Fordham Rams
Patriot
The Rams have won 38 games since 2012, the most wins for any New York area football team and they’re 16-2 against Patriot League opponents in the last three years. And considering they graduated more than 30 seniors last year and that this year’s team featured just 13 seniors, it’s quite an achievement Fordham is even in the playoffs. Fordham lost to Colgate 31-29 that gave the Raiders the league crown, but the Rams still figure to be a team to reckon with in the playoffs.
2015 Record: 9-2, 5-1
Coach: Joe Moorhead
Big Wins: 9/4 at Army (37-35), 10/24 Lehigh (59-42)
Bad Losses: 9/12 Villanova (7-14), 10/31 at Colgate (29-31)
Strengths:
Quarterback Kevin Anderson and running back Chase Edmonds lead the Rams’ potent offense. Anderson has 2,854 passing yards, the seventh-best single-season total in school history. Plus, he has 29 TD passes – third most in a single season. Meanwhile, Edmonds has 3,482 career rushing yards in just 25 contests and is now second on Fordham’s all-time rushing list. His 43 career rushing touchdowns are second best. Team-wise, the Rams are 19th nationally in total offense and 24th in passing offense. Meanwhile, one area where Fordham excels is turnovers gained as the Rams are second in FCS.
Weaknesses:
Don’t look for the Rams to be among the leaders in defense nationally. While they had some solid defensive games (Villanova and Bucknell), they also gave up a ton of points in others. Seven opponents scored at least 30 points in a contest this season as witnessed by the Rams’ No. 77 ranking in scoring defense nationally (28.8 ppg). Fordham is ranked 85th in total defense (412.5 ypg) and basically must outscore its opponent to win. One other area of concern is penalties – Fordham is ranked 85th in penalty yardage per game in the FCS.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Chase Edmonds, RB, 1,643 yards
Passing: Kevin Anderson, QB, 2,854 yards
Receiving: Robbie Cantelli, WR, 472 yards
Tackles: Stephen Hodge, LB, 109
Sacks: Niko Thorpe, LB, 5.0
Interceptions: Caleb Ham, DB, 3; Stephen Hodge, LB, 3; JQ Bowers, DB, 3
2015 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 189.5 (34th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 267.2 (24, 3)
Total Offense: 456.6 (19, 2)
Scoring Offense: 38.4 (8, 1)
Rushing Defense: 151.7 (43, 2)
Pass Defense: 260.8 (113, 7)
Total Defense: 412.5 (85, 5)
Scoring Defense: 28.8 (77, 5)
Turnover Margin: 1.18 (6, 1)
Sacks: 2.00 (58, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 3.45 (111, 6)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2014 First Round Defeated Sacred Heart
2014 Second Round Lost to New Hampshire
2013 First Round Defeated Sacred Heart
2013 Second Round Lost to Towson
2007 First Round Lost to Massachusetts
2002 First Round Defeated Northeastern
2002 Quarterfinals Lost to Villanova
*all team stats through 11/14
