Fordham Rams
Patriot
With their 58-37 loss to Lehigh in late October, Fordham’s 5-1 record in the Patriot League was not enough to earn the conference’s automatic playoff bid. However, the Rams kept winning and did enough to reach the playoffs. The schedule was not all that difficult and the loss at Monmouth was a very bad loss, but this is a Fordham team that can put up a lot of points.
2016 Record: 8-3, 5-1
Coach: Andrew Breiner
Big Wins: 9/24 Penn (31-17), 11/5 Colgate (24-20)
Bad Losses: 10/1 at Monmouth (41-42), 10/29 at Lehigh (37-58)
Strengths:
Fordham has one of the most potent offenses in the country and it starts with running back Chase Edmonds. He has rushed for 1,799 yards and 19 touchdowns. The junior back has led the Rams to the playoffs the last two seasons and is ready for another playoff push in 2016. With quarterback Kevin Anderson joining Edmonds in the backfield, the Rams have a very potent offense. Anderson threw for 2,724 yards and 27 touchdowns with just four interceptions during his senior season. Robbie Cantelli is a great big play receiver and Austin Longi and Corey Caddle have been very productive as well. That is a lot of weapons for any defense to deal with for an entire game.
Weaknesses:
The defense does a very good job of creating turnovers, but they give up quite a few yards too. The secondary boasts playmakers like Caleb Ham, Antonio Jackson, Lawrence Menyah and Jihaad Pretlow. Any one of them is a threat to pick off a pass or two. The decent pass rush, led by Max Roberts and Justin Vaughn, certainly helps the secondary make those big plays. However, the front seven does need to be more productive against the run.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Chase Edmonds, RB, 1,799 yards
Passing: Kevin Anderson, QB, 2,724 yards
Receiving: Austin Longi, WR, 774 yards
Tackles: George Dawson, LB, 70
Sacks: Max Roberts, LB, 4.5; Brandon Weir, DL, 4.5
Interceptions: George Dawson, LB, 3; Caleb Ham, DB, 3
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 235.4 (11th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 262.6 (21, 2)
Total Offense: 498.0 (7, 1)
Scoring Offense: 40.5 (7, 1)
Rushing Defense: 193.3 (88, 5)
Pass Defense: 196.4 (34, 3)
Total Defense: 389.7 (62, 4)
Scoring Defense: 30.9 (87, 5)
Turnover Margin: 1.40 (4, 1)
Sacks: 2.80 (13, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 2.20 (73, 3)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2015 First Round Lost to Chattanooga
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 11/12
