Rhode Island football extended the program’s first FCS Playoffs appearance beyond the 1st Round and reached 11 wins for the first time ever. And, it wouldn’t have been a 2024 Rams game had it not gone down to the wire against Northeast Conference champion Central Connecticut State.

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The Blue Devils defense was stout, particularly on third downs. The Rhody defense was better, however, coming up with enough key stops to secure the 21-17 victory.

Rhode Island now moves onto the round of 16, hitting the road to face Southern Conference champion Mercer.

FCS Playoffs: Rhode Island at Mercer

Offense

The Rams and Bears feature two of the best running backs in the FCS Playoffs, both incoming transfers who joined their teams last offseason. Rhode Island’s Malik Grant, an All-NEC performer at Sacred Heart, was a cornerstone of the Rams offense for much of the season but he has elevated his game to new heights of late. 

Grant heads into Mercer having broken the 200-yard mark in both the regular-season finale vs. Bryant, when he also carried for three touchdowns and caught for a fourth; and rolled up 223 yards in the 1st Round playoff win over CCSU. 

Dwayne McGee, meanwhile, came to Mercer from Lenoir-Rhyne along with first-year Bears head coach Mike Jacobs. At L-R, McGee was among the most prolific ball-carriers in Div. II with three seasons scoring 11 or more touchdowns and twice surpassing 1,500 yards with a remarkable 1,669 in 2021. 

The Div. II All-American has transitioned effectively to Div. I football, rushing for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns as Mercer's primary back. 

It's no secret that both outstanding backs also owe some of their production to outstanding offensive lines. 

"That was the big question mark coming into the season," Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming said of his offensive front. "I decided to put our running backs coach [Mike Flanagan] and every step of the way in every job I've given, [Flanagan] has done an incredible job." 

Brock Bethea earned 2nd Team All-Coastal Athletic Association recognition as one of the standouts on the line for the Rams, and Tre Alexander was a 3rd Team selection. With those anchors helping to elevate a unit that was a question mark ahead of the season, another uncertain position — quarterback — has become a strength as the season progressed. 

The Rams rank 11th nationally in sacks allowed, giving up just 14 through 13 games. Helping keep the passers upright has contributed to a season-long evolution in Rhode Island's passing game, even after Devin Farrell suffered an injury and Hunter Helms took over full-time. 

Likewise, the Mercer offensive line has been a strength in facilitating the Bears' consistent run game. Israel Mukwiza was a 1st Team All-Southern Conference selection, and both Ridley Adcock and EJ Johnson landed on the All-SoCon 2nd Team. 

Like Rhode Island, Mercer successfully navigated injuries and lost time at quarterback while also routinely using two quarterbacks in DJ Smith and Whitt Newbauer. The freshman Newbauer has been excellent since stepping in midway through October, putting up a pair of three-touchdown games in Mercer's final two matchups with FCS competition. 

Defense

Through an undefeated start, Mercer boasted one of the nation's most statistically dominant defenses. The Bears finished ranked No. 16 nationally in scoring defense at 20.2 points per game, and were tops in the FCS against the run at 67.4 yards allowed a contest. Opponents rushed for a scent few 2.26 yards per carry against an aggressive front seven that includes 1st Team All-SoCon honorees Brayden Manley on the line and Isaac Dowling at linebacker. 

Dowling is one of four Bears to register at least eight quarterback hurries and one of a whopping six Mercer defenders with eight or more tackles for loss. Manley's 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks lead the Bears, Andrew Zock's registered 13.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries, and Arias Nash has 10 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries. 

All that pressure applied to opposing backfields has translated into take away opportunities for the Bears. TJ Moore and Myles Redding have intercepted seven and six passes respectively, contributing to Mercer's 31 turnovers gained heading into the round of 16. 

The only defense with more turnovers created in 2024? Central Connecticut State, Rhode Island's 1st Round opponent, with 32. The Blue Devils came away with a pair of interceptions from Rhode Island's Helms, the second time in three games the Rams quarterback threw multiple picks. 

Cutting down on turnovers plays a huge role in Rhode Island's prospects of advancing to the national quarterfinals. The Rams defense, meanwhile, has the ability to create some pivotal takeaway opportunities in its own right. 

Of its 19 takeaways, Rhode Island has forced 12 since the beginning of November. That includes three straight games heading into Mercer having intercepted multiple passes — including three vs. CCSU. Among those was Emmanuel Gomes' 42-yard pick-six that proved instrumental in Rhode Island building a cushion to hold off the Blue Devils. 

"I knew I made it."

Woonsocket's Emmanuel Gomes on his pick six to put URI up 14-0.@ABC6 #URI #GoRhody pic.twitter.com/IG1ka2L656

— Ian Steele (@RealianSteele6) November 30, 2024

No coincidence that Rhode Island's turnover generation has been growing commensurate with the Rams' pressure continuing to be a hallmark of the defense. A.J. Pena racked up another sack in the 1st Round to bring his total in 2024 to 12; the most among all players remaining in the FCS Playoffs. 

Fellow front-seven defensive force Westley Neal is a key run-stopper for the Rams but also showed off his ability to come away with turnovers in making the win-sealing pick against CCSU. 

Special Teams

Westley Neal's late-game heroics didn't start with the interception in the 1st Round. The Rams' outstanding defensive lineman also sewed up a late-season win over UAlbany with a field-goal block, one of three blocked kicks Rhode Island has on the season. 

Mercer has also blocked three kicks, though, something to watch on Saturday after Central Connecticut State gained momentum early against Rhode Island with a block. And, in fact, while Mercer has yet to allow a blocked kick this season, Rhode Island's given up five. 

The Rams have been better at protecting punter Devin Walter, who has not been blocked on his way to 20-of-49 kicks pinning opponents inside their own 20-yard line. Walter's efforts play a key role in aiding the Rhode Island defense with a favorable field position. 

URI's coverage unit must be prepared to limit Brayden Smith. The Bears returner has taken a pair of punts back for touchdowns this season. 

What Are The Top Conferences In The FCS?

Curious about the top performers and strongest conference within the FCS ranks? We’ve got you covered.

See the FCS conferences ranked using a unique system that was originally developed for chess.

When Do The 2024 FCS College Football Playoffs Start?

The FCS playoffs begin on November 30, 2024.

The 2024 Division I FCS College Football Championship game will be played on January 6, 2025, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

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