Buchanan Catch Lifts Rhode Island Past Maine
Marquis Buchanan's 25-yard overtime touchdown gave Rhode Island a 14-13 win and set the program's career receiving yards record.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Football
Marquis Buchanan caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Alex McClelland in overtime to give Rhode Island a 14-13 win over Maine at Centreville Bank Stadium. The reception also set Rhode Island's all-time career receiving yards record with 3,969 yards.
Why it matters
The win moves Rhode Island to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in CAA Football, while Maine falls to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play. For Rhode Island readers, the result keeps the team in contention in a competitive conference season and marks a milestone in its program history.
Buchanan caught 9 passes for 107 yards, and McClelland completed 11 of 19 attempts for 110 passing yards. Brayden Richardson rushed for 92 yards on 19 carries in his first career start, while Tyson Grimm's 84-yard interception return for a touchdown came with 32 seconds left before halftime.
The players
Marquis Buchanan
Rhode Island wide receiver who set the program's all-time career receiving yards record and is a Providence native.
Alex McClelland
Rhode Island quarterback who threw the overtime touchdown pass to Buchanan.
The details
Maine took the first possession in overtime and scored on a one-yard run by Nick Lauglin, but Rhode Island answered with McClelland's 25-yard touchdown pass to Buchanan, and Patrick Conserve blocked Maine's extra-point attempt to preserve the win.
Timeline
Saturday, Nov. 7: Rhode Island plays at New Hampshire at 1 p.m. in Durham, N.H.
Season Trajectory
The overtime win keeps Rhode Island in the middle of the CAA Football standings as it heads into a road game at New Hampshire. Buchanan's record places him above Brian Forster's 3,944 receiving yards, the previous mark for most in program history.
The win gives Rhode Island a 5-4 overall record and a 2-3 CAA mark, keeping its conference postseason hopes alive. Fans following fantasy football should note Buchanan's nine-catch, 107-yard performance and McClelland's 110 passing yards.
The takeaway
Buchanan's record-setting day shows how a single play can reshape a program's record books and a team's conference outlook at the same time. For Rhode Island followers, the next test comes against New Hampshire on Saturday.
What happens next
Rhode Island plays at New Hampshire on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. in Durham, N.H.
Further reading
Explore more Rhode Island Football coverage for the team's season and conference standings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GoLocalProv.
