2024 Rhode Island Rams football team

2024 Rhode Island Rams football
2024 Rhode Island Rams football
CAA co-champion
NCAA Division I Playoffs
Conference	CAA Football
Ranking
STATS	No. 13
FCS Coaches	No. 15
Record	10–2 (7–1 CAA)
Head coach	Jim Fleming (11th season);
Offensive coordinator	Patrick Murphy (5th season)
Defensive coordinator	Chris Lorenti (2nd season)
Home stadium	Meade Stadium
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

The 2024 Rhode Island Rams football team represents the University of Rhode Island as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference (CAA Football) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Rams are led by 11th-year head coach Jim Fleming and play their home games at Meade Stadium.

2024 Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 10 Richmond +^	8	–	0	10	–	2
No. 13 Rhode Island* +^	7	–	1	10	–	2
No. 15 Villanova ^	6	–	2	9	–	3
Delaware*	6	–	2	9	–	2
No. 24 New Hampshire ^	6	–	2	8	–	4
No. 18 Stony Brook	5	–	3	8	–	4
Towson	5	–	3	7	–	5
Elon	5	–	3	6	–	6
William & Mary	4	–	4	7	–	5
Monmouth	4	–	4	6	–	6
Maine	3	–	5	5	–	7
Hampton	2	–	6	5	–	7
Albany	2	–	6	4	–	8
Campbell	1	–	7	3	–	9
Bryant	0	–	8	2	–	10
North Carolina A&T	0	–	8	1	–	11
* Delaware ineligible for rankings and 2024 FCS playoffs due to transition to the FBS. Richmond and Rhode Island named co-champions as Rhode Island's only CAA loss was to Delaware.

+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant As of November 25, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

Offseason

Coaching changes

The following coaches left the program:

Wide receivers coach Chris Bergeski left for the running backs coach position at Yale.
Offensive line coach Eddy Morrissey left for the co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach positions at Merrimack.^[1]
Defensive backs coach Brandon Napoleon left for the safeties coach position at Jacksonville State.^[2]

The following coaches were hired:

Walter Kusmirek was hired from New Haven to be the offensive line coach.^[3]
Tyler Loftus was hired from UConn to be the wide receivers coach.^[4]

The following coach was promoted:

Defensive quality control coach Henry Yianakopolos was promoted to defensive backs coach.^[4]

Transfers

Incoming

Name	Pos.	Previous school	Year
Kevin Pinherio	WR	Nichols	Sophomore
Shawn Harris	WR	UMass	Redshirt Junior
Greg Gaines	WR	Iowa State	Redshirt Freshman
Hunter Helms	QB	Clemson	Redshirt Junior
Tyler Baker	QB	Navy	Freshman
Tremel States-Jones	S	South Alabama	Sophomore

Outgoing

Name	Pos.	New school	Year
Hunter Hopperton	TE	Kent State^[5]	Sophomore
Declan Williams	LB	Incarnate Word^[6]	Sophomore
Mekhi Bethel	LB	N/A	Junior
Rocco Cillino	RB	Retired	Redshirt Sophomore
Randy Jordan	DB	Hampton	Redshirt Junior
John Erby	WR	Duquesne	Redshirt Senior
Syeed Gibbs	DB	Georgia Tech^[7]	Redshirt Freshman
Trevor Nored	QB	Barton^[8]	Redshirt Freshman

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	7:00 p.m.	Holy Cross*		Meade Stadium Kingston, RI	FloSports	W 20–17	5,770
September 7	12:00 p.m.	at Minnesota*		Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN	Peacock	L 0–48	41,006
September 14	6:00 p.m.	Campbell		Meade Stadium Kingston, RI	FloSports	W 21–9	4,840
September 21	12:00 p.m.	at LIU*		Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium Brookville, NY	NEC Front Row	W 28–21	2,083
October 5	2:00 p.m.	at Hampton	No. 20	Armstrong Stadium Hampton, VA	FloSports	W 46–44 ^2OT	1,729
October 12	1:00 p.m.	Brown*	No. 19	Meade Stadium Kingston, RI (rivalry)	FloSports	W 31–21	5,773
October 19	1:00 p.m.	at No. 24 New Hampshire	No. 16	Wildcat Stadium Durham, NH	FloSports	W 26–9	8,425
October 26	1:00 p.m.	Maine	No. 15	Meade Stadium Kingston, RI	FloSports	W 24–14	5,450
November 2	1:00 p.m.	Monmouth	No. 14	Meade Stadium Kingston, RI	FloSports	W 37–28	5,674
November 9	1:00 p.m.	at Delaware	No. 11	Delaware Stadium Newark, DE	FloSports	L 21–24	17,326
November 16	1:00 p.m.	Albany	No. 15	Meade Stadium Kingston, RI	FloSports	W 20–17	4,605
November 23	1:00 p.m.	at Bryant	No. 13	Beirne Stadium Smithfield, RI	FloSports	W 35–21	2,850
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[9]^[10]

Game summaries

Holy Cross

Game One – Holy Cross Crusaders (0–0) at Rhode Island Rams (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Crusaders	0	0	0	0	0
Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, Rhode Island

Date: August 31, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	HC	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Holy Cross	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Minnesota (FBS)

Pregame line	Over/under
Minnesota –27.5	47.5

Game Two – Rhode Island Rams (1–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers (FBS)	3	14	14	17	48

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 11:00 AM
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind S 4 mph
Game attendance: 41,006
Referee: Mark Kluczynski
TV announcers (Peacock): Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Kyle Rudolph (analyst), and Caroline Pineda (sideline)

Game information

First quarter

(9:27) MINN – Dragan Kesich 53-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 3:26; Minnesota 3–0)

Second quarter

(11:05) MINN – Darius Taylor 1-yard run (Dragan Kesich kick) (Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 6:33; Minnesota 10–0)
(1:16) MINN – Marcus Major 2-yard run (Dragan Kesich kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 85 yards, 7:57; Minnesota 17–0)

Third quarter

(7:57) MINN – Cristian Driver 6-yard pass from Max Brosmer (Dragan Kesich kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 6:58; Minnesota 24–0)
(1:11) MINN – Le'Meke Brockington 29-yard pass from Max Brosmer (Drive: 8 plays, 79 yards, 4:40; Minnesota 31–0)

Fourth quarter

(11:04) MINN – Dragan Kesich 47-yard field goal (Dragan Kesich kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:46; Minnesota 34–0)
(10:32) MINN – Jack Henderson 25-yard interception return (Dragan Kesich kick (Drive: 3 plays, -8 yards, 0:32; Minnesota 41–0)
(1:56) MINN – Tyler Williams 8-yard pass from Drake Lindsey (Dragan Kesich kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 4:12; Minnesota 48–0)

Statistics	URI	MINN
First downs	6	27
Total yards	135	422
Rushing yards	18	116
Passing yards	117	306
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–30–3	27–34–0
Time of possession	19:28	40:32

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing	Devin Farrell	6/18, 76 yards, 2 INT
	Rushing	Devin Farrell	4 carries, 9 yards
	Receiving	Marquis Buchanan	5 receptions, 64 yards
Minnesota	Passing	Max Brosmer	24/30, 271 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Darius Taylor	14 carries, 64 yards, TD
	Receiving	Elijah Spencer	4 receptions, 55 yards

Campbell

Game Three – Campbell Fighting Camels (1–1) at Rhode Island Rams (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Camels	0	0	0	0	0
Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, Rhode Island

Date: September 14, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	CAM	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Campbell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at LIU

Game Four – Rhode Island Rams (2–1) at LIU Sharks (0–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rams	0	7	0	21	28
Sharks	0	14	0	7	21

at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium • Brookville, New York

Date: September 21, 2024
Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 2,083
Referee: Michael Quinn
TV announcers (NEC Front Row): TBD

Game information

First quarter

(11:45) URI – Malik Grant 7-yard run, Ty Groff kick (Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:38; Rhode Island 7–0)

Second quarter

(9:16) LIU – Ludovick Choquette 28-yard pass from Luca Stanzani, Michael Coney kick (Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 4:15; Tied 7–7)
(0:26) LIU – Luca Stanzani 7-yard run, Michael Coney kick (Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 1:43; LIU 14–7)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

(11:35) URI – Malik Grant 11-yard run, Ty Groff kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:19; Tied 14–14)
(9:13) LIU – Michael Love 42-yard pass from Luca Stanzani, Michael Coney kick (Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 2:15; LIU 21–14)
(3:43) URI – Hunter Helms 4-yard run, Ty Groff kick (Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:41; Tied 21–21)
(1:08) URI – Malik Grant 8-yard run, Ty Groff kick (Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 1:37; Rhode Island 28–21)

Statistics	URI	LIU
First downs	21	20
Total yards	344	371
Rushing yards	210	174
Passing yards	134	197
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–19–0	19–32–0
Time of possession	22:38	37:22

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing	Hunter Helms	7/10, 90 yards
	Rushing	Malik Grant	20 carries, 141 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Greg Gaines	4 receptions, 44 yards
LIU	Passing	Luca Stanzani	16/27, 176 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Ludovick Choquette	16 carries, 70 yards
	Receiving	Michael Love	6 receptions, 77 yards, TD

at Hampton

Game Five – No. 20 Rhode Island Rams (3–1) at Hampton Pirates (3–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 20 Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Pirates	0	0	0	0	0

at Armstrong Stadium, Hampton, VA

Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
Game time: 2:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	URI	HAMP
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Hampton	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Brown (rivalry)

Game Six – Brown Bears (2–1) vs No. 19 Rhode Island Rams (4–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 19 Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, RI

Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	BRWN	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Brown	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 24 New Hampshire

Game Seven – No. 16 Rhode Island Rams (5–1) at No. 24 New Hampshire Wildcats (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 Rams	0	0	0	0	0
No. 24 Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Wildcat Stadium, Durham, NH

Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	URI	UNH
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
New Hampshire	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Maine

Game Eight – Maine Black Bears (3–4) vs No. 15 Rhode Island Rams (6–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Black Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 15 Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, RI

Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ME	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Maine	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Monmouth

Game Nine – Monmouth Hawks (4–4) at No. 14 Rhode Island Rams (7–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hawks	0	0	0	0	0
No. 14 Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, RI

Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MON	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Monmouth	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Delaware

Game Ten – No. 11 Rhode Island Rams (8–1) at Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (7–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 11 Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Fightin' Blue Hens	0	0	0	0	0

at Delaware Stadium, Newark, DE

Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	URI	DEL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Delaware	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Albany

Game Eleven – Albany Great Danes (3–7) at No. 15 Rhode Island Rams (8–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Great Danes	0	0	0	0	0
No. 15 Rams	0	0	0	0	0

at Meade Stadium • Kingston, RI

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
Game time: 1:00 PM EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (FloSports): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ALB	URI
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Albany	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Bryant

Game Twelve – No. 13 Rhode Island Rams (0–0) at Bryant Bulldogs (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 13 Rams	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

at Beirne Stadium • Smithfield, RI

Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	URI	BRY
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Rhode Island	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Bryant	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "Football Names Morrissey Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach". Merrimack College Athletics. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "Jacksonville State football, Rich Rodriguez hire new safeties coach". Gadsden Times. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "URI names Kusmirek offensive line coach". New England Football Journal®. January 30, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Yianakopolos Promoted, Loftus Returns to Rhode Island Football Staff". University of Rhode Island. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
^ "Streetsboro's Hunter, Preston Hopperton commit to play football at Kent State". Record-Courier. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ McKinnell, Zach (December 19, 2023). "2024 FCS-To-FCS Football Transfer Tracker". Sports Illustrated FCS Football News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ Caudell, Jackson (December 17, 2023). "Transfer Defensive Back Syeed Gibbs Commits to Georgia Tech". Sports Illustrated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ Buchinger, Erik. "2024 Transfer Portal QBs - FBS & FCS Quarterback Rankings, Entries, Commits". www.gunslingerbuzz.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "2024 Rhode Island Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
^ "2024 Football Schedule". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[1] "Football Names Morrissey Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach". Merrimack College Athletics. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[2] "Jacksonville State football, Rich Rodriguez hire new safeties coach". Gadsden Times. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[3] "URI names Kusmirek offensive line coach". New England Football Journal®. January 30, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[:0-4] "Yianakopolos Promoted, Loftus Returns to Rhode Island Football Staff". University of Rhode Island. February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.

[5] "Streetsboro's Hunter, Preston Hopperton commit to play football at Kent State". Record-Courier. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[6] McKinnell, Zach (December 19, 2023). "2024 FCS-To-FCS Football Transfer Tracker". Sports Illustrated FCS Football News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[7] Caudell, Jackson (December 17, 2023). "Transfer Defensive Back Syeed Gibbs Commits to Georgia Tech". Sports Illustrated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets News, Analysis and More. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[8] Buchinger, Erik. "2024 Transfer Portal QBs - FBS & FCS Quarterback Rankings, Entries, Commits". www.gunslingerbuzz.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

[9] "2024 Rhode Island Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024.

[10] "2024 Football Schedule". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 19, 2024.

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