What Is 1987 Rhode Island Rams football team

Overview

The 1987 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing in the Yankee Conference, the team was led by head coach Bob Griffin, who was in his 11th year at the helm.

The Rams played their home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island, and finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in conference play. Despite not qualifying for the I-AA playoffs, the team showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to the previous season.

• Overall record: The Rams finished the season with a 5–6 win-loss tally, marking a slight improvement from their 4–7 record in 1986.
• Conference performance: In the competitive Yankee Conference, they went 3–4, placing them in the middle of the standings.
• Head coach: Bob Griffin, entering his 11th season, continued to rebuild the program with a focus on defensive consistency and special teams.
• Home stadium: Meade Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 5,100, hosted all home games and provided a tight-knit fan atmosphere.
• Scoring: The team scored 179 points across 11 games, averaging 16.3 points per game, while allowing 20.5 points per contest.

Season Performance

The 1987 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought victories, highlighting the team's resilience despite missing the postseason. Several games were decided by one possession, underscoring the competitive nature of their schedule.

• September 5, 1987: The Rams opened the season with a 27–24 win over Division III Bridgewater State, showing early offensive promise.
• October 10, 1987: A key 21–17 victory over conference rival Maine snapped a two-game losing streak and boosted morale.
• October 24, 1987: A tough 17–10 loss to eventual conference champion Massachusetts demonstrated the team's ability to compete with top teams.
• November 7, 1987: A 31–14 defeat to Delaware foreshadowed challenges in preparing for stronger I-AA programs outside the conference.
• November 21, 1987: The season concluded with a 24–17 loss to New Hampshire, ending any slim playoff hopes.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1987 season compared to recent years in terms of performance and key metrics:

The 1987 season represented a plateau for the Rams, improving slightly in wins but failing to make a postseason appearance. While offensive output increased, defensive struggles limited deeper conference success. The team remained competitive but lacked the consistency needed to break into the national rankings.

Why It Matters

Though not a championship season, the 1987 campaign was part of a broader effort to stabilize the Rhode Island football program during a transitional era in college football. It helped lay the groundwork for future recruiting and development strategies.

• Program continuity: Bob Griffin’s long tenure provided stability, even as the team hovered around .500 in conference play.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, contributing to improved seasons in the early 1990s.
• Conference identity: Competing in the Yankee Conference kept the Rams relevant in regional college football discussions.
• Recruiting impact: Close games against strong teams like UMass helped attract local talent interested in competitive play.
• Historical context: The 1987 season is part of URI’s broader football history, documented in official athletics archives.
• Fan engagement: Consistent home games at Meade Stadium maintained a loyal local following despite modest records.

The 1987 Rhode Island Rams may not be remembered for trophies, but they contributed to the steady evolution of a program striving for greater success in the competitive landscape of Division I-AA football.