With about three weeks to go before training camp and just over 50 days to go until the season opener, we’re kicking off our preseason content. Today we start with a look at the Fordham Rams.
Game Notes
August 30th, 2:00 PM
Alumni Stadium ACC Network Extra
Series
This will be the 28th meeting between these two Jesuit institutions, but the first since 1954 when the Eagles prevailed 21-7. The program dropped football after that season but then returned in 1970. BC leads the overall series 14-11-2.
2024 Recap and Coaching
It wasn’t the kindest 2024 season for our friends from the Bronx. Fordham went 2-10 overall and 2-4 in Patriot League play. Coach Joe Conlin returns for his 8th season at the helm with a 31-41 overall record. He’s had three winning seasons including one trip the FCS playoffs in 2022, but he’s now looking to rebound after his worst season. The team brought in a new offensive line coach Steven Ciocci after a turbulent year at the position.
Defense: Key Returners
The Rams return six likely starters on defense starred by senior linebacker James Conway. The Nebraska native now as 436 career tackles, breaking the school and conference record in 2024. Despite playing just four games last season, he was still named First Team All-Patriot League. He’s 114 shy of the FCS record. Defensive lineman Claudy Robinson returns after a Second Team conference showing, and senior defensive back Alex Kemper is another key contributor making starts since his freshman season. The team did lose the conference DPOY to graduation on the defensive line
Offense: High Turnover
Offense is where there’s been a bit more shakeup. Quarterback Jack Capaldi took the starting role after CJ Montes went down with injury. Montes moved on to Kent State, so Capaldi will need to improve on his 22 turnovers. Capaldi added a 154 yards rushing to his 1573 yards. The team’s starting running back transferred to South Dakota State after a 1000 yard season. The offense was poor, but he factored in to a lot of the positive production. Ricky Parks should now be the lead man after starting his collegiate career at Utah.
The team’s top two pass catcher’s are also out, so Ricky Gonzalez II and KJ Reed will be thrusted up the depth chart. Both showed signs of improvement as the year progressed Left guard Duke Leonard and the 6-5 tight end Matt Buron are two additional key holdovers. The line as a whole was among the worst in FCS in terms of sacks allowed and will need to take a huge step up.
Scheme wise, Fordham employs an up-tempo wide split spread offense they’ve implemented for about five seasons now. It emphasizes on horizontal spacing a no-huddle approach. They’ll work on forcing one-on-one matchups with the defense spread out. The Eagles defense will have to showcase their open space tackling ability.
Punter Will Haslett was named First Team All-Patriot League as well.
This one shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the Eagles. It will be a nice ease into the season before the Eagles head to East Lansing for a night matchup against Michigan State.