Barrington’s Alex McClelland scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and helped the University of Rhode Island football team defeat Brown University 13-10 in the annual Governor’s Cup Game on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3. 

McClelland, who began his career at URI as a walk-on, started the game at quarterback for the Rams. He split time with another player, but with the game on the line, McClelland found himself in the spotlight. Trailing 10-3 in the fourth quarter, the Rams looked to Alex for a spark. McClelland zipped a pass to URI’s All-American wide receiver (and another Rhode Island native) Marquis Buchanan, who found a seam in the Brown University defense and sprinted for a 68-yard gain. 

On the next play, McClelland scrambled up the middle for a game-tying touchdown. 

After each team punted, URI and McClelland found themselves with a chance to win it. McClelland dropped back and found Jamall Mensah for a short gain. McClelland, a former Barrington High School standout, then zipped a pass to Buchanan for a five-yard pick-up. Referees flagged Brown University with a roughing the passer penalty on the play, which put the Rams into field goal range. Ty Groff booted it through for the 13-10 lead. 

During the post-game press conference, McClelland shared his thoughts about the drive to tie the game at 10-10.

“Seeing Quis catch that ball in stride and run all the way down … to be honest, I thought he was going to score, so I was celebrating a little too early on that one, but it was good to finish that drive,” McClelland said.

The touchdown run was McClelland’s third of the season. 

URI Head Coach Jim Fleming praised McClelland following the game. 

“To be able to see Alex get his due, you know, and pull it down and wiggle right through there. That was really kind of cool,” Fleming said.