Rhode Island may compete at the FCS level, but the Rams will bring a cupboard full of FBS talent to face UMass at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
There are 12 players that previously competed for FBS teams on Rhode Island’s roster, seven of whom were in Power 5 conferences (and four from Rutgers). Running back Kevin Brown (an Everett grad) played the 2019 season and rushed for 120 yards and a score before defecting to the Ocean State.
UMass coach Walt Bell knows one particularly well. He recruited quarterback Kasim Hill at Maryland and coached the quarterback for two years in College Park. Hill played two seasons at Maryland, starting 10 games as a redshirt freshman before an injury ended his 2018. He then transferred to Tennessee and spent time on the scout team before making his way to Rhode Island last season.
Hill has thrown for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns this year, completing 52.17 percent of his passes. The former four-star recruit from Washington D.C. is also second on the team with 314 rushing yards and four scores.
“His play has huge impact and it impacted the opportunity to get our offense out of the malaise they’ve been in,” Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming said.
Hill’s top targets are tight end Caleb Warren (386 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and 6-foot-3 receiver Ivory Frimpong (375 yards and a score).
Justice Antrum leads the Rams running for 590 yards and six scores.
“They’re running the football really good right now,” Bell said. “They play multiple backs, but they have a good front, they’ve got really good skill players, I really like their tight end, he runs well and makes plays in the passing game.”
Defensively, linebackers Evan Stewart (71 tackles) – a Boston College transfer – and Andre Blackett (70 tackles) have led the charge. Jordan Jones has grabbed five interceptions, tied for second in the FCS. Stewart is also one of four Rams with two sacks, which lead the team.
The Rams do commit among the most penalties in the FCS (44), tied for the third-highest mark in the division.
Despite the obvious advantages at the FBS level UMass enjoys (at least 85 scholarships compared to 63 for FCS schools and the ability to hire an additional assistant coach), Bell thinks the line between the divisions is as blurry as its ever been.
“From a numbers standpoint there aren’t huge differences like there used to be,” Bell said.
Fleming thinks things are even closer.
“I told (my team) this is probably a top-end CAA football team,” the Rhode Island coach said. “It’ll probably make them mad and pissed off if you’re UMass, but that’s the way they are. They’ve got some significant players and they’ll probably want to get a W.”
The Rams have lost their last three games after a 5-0 start that pushed them as high as No. 21 in the FCS rankings. They don’t have a lot to lose.
“Let’s go out and see if we can play free and play loose and steal if we can steal one,” Fleming said.
UMass (1-7) is on a two-game losing streak with just two home games and four total left on the schedule.
“You’ve got to think they’ll be hungry as hell,” Fleming said. “I’m sure they’ll be looking at a way to salvage their season. They’re playing for the development of their program.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.