FCS Playoff Preview: A look at Central Connecticut and Rhode Island

Photo Courtesy of URI Athletics

The historic season will roll on in Kingston as the Rhode Island Rams will host the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs on Saturday. 

The Rams went 10-2 and 7-1 within the Coastal Athletic Association, the sole loss to Delaware who have more than the allotted amount of scholarships for the FCS because they are transitioning to the next level in 2025. That loss didn’t count against the Rams when it came to claiming the CAA regular season, just with the automatic qualifier, which Richmond earned as they beat UD. The other loss for URI, a Big Ten Conference program in the Football Bowl Subdivision, was Minnesota. Rhode Island allowed just 22.8 points per contest during the regular season, including that 48-0 loss to the Golden Gophers. That defense is one of the main reasons Rhody has had one of its best seasons in program history. 

The Rams offense was not potent by any means, but they were solid all around and have playmakers all over the field that can take the top off a defense in an instant. Running back Malik Grant rushed for over 1,160 yards and added 13 rushing touchdowns. Grant had three touchdown days on three separate occasions, with the last one coming just yesterday against Bryant where he also added a receiving TD. 

Through the air, its wideout Marquis Buchanan. The Providence native is regarded as one of the top receivers in the conference and his stats backed that up. Buchanan had 981 yards, good for third in the conference while also adding seven touchdowns in 12 games. His 81.1 yards per contest ranked fifth in the CAA and he was one of the main reasons the Rams are where they are. 

On the other hand Central Connecticut State finished 7-5, which may seem weak, but they went 5-1 in the Northeast Conference and defeated Duquesne 21-14 in their final matchup of the regular season. The victory gave the Blue Devils the NEC crown and an automatic bid to the playoffs. CCSU is riding a four-game win streak and an undefeated November where they allowed just 19.5 points per game. CCSU’s major issue is their ability to come out on top outside of New Britain, with just a 2-5 record in away games. They also allow over 100 yards per game on the ground, something Grant and Rams offensive coordinator Patrick Murphy will be happy to hear. The two teams also have a common opponent, Long Island University. The Rams defeated LIU 28-21 in one of their many comeback victories but the Blue Devils fell to the Sharks 24-21 in late October.

The CCSU offense is led by QB Brady Olson and RB Elijah Howard, two juniors. Olson threw for 2,091 yards and 15 touchdowns but was also intercepted nine times and had just a 51.3% completion rate. Howard rushed for 833 yards in 10 games, averaging four-yards per carry. 

If CCSU wants to come out on top they will need to hold Grant on the ground while attempting to push the ball downfield against a strong Rams defense. My prediction: URI 27-17 CCSU. 

The Rams and Blue Devils face off at Noon on Saturday with the winner taking on Mercer in the second round. The game is available to be streamed on ESPN+ with radio broadcasts on WRIU 90.3FM and The Varsity Network.