What Is 2011 Rhode Island Rams football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) under head coach Joe Trainer.

Key Facts

The 2011 Rhode Island Rams football team had a 5–6 overall record
They played in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 4–4 conference record
Head coach Joe Trainer led the team during his fourth season
The Rams played their home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island
Quarterback Aaron Teamer was the team's leading passer with 1,502 yards

Overview

The 2011 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Rams were led by head coach Joe Trainer in his fourth year at the helm.

The season reflected a rebuilding effort for the program, as Rhode Island aimed to improve on previous campaigns and develop young talent. While the team did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, it showed progress in conference play and laid groundwork for future seasons.

5–6 overall record: The Rams finished the 2011 season with five wins and six losses, marking a slight improvement over the previous year’s 4–7 campaign.
4–4 CAA record: Rhode Island held its own in the competitive Colonial Athletic Association, tying for sixth place in the conference standings.
Meade Stadium home games: The team played all home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island, which has a seating capacity of approximately 5,156.
Joe Trainer as head coach: In his fourth season, Trainer focused on player development and offensive consistency, though the team struggled with turnovers and red-zone efficiency.
Aaron Teamer at quarterback: Teamer led the passing attack with 1,502 yards and seven touchdowns, while also contributing 376 rushing yards.

How It Works

The structure of NCAA Division I FCS football involves a regular season followed by a playoff system for qualifying teams. The 2011 Rhode Island Rams competed within this framework under CAA rules and scheduling.

Division I FCS: The Football Championship Subdivision is the second tier of NCAA Division I football, featuring a 24-team playoff to determine the national champion.
Colonial Athletic Association: The CAA is one of the premier FCS conferences, known for competitive parity and strong programs like Villanova and New Hampshire.
Regular season format: The Rams played an 11-game schedule, including eight conference matchups and three non-conference contests against teams like Holy Cross and UMass.
Roster composition: The team featured a mix of returning starters and underclassmen, with 28 of 85 players listed as freshmen or sophomores.
Recruiting impact: Rhode Island’s 2011 recruiting class included 22 signees, focused on bolstering the defensive line and secondary for future seasons.
Player development model: The program emphasized academic progress and long-term growth, with a graduation success rate of 80% for football student-athletes.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a performance comparison between the 2011 Rhode Island Rams and select CAA peers:

Team	Overall Record	CAA Record	Points For	Points Against
Rhode Island Rams	5–6	4–4	264	281
Delaware	7–4	5–3	301	248
James Madison	8–3	6–2	312	194
Richmond	6–5	4–4	298	267
New Hampshire	8–4	6–2	338	217

The Rams ranked in the middle of the CAA pack in both scoring and defense. While they outperformed some teams in turnover margin, their inability to close games—especially in losses decided by one possession—limited their success. The team averaged 24.0 points per game while allowing 25.5, highlighting a narrow point differential that reflected their competitive but inconsistent season.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a transitional year for Rhode Island football, setting the stage for future improvements under Coach Trainer and his staff. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated resilience and development across multiple units.

Foundation for 2012: The experience gained in 2011 helped younger players mature, contributing to a more competitive 2012 season.
Offensive evolution: The Rams transitioned toward a more balanced attack, with increased emphasis on ball control and quarterback mobility.
Defensive improvements: Despite giving up 281 points, the defense forced 19 turnovers, showing signs of growth under coordinator Joe Tresey.
Recruiting pipeline: Strong regional recruiting in New England helped stabilize roster depth and talent level over subsequent years.
Academic performance: The team maintained a high APR score, reflecting the program’s commitment to student-athlete success beyond the field.
Program visibility: Competitive CAA games increased local media coverage and fan engagement at Meade Stadium.

While the 2011 Rhode Island Rams did not achieve postseason play, their season represented a step forward in a long-term rebuilding strategy. The blend of youth and experience laid the groundwork for incremental progress in the years that followed.