What Is 2018 Rhode Island Rams football team

Overview

The 2018 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Rams were led by head coach Jim Fleming, who was in his fifth season at the helm.

The team played its home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island, and aimed to build on previous improvements under Fleming’s leadership. While the Rams showed strong offensive performances at times, they narrowly missed qualifying for the FCS playoffs despite a winning record.

• Overall record: The Rams finished the 2018 season with a 7-4 overall record, reflecting consistent performance throughout the year.
• Conference record: They achieved a 5-3 mark in the highly competitive Colonial Athletic Association, placing them in the upper half of the league standings.
• Head coach: Jim Fleming entered his fifth season in 2018, continuing to rebuild the program with an emphasis on defense and discipline.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Meade Stadium, a 5,180-seat venue located on the university’s Kingston campus.
• Postseason: Despite a winning record, the Rams did not receive an invitation to the FCS playoffs, which limited their national exposure.

Season Performance

The 2018 campaign featured a mix of strong offensive showings and defensive challenges, particularly in key conference matchups. The Rams demonstrated resilience, winning four of their final five games, but early losses to ranked opponents proved costly in the playoff selection process.

• Key victory: A 24-17 win over in-state rival Brown University highlighted non-conference play and energized the fanbase early in the season.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Juwon Farri threw for 1,487 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the Rams’ aerial attack during the season.
• Defensive standout: Linebacker Mike McCray recorded 87 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, anchoring the middle of Rhode Island’s defense.
• Running game: The Rams averaged 154.6 rushing yards per game, with Marcus Jones contributing 602 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.
• Pass defense: Rhode Island allowed 238.7 passing yards per game, a weakness that hampered their chances against CAA powerhouses.
• Special teams: Kicker Cole McCord converted 9 of 13 field goal attempts, providing steady scoring in close contests.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2018 Rams compared closely with recent seasons in terms of win totals and conference performance, as shown in the table below.

The data shows a clear upward trend in performance since Jim Fleming took over in 2014, with the 2018 season marking the team’s best win total since 2013. Despite steady improvement, the Rams have yet to break through into the FCS playoffs under Fleming, though the 2018 season represented a significant step forward in competitiveness and program stability.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a milestone in the rebuilding effort at Rhode Island, demonstrating progress and setting a foundation for future success. The team’s performance helped boost recruiting and fan engagement, key components for long-term growth in the FCS ranks.

• Program momentum: The 7-4 record was the best since 2013, signaling that the Rams were becoming a more competitive FCS program.
• Recruiting impact: Stronger on-field results in 2018 helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes.
• Conference credibility: A 5-3 CAA record improved Rhode Island’s reputation within one of the toughest FCS conferences.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, setting the stage for future leadership roles.
• Community engagement: Improved performance led to higher attendance and local media coverage, especially during home games.
• Coaching validation: Jim Fleming’s system showed tangible results, reinforcing his long-term role as head coach.