What Is 2007 Rhode Island Rams football team

Overview

The 2007 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference, the team was led by head coach Tim Landers in his first and only season at the helm.

The Rams finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play. Despite a slightly below-.500 record, the team showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to previous years.

• Overall record: The Rams finished 5–6, marking a modest improvement from their 4–7 record in 2006.
• Conference affiliation: They played in the Atlantic 10 Conference, which governed football competition before the CAA Football era.
• Head coach: Tim Landers took over in 2007 but was replaced after one season following a mutual decision with the athletic department.
• Home stadium: The team played at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island, a venue with a capacity of approximately 5,100.
• Scoring output: Rhode Island tallied 245 points over 11 games, averaging 22.3 points per game for the season.

Season Performance

The 2007 campaign featured a mix of competitive losses and strong showings against conference rivals. The Rams demonstrated resilience in close games, winning three of their five victories by seven points or fewer.

• September start: The team opened with a 24–21 win over Sacred Heart, showing early promise with a balanced offensive attack.
• Midseason struggles: A four-game losing streak in October, including defeats to Villanova and New Hampshire, derailed playoff aspirations.
• Key player: Quarterback Aaron Polanco started most games, throwing for 1,702 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.
• Rushing attack: The Rams averaged 134.2 rushing yards per game, led by running back Dan DiCicco, who rushed for 597 yards.
• Defensive effort: The defense allowed 25.6 points per game, struggling particularly against top-tier Atlantic 10 opponents.
• Season finale: They closed with a 24–20 win over Maine, providing a positive note heading into the offseason.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2007 Rhode Island Rams to the 2006 and 2008 seasons to illustrate performance trends.

The data shows that 2007 was one of the stronger seasons in the mid-2000s for Rhode Island, with the best win total since 2003. While not enough to secure a postseason berth, the season represented a brief upward trend before another dip in performance in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season is a notable chapter in Rhode Island football history due to its transitional nature and brief coaching tenure. It also highlights the challenges mid-major programs face in maintaining consistency.

• Coaching turnover: Tim Landers' single-season tenure underscores the instability the program experienced in the late 2000s.
• Player development: Several players from the 2007 team became key contributors in future seasons, including defensive standouts.
• Conference context: The Atlantic 10 was highly competitive, with teams like Delaware and New Hampshire making deep playoff runs.
• Recruiting impact: The season helped maintain visibility for URI football in a region dominated by other sports.
• Stadium legacy: Meade Stadium continued to serve as a central hub for community and alumni engagement.
• Program trajectory: The 2007 season briefly interrupted a string of losing records, offering hope for future improvement.

Though not a championship year, the 2007 Rhode Island Rams season remains a data point of modest progress in a program striving for greater success within the FCS landscape.