Griffin’s 154 yards rushing, 2 TDs lead Northeastern to 33-27 victory over Rhode Island

Northeastern defeats Rhode Island 33-27

KINGSTON, R.I. — John Griffin rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns to lead Northeastern to a 33-27 victory over Rhode Island in the season finale for both teams.

Griffin scored on runs of 18 and 10 yards and caught three passes for 29 yards as the Huskies (3-8, 3-5 Colonial Athletic Conference) won their final two games.

Northeastern built a 20-7 lead on Griffin’s 10-yard run, Matt Carroll’s 15-yard run and two field goals from Mat Johnson.

Rhode Island (1-10, 0-8) stayed close on Anthony Ferrer’s 2-yard run and Chris Paul-Etienne’s 55-yard pass to Shawn Leonard, but Griffin scored again for a 30-20 lead with 48 seconds left in the third quarter.

Johnson kicked two 42-yard field goals, a 29-yarder and a 22-yarder.

Paul-Etienne was 8-for-16 for 191 yards and three touchdowns, all to Leonard, who caught five passes for 163 yards.