Yale’s two-game winning streak is officially toast, dropping a tough 41-23 decision to Rhode Island on Saturday at the Yale Bowl. And the bitter pill? Sophomore running back Hugo Djeumeni Kemeni went absolutely OFF for 243 yards on 36 carries and one touchdown, yet it still couldn’t save the Bulldogs from falling to 3-2 on the season.
Rhode Island Came Out Firing, Yale Couldn’t Keep Up
Right from the jump, Rhode Island made their intentions clear, striking twice in the first quarter with long touchdown passes to build a quick 14-0 lead. It felt like Yale was playing catch-up all day, and despite Kemeni’s best efforts, the hole just kept getting deeper. He did manage to break loose for a massive 36-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, a much-needed jolt of energy. But even with that, the Rams were still up 20-7 going into halftime. You gotta wonder what was said in that locker room because those early scores were brutal.
Bulldogs Fought Back, But Rams Had All The Answers
The Bulldogs tried to claw their way back in the third quarter, with Noah Piper connecting on a 33-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 10 points. Quarterback Dante Reno started finding his rhythm in the fourth, tossing touchdown passes to Graham Smith and Jaxton Santiago. But every time Yale scored, Rhode Island had an answer, stifling any real momentum the Bulldogs tried to build. The stats sheet shows Yale actually had 391 yards of offense to Rhode Island’s 395, and they moved the chains 23 times compared to the Rams’ 12. But that one turnover? That’s the kind of play that kills you. Reno finished with 105 yards passing and two scores, while Santiago chipped in with three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, and Smith added two grabs for 22 yards and a score.
This loss snaps what had been a solid couple of weeks for the Bulldogs. They had previously beaten Merrimack in an emotional game after Dante Reno’s father, former Yale coach Tony Reno, passed away, and then followed that up with a convincing 28-7 win over Dartmouth. Now sitting at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Ivy League play, the focus has to be on bouncing back fast. Every game matters when you’re trying to make a statement, and this one stings.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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