Rhode Island

Rhode Island football shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s what they did vs. Maine

Published

1 year ago

October 26, 2024

Rhode Island football shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s what they did vs. Maine

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

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 10, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 10 drawing

16-21-30-35-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 10 drawing

Midday: 9-1-3-0

Evening: 4-2-1-9

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 10 drawing

11-12-16-27-34, Extra: 05

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 10 drawing

03-27-43-45-49, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Rhode Island

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Published

20 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Thousands drop public health insurance coverage in RI after premiums spike

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped their health insurance plans after federal subsidies expired.
Enrollment in HealthSource RI, the state’s marketplace, fell by 20% in early 2024.
The average premium for enrollees more than doubled as federal funding ended.

Thousands of Rhode Islanders dropped health insurance coverage through Rhode Island’s public insurance marketplace instead of maintaining plans with rising premiums and lower subsidies, HealthSource RI said.

Enrollment through HealthSource, Rhode Island’s “Obamacare” exchange, plunged 20% between the end of last year and the close of the annual enrollment period a month later, as federal funding for premium tax credits expired, according to a HealthSource new release.

There were 48,060 individual and family enrollments on Dec. 31 of last year, the day the premium subsidies from the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act ended.

On Feb. 1, there were 38,557 enrollments.

Before this drop, HealthSource has posted enrollment increases almost every year since Affordable Care Act exchanges launched in 2013.

How did we get here?

Last year, the Republican-controlled federal government declined to extend premium tax credits after a protracted budget battle with congressional Democrats, who are now negotiating to restore the health insurance subsidies.

The lapse in subsidies coincided with an increase in premiums, driven by a combination of factors, which sent the total cost of coverage climbing.

The average premium across HealthSource enrollees more than doubled (101%,) the exchange said, or $111 per person, per month.

Many enrollees opted for cheaper insurance plans despite their higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Others dropped coverage altogether.

“The increase in premiums, combined with the decrease in federal supports, makes this an incredibly challenging year for folks depending on HealthSource RI for health coverage,” HealthSource Director Lindsay Lang said in the release. “Having health coverage helps protect against one bad turn of luck becoming years of financial burden. We will work with every customer to find options that are best for their needs and budget, and continue to work with state leaders and our federal delegation to find long-term solutions.”

Could help be on the way?

Gov. Dan McKee included $9.5 million in his proposed state budget for the year starting July 1 to subsidize coverage for some of the lowest-income exchange enrollees.

The enrollment declines show that may be too little for some Rhode Islanders, and too late for others.

“It is disheartening but not surprising that, as President Trump’s policies have caused health insurance costs to skyrocket, more Rhode Islanders are struggling to pay for health coverage,” McKee said.

Since the exchange opened in 2013, Rhode Island’s uninsured rate has declined by two thirds, down to 2.2%, HealthSource said.

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Rhode Island

RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for March 9, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 9, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 9 drawing

22-23-28-36-54, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Numbers numbers from March 9 drawing

Midday: 5-7-4-4

Evening: 2-1-3-2

Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Wild Money numbers from March 9 drawing

02-14-16-34-35, Extra: 10

Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 9 drawing

06-16-26-41-43, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.

When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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