island rode its second-half momentum and added goals from Frank Nodarse, Albert Dikwa and Jojea Kwizera. The club bested its most goals in game this season by three.

Rhode Island finished with 51 points on the year and a plus-15 goal differential. They tied Indy Eleven in points but lost the head-to-head matchup as the teams drew, 3-3, in July and Indy topped Rhode Island, 1-0, in August. 

“A team that we haven’t beat, but certainly a team we think we can beat,” Smith said of Indy. “It’s going to be difficult, but I think we’re in really good form and we are healthy.”

jrousseau@providencejournal.com

On X: @ByJacobRousseau

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — A second full month has passed in this college football season, and the University of Rhode Island still shows no signs of slowing down.

Saturday afternoon was the latest measuring stick at Meade Stadium, a Homecoming that felt in danger of being spoiled for a few brief minutes. The Rams managed what has become a customary response in 2024, and the result was never really in doubt over the final 12 minutes.

Malik Grant’s rushing touchdown put the hosts in front to stay. The defense handled matters from there in a 24-14 victory over Maine, a result that helped No. 15 URI continue to rewrite its record books.

More: Rhode Island football continues to climb the CAA weekly poll; where the Rams stand now

The Rams hadn’t started 7-1 or better since 2001. That was also the last time URI won its first four conference games, and it came before a move from the Atlantic 10 to the Coastal Athletic Association. The next milestone year often referenced is 1985, and this was another step toward an FCS playoff berth last achieved in that magical season.

“We’re going into November with a very challenging schedule, but tremendous belief – and a good football team,” URI coach Jim Fleming said. “It’s just going to be one week at a time.”

Brian Santana-Fis capped a short drive with a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter. That drew the Black Bears into a 14-14 tie and sent some nervousness through the sellout crowd of 5,450 fans. Maine was a defensive stop and another effective possession from taking its second advantage of the afternoon.

The Rams didn’t allow that chance. Devin Farrell connected with Greg Gaines III for a first down and with Tommy Smith on a 46-yard bullet down the middle. That gave URI first and goal inside the 10, and Grant slipped his way 1 yard around right end to give the Rams a 21-14 lead.

“Every game we’ve started slow,” Farrell said. “The guys just keep working through it, and I’m so grateful to have them on my side.”

The Black Bears punted, turned it over on downs and ran out of time while coming up empty on each of their final three possessions. Maine was driving into a stiff breeze on what was otherwise a postcard day, and URI cranked up its aggression down the stretch. Devin Hightower’s sack on fourth down with 2:54 left just about finished it.

“Just trusting our offense that they’re going to do their part,” URI defensive back Emmanuel Gomes said. “We’re going to do our part.”

The Rams just might be making some of their own luck as well. Ty Groff’s insurance field goal was set up by a Farrell pass to the right that bounced off Omari Walker’s hands and right foot before sailing high in the air. Smith raced over in time to make a catch in traffic and Groff was good from 35 yards with 6:04 left.

“The ball’s bouncing right,” Fleming said. “Let’s keep it that way.”

Farrell’s pair of touchdown runs in the opening half came from 1 and 6 yards. URI (7-1, 4-0 CAA) overcame an early 7-0 deficit and took a 14-7 edge into the break. The Rams picked up all but one of their 24 first downs in the final three quarters, and Farrell closed with 221 total yards of offense.

“I would say the big guys up front – I believe 100% in those guys,” Farrell said. “They get it done when we need to get it done.”

The Black Bears (4-4, 2-3) were 5-for-6 on third down in the early going before slumping to a 3-for-11 finish. URI found a spark in the second quarter when Gomes thumped Jaharie Martin on a fourth down rush inside the Rams 30 to turn the ball over on downs. Maine was on the verge of asserting itself in a 7-0 game before Gomes changed the tone, with URI driving the other way to get on the board for the first time.

“Every fourth down is a big spark in the game,” Gomes said. “To be able to get a stop, you could say it’s a big spark.”

The Rams welcome Monmouth next Saturday, extending a span of three home games in four weeks. URI would clinch a winning record in conference for the second time in three years and continue to force the hand of the selection committee with another victory. That determination served the Rams well in the second half of this one against the Black Bears.

“What we had to do was keep the hammer on,” Fleming said. “Keep the pressure on. At some point they would break.

“And that’s not a negative on them – that’s just the game of football. Our kids have been very strong-willed.”

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25