Rhode Island
With departure of veteran QB, who will be under center for Rhode Island football this fall
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Jim Fleming hasn’t had to answer this question since the beginning of the decade.
Kasim Hill was the University of Rhode Island’s starting quarterback. His four years included 36 games under center and progress to contender status in both the Coastal Athletic Association and in the race for a long-awaited FCS playoff berth.
Hill has finally left college after seven years – a final COVID redshirt extended his time with the Rams through last fall. Devin Farrell and Hunter Helms are the leading contenders to succeed him, last season’s backup and a Clemson transfer who exit spring practice on seemingly equal footing.
More: In a rapidly-changing world, this Rhode Island football tradition endures
“We’ve got tough decisions to make,” Fleming said. “That’s what it really comes down to. No one will know here until we know, which will probably be the day before Holy Cross.”
Saturday’s Blue-White Game at Meade Stadium offered no definite conclusion. Farrell and Helms will enter summer camp still competing after the Blue defense posted a 42-31 victory over the White offense.
Farrell threw the lone touchdown and Helms tossed the only interception of the day, which featured occasional rain squalls and a stiff breeze blowing across the turf.
“It’s been a great competition,” Helms said. “I don’t know if it’s over. Just pushing each other in the weight room, on and off the field. It definitely makes me better.”
“It has to come from within,” Farrell said. “It can’t be driven by other people around you. Yes, he’s there. He’s my competition. But I’m my competition. I have to get better every day.”
Helms closed 11-for-26 for 145 yards and profiles more as a pocket passer. He played nine games with the Tigers from 2020-23 and served as a backup to five-star prospects D.J. Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik. His only serious mistake was picked off by former Mount Pleasant star Fredrick Mallay, who matched former St. Raphael standout Moses Meus with five tackles, a sack and a pair of tackles for loss.
“We all love Kasim, but right now we’re focused on the future,” running back Jaden Griffin said. “We’ve got two good quarterbacks in front of us who have a lot of potential.”
Farrell finished 8-for-14 for 135 yards and added eight rushing attempts. He’s a dual threat who was also recruited out of high school as a defensive back. Farrell connected with former Classical star Marquis Buchanan on a 23-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, a pretty throw to the left corner of the end zone.
“I see great arm talent,” Buchanan said. “They’re both trying to be leaders out there and spread the ball around to the open man. We’re going to keep the QB battle going into camp and figure it out Aug. 31.”
Farrell redshirted in 2022 at Virginia Tech and played in six games last year at URI. He was a three-star prospect out of Georgia who held offers from Georgia Tech, Duke, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and more. Farrell left the Hokies after one season and flashed some of his versatility with the Rams when he got on the field last fall.
“I’ve been praying for this opportunity,” Farrell said. “I’ve been praying for this chance. It’s exciting. I’m loving every bit of it.”
Helms is a South Carolina native who was a preferred walk-on in his home state. He had interest from Bryant, Holy Cross, Campbell, Elon, Liberty, Troy, South Florida and more before enrolling with a national power. Helms has the Crusaders in common with his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach – Patrick Murphy left Worcester for Kingston prior to the 2020 season.
“It’s such a good place,” Helms said. “And I really think we can win here – that was also a big thing. Looking forward to seeing what we do this season.”
Griffin was the star in this one, rushing for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just five carries. His 65-yard score was arguably the highlight of the morning. Buchanan grabbed four passes for 84 yards as the top receiver in his position group, and both should be notable weapons when URI hosts Holy Cross in a 7 p.m. opener four months from now.
“I’m pleased generally with the whole thing,” Fleming said. “There’s plenty we’ve got to work on. We’re not ready yet.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On X: @BillKoch25
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
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.
Watch: Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
Watch as Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
PAWTUCKET — JJ Williams finally had his space and rose to the opportunity.
The Rhode Island FC striker, deep in the attacking zone, came back to a cross and headed Nick Scardina’s service to the near post to salvage the night for Rhode Island. Williams’ goal landed in the 86th minute to draw Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-1, in rain-soaked Pawtucket.
It’s the third draw in USL Championship play for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium this season. RIFC was turning in a familiar performance before snagging the tie against the league-leading Rowdies as Williams supplied his third regular-season goal of the year. The draw is the first time RIFC has earned a result after the opposition opened the scoring since its 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FC on July 5, 2025.
Rhode Island now travels to USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine for its second game of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup group stage on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m. The club returns to Pawtucket on May 23 against Brooklyn FC.
“All night they made it tough because they were doubling,” Williams said of Tampa Bay. “And wherever I went to, they were going contact first, especially in this league with no [Video Assistant Referee] … but on that one, the ball was so good that they spun around, and then I was able to make good contact.”
Rhode Island had a string of missed chances in the first 15 minutes that fed into a goal for Tampa Bay and then a triple substitution in the second half that provided little spark. Max Schneider’s cross from right of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the far post for a clinical header in the 29th minute in front of an announced attendance of 6,790.
The game’s first score came just 10 minutes after attempts from Hugo Bacharach and Jojea Kwizera were saved and Williams sailed an open shot past the bar.
“We tried to correct some of those things that we struggled with last week,” Williams said. “Getting to the ball, making tackles, making a stick, I think that we weren’t as clean in possession as we would have been, especially as we won the ball and played forward. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half where we could have seen more chances, but we did well to weather the storm early and create some. But for me, I [have] to bury that first one.”
Rhode Island creates plenty of chances — it is tied for fourth with 112 attempts — but has just 12 goals this season. If it had finished one of the early chances against Tampa Bay, it would’ve shifted the tenor of the match and forced the visitors to play outside of its form. But the final scoring sequence is still missing with the summer months coming soon.
“Happy with the spirit, happy with the effort, happy with the fight,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “You’ve seen that a lot with our team. They just fought to the end, never gave up, kept pushing. Ultimately, it’s two more points dropped at home, and we need to find a way to stop doing that. We need to be ruthless – just ruthless in front of the goal.”
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from May 9 drawing
Midday: 0-8-9-5
Evening: 0-9-4-7
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 9 drawing
08-13-24-27-34, Extra: 32
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing
08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02
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.
-
Wyoming4 minutes ago(LETTER) ‘Wyoming Advantage’ is disappearing for Gillette residents
-
Crypto10 minutes agoBitcoin Holds Above $81,500 as $135M in Leveraged Crypto Positions Get Liquidated
-
Finance16 minutes agoMorgan Stanley sees writing on wall for Citi before major change
-
Fitness22 minutes agoThis simple strength training trick builds more muscle and better technique—here’s how to try tempo training in your next home workout
-
Movie Reviews34 minutes ago‘Given Names’ is a Fascinating Exploration of Who We Are (Berlinale 2026 Film Review)
-
News52 minutes agoVideo: Americans Exposed to Hantavirus on Cruise Ship Arrive in United States
-
Politics58 minutes agoTrump Proposes Suspending Federal Gas Tax Until Prices Fall
-
Business1 hour agoKennedy Is Driving a Vast Inquiry Into Vaccines, Despite His Public Silence