Rhode Island
Saturday’s loss to Delaware hurts Rhode Island football’s ranking; where the Rams sit now
The URI football has a winning season and new life in the program
The URI Rams have a new life as winning season and funding drives pile up.
Journal Staff
The end of a football winning streak for the University of Rhode Island led to a drop in the FCS polls.
The Rams suffered a defeat at Delaware on Saturday and slipped four spots to No. 15. The release on Monday morning still left URI among the four Coastal Athletic Association teams inside the national elite.
The Blue Hens built a lead thanks to 17 unanswered points and held on for a 24-21 victory, finally slowing the Rams after seven straight victories. That was their longest stretch of success since 1985, which was also the last time URI reached the FCS playoffs. The Rams still have real hopes of ending that drought entering their last two games, including Saturday’s home matchup with Albany.
“We wanted that game and we thought we had opportunities to win it,” URI coach Jim Fleming said during a Monday conference call. “We just weren’t able to get it done. We took it pretty hard.”
Delaware enjoyed a 203-89 advantage in rushing yards and took the lead for good on a Nate Reed field goal with 0:23 left in the first half. Jake Thaw’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Nick Minicucci late in the third quarter made it a 24-14 game, and URI couldn’t make up the difference. Hunter Helms threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Greg Gaines with 6:23 left, but the Rams came no closer.
“They know we’ve got to bounce back and go to work,” Fleming said. “When you really look at it, all of our games have been tight. They could have gone one way or the other based on a couple of plays.”
The Rams played the majority of their matchup against the Blue Hens without quarterback Devin Farrell, who finished just 2-for-4 passing and left in the first quarter. Fleming declined to specify Farrell’s injury but said he would be day to day leading into the 1 p.m. kickoff against the Great Danes at Meade Stadium. Helms came off the bench to go 15-for-23 and toss a pair of touchdown passes.
“He got a little banged up,” Fleming said. “We went through some medical stuff on Saturday and thought it was best just to keep him out.
“He’s day to day. We think he’s probable for the weekend.”
URI (8-2, 5-1 CAA) will honor its 22 pending graduates prior to the game against Albany (3-7, 1-5). Fleming made an appeal for a fifth sellout in six home dates this season, with the Rams playing in front of a full house in each of their last three. URI hasn’t won as many as nine games in a season in 39 years and has never won more than five CAA games since joining the league in the 2000s.
“It means an awful lot,” Fleming said. “It’s something we’ve been chasing since I walked on campus here 11 years ago.”
No. 9 Villanova, No. 11 Richmond and No. 16 Stony Brook were also included in this week’s rankings. The Spiders lead the CAA race at 6-0, one game ahead of the Rams, Wildcats and Seawolves. Delaware is also 5-1 against CAA opponents but is ineligible for a playoff berth or league title due to its ongoing transition up to the FBS ranks.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
Rhode Island
RI Lottery Mega Millions, Numbers Midday winning numbers for April 24, 2026
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 24, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 24 drawing
07-16-32-35-40, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from April 24 drawing
Midday: 0-4-5-0
Evening: 7-4-2-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from April 24 drawing
05-11-19-29-36, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money 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.
Rhode Island
Six animals test positive for rabies in Providence County, health officials warn – What’s Up Newp
At least six animals in Providence County have tested positive for rabies over the past six weeks, the Rhode Island Department of Health said Friday, prompting a renewed warning to residents to steer clear of wildlife and keep pet vaccinations current.
Since March 12, three raccoons in Burrillville, one bat and one coyote in Lincoln, and one raccoon in Providence have tested positive for the virus, according to the department, known as RIDOH. Test results on a raccoon from North Smithfield are pending.
Rabies vector species in Rhode Island include bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs and beavers, the department said. The virus attacks the central nervous system and, without prompt medical care after exposure, can cause fatal brain disease. Health officials stressed that treatment must begin as soon as possible after a suspected exposure and that people should not wait for symptoms to develop.
Residents who see a wild animal behaving erratically should not approach it and should contact their local animal control officer, RIDOH said. Anyone who has physical contact with a wild animal, or who wakes up to find a bat in their home, should call RIDOH’s Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 401-222-2577 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 401-276-8046 after hours.
People bitten or scratched should wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention immediately, the department said. Pet owners whose animals tangle with wildlife should contact their municipal animal control officer and RIDOH.
State law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be up to date on rabies vaccinations. Health officials said vaccinating pets protects the animals and prevents people from being exposed to the virus through them.
To reduce the risk of rabies, RIDOH recommends that residents avoid contact with stray or free-roaming domestic animals and wild animals, refrain from feeding either, and keep pet food indoors to avoid attracting wildlife. The department also urges owners to walk dogs on leashes or confine them to fenced yards, report all animal bites to local animal control, and secure garbage cans against scavenging animals.
More information is available at www.health.ri.gov/rabies.
Rhode Island
Silver Alert issued for missing man in Cumberland, RI
Police in Cumberland, Rhode Island, issued a Silver Alert for a missing 83-year-old man they say is endangered.
John “Jack” Thornhill was last seen around 7:30 a.m. Thursday at his home in the Branch Avenue neighborhood, police said. He is believed to have left on foot.
Thornhill is described as having white hair and brown eyes with glasses.
When he was last seen, Thornhill was wearing a red sweatshirt, grey gym shorts and Crocs.
Anyone with information is asked to call 401-333-2500 or dial 911.
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