What Is 2004 Rhode Island Rams football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island in the NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Jim Fleming.

Key Facts

The 2004 Rhode Island Rams had a 5–6 overall record.
They competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference, finishing with a 3–5 conference record.
Head coach Jim Fleming was in his first season leading the team.
The Rams played their home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island.
Quarterback Aaron Teamer started most games, throwing for 1,327 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Overview

The 2004 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference, the team was led by first-year head coach Jim Fleming and played its home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston.

The Rams struggled to find consistency throughout the season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–5 mark in conference play. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, the season marked a transitional phase for the program under new leadership and several key returning players.

Record: The team finished with a 5–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from previous seasons under new head coach Jim Fleming.
Conference: As members of the Atlantic 10 Conference, the Rams posted a 3–5 record against conference opponents.
Home Stadium: The Rams played all home games at Meade Stadium, a 5,180-seat facility located on the URI campus in Kingston, Rhode Island.
Head Coach: Jim Fleming began his tenure as head coach in 2004, becoming the 19th head coach in program history.
Key Player: Quarterback Aaron Teamer started most games, completing 131 of 246 passes for 1,327 yards and 8 touchdowns.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) football includes conference play, non-conference matchups, and a national playoff system for qualifying teams. The 2004 Rhode Island Rams competed within this framework, aiming to secure a winning record and future postseason eligibility.

Division I-AA: The NCAA Division I-AA classification, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), features teams competing for a national title via a 24-team playoff. The 2004 Rams were not playoff-eligible due to their losing record.
Atlantic 10 Conference: The Atlantic 10 sponsored football from 1997 to 2006, providing a competitive schedule for URI. The Rams' 3–5 conference record placed them in the lower half of the standings.
Roster Composition: The 2004 team relied on a mix of returning starters and new recruits, with key contributions from underclassmen adjusting to Fleming’s offensive system.
Game Schedule: The Rams played 11 games, including six conference matchups and five non-conference contests against teams such as Maine, UMass, and Monmouth.
Recruiting Impact: Jim Fleming’s first season included evaluating talent for future development, focusing on building depth for upcoming seasons.
Coaching Strategy: Fleming emphasized a balanced offensive approach, though injuries limited consistency; the defense allowed an average of 27.3 points per game.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2004 Rhode Island Rams with selected teams from the same conference and division:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Playoff Result
Rhode Island Rams	5–6	3–5	Jim Fleming	Did not qualify
New Hampshire Wildcats	7–4	6–2	Bill Bowes	First Round Exit
Richmond Spiders	6–5	4–4	Mike Riley	Did not qualify
Maine Black Bears	5–6	4–4	Jack Cosgrove	Did not qualify
James Madison Dukes	7–4	6–2	Champagne	Quarterfinals

The Rams’ 5–6 record placed them near the bottom of the Atlantic 10 standings. While teams like James Madison advanced deep into the playoffs, URI struggled with close losses and lacked the offensive firepower to compete consistently. The season highlighted the need for roster development and strategic adjustments in the coming years.

Why It Matters

The 2004 season was pivotal for the Rhode Island football program, marking the beginning of a new coaching era and laying the foundation for future improvements. Though the record was underwhelming, the year provided valuable experience for players and staff alike.

Coaching Transition: Jim Fleming’s arrival signaled a shift in program culture, emphasizing discipline and long-term development over immediate results.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future team leaders who would contribute in subsequent seasons.
Recruiting Momentum: The season helped establish recruiting pipelines in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions.
Conference Realignment: The Atlantic 10’s eventual exit from football impacted URI’s scheduling strategy in later years.
Facility Growth: Continued use of Meade Stadium maintained a strong home-field advantage despite modest seating capacity.
Program Identity: The 2004 season reinforced the importance of consistency, paving the way for future competitiveness in the CAA, which URI would join in 2007.

While the 2004 Rhode Island Rams did not achieve postseason success, the season played a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of the football program in the years that followed.