2021 FCS Season Preview: Rhode Island
College Sports Journal Projection: 12th
The Rams went 2-1 last spring with overtime road victories against Villanova and UAlbany before having its season cut short by COVID. The glimpse we got of the Rams before the shutdown showed a lot of potential for the fall season.
Back to lead the Rhode Island offense is quarterback Kasim Hill, who contributed 438 yards of total offense and 4 TD’s in the spring, and running back Kevin Brown, Jr., who was honored as the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year. At receiver, Ivory Frimpong and Ed Lee combined for 24 catches in the three spring contests.
There is good experience returning on the URI defense. Andre Bibeault anchors the group up front while seniors L.B. Mack and Andre Blackett return at linebacker. In the secondary, Coby Tippett contributed three interceptions in the shortened season. The Rams also welcome back kicker C.J. Carrick and punter Davey Schaum-Bartocci.
Impact Players
QB Kasim Hill: The transfer from Tennessee who contributed 438 yards of total offense and 4 TD’s in the spring.
RB Kevin Brown, Jr.: The CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, Brown exploded on the scene this spring vs. Villanova with a 141 yard 4 TD performance.
DB Coby Tippett: Notched 3 interceptions during the spring.
Key Game: September 18 vs. Brown (Governor’s Cup).
Rhode Island
| Home | Time/Results | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bryant  | 21 - 45 |  Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - |
| Rhode Island | 16 - 14 |  Albany | Bob Ford Field | Albany, NY | - | - |
| Rhode Island |  Brown | Brown Stadium | Providence, RI | - | - | |
Stony Brook  | Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - | |
Delaware  | Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - | |
| Rhode Island |  Towson | Johnny Unitas Stadium | Towson, MD | - | - | |
| Rhode Island |  Villanova | Villanova Stadium | Villanova, PA | - | - | |
Maine  | Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - | |
| Rhode Island |  UMass | McGuirk Stadium | Amherst, MA | - | - | |
New Hampshire  | Rhode Island | Meade Stadium | Kingston, RI | - | - | |
| Rhode Island |  Elon | Rhodes Stadium | Elon. NC | - | - |
Worst Case: A leaky defense gets leakier, and the Rams fall to the cellar of the CAA.
Best Case: The Rams showed a little spark in the spring, especially on offense. If they continue to develop, they could finish in the middle of the pack and maybe even have an outside shot at an at-large bid, which speaks to the overall depth of the CAA.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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