KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

1st game of the 2023 Season

Kick Off now official at 7PM EDT

Center Parc Stadium (Originally 1996 Olympic Stadium and then Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves)

Last Season for Georgia State (4-8)
@ South Carolina 14-35 L
@ North Carolina 28-35 L
Charlotte 41-42 L
Coastal Carolina 24-41 L
@ Army 31-14 W
Georgia Southern 41-33 W
@ Appalachian State 17-42 L
Old Dominion 31-17 W
@ Southern Mississippi 42-14 W
Louisiana Monroe 28-31 L
@ James Madison 40-42 L
@ Marshall 23-28 L

This Season Schedule for Georgia State (0-0)
Rhode Island
UCONN
@ Charlotte
@ Coastal Carolina
Troy
Marshall
@ Louisiana Lafayette
@ Georgia Southern
James Madison
Appalachian State
@ LSU
@ Old Dominion

Rhody has a chance and the Georgia State game is not exactly looking like a definite FBS win. They were picked 6 of 7 in their division. They had a bunch of tough losses last year and finished 4-8, but this is an opportunity for Rhody winning against an FBS opponent, other than hapless UMass, and it generally holds some meaning come playoff. selection time . Let’s go in there and punch them in mouth, shut up the crowd and win this one on the road. I got a good feeling about this one.

Game will be on ESPN+

Nice. They can win this game. Not as easy task, but not insurmountable either.

Could Idalia impact Thursday night's game? Winds and rain? Too early to know right now.

ramster wrote: ↑8 months ago Could Idalia impact Thursday night's game? Winds and rain? Too early to know right now.

I t looks like should be gone and out into the Atlantic by Thursday night. Expected to cross Georgia around Wednesday midnight.

Rhode Island Rams

Overall Rank: #20
#4 CAA


Rhode Island Team Page

2022 Record: 7-4, 5-3
2022 Postseason: None
Coach: Jim Fleming (31-62 at Rhode Island, 52-63 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Patrick Murphy
Defensive Coordinator: None

Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Jaylen Smith, RB, 272 yards
Passing: Kasim Hill, QB, 2,592 yards
Receiving: Kahtero Summers, WR, 675 yards
Tackles: Evan Stewart, LB, 76
Sacks: A.J. Pena, LB, 5.5
Interceptions: 3 tied with 1

Other Key Returnees: WR Darius Savedge, OL Nick Correia, OL Lorenzo Thompson, LB Jarrett Martin, LB Gabe Salomons, DB Jordan Colbert

Key Losses: RB Marques DeShields, WR Ed Lee, TE Caleb Warren, OL A.J. Cornelius, LB Jake Fire, DB Jordan Jones, S Antonio Carter II, DB O’Neil Robinson, DB Malik Gavek, S Henry Yianakopolos, DL Matt Thomas

Projected Postseason: FCS Playoffs

2022 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 169.3 (45th in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 235.4 (41, 5)
Total Offense: 404.6 (34, 5)
Scoring Offense: 30.6 (36, 4)
Rushing Defense: 165.5 (67, 7)
Pass Defense: 206.5 (41, 5)
Total Defense: 372.1 (56, 5)
Scoring Defense: 26.6 (53, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.36 (31, 4)
Sacks: 2.73 (15, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.91 (54, 5)



https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/21984

A good test and opportunity. Pumped for this season.

From GoRhody.com

https://gorhody.com/news/2023/8/29/foot ... night.aspx

The two deep is on page 10 of the game notes. A few surprises:

Gabe Sloat has gone from 3rd down back to starting RB with Jaden Griffin his backup. It appears that both of them jumped Jaylen Smith in the depth chart with transfers Ja'Den McKenzie and Deon Silas not cracking the two deep.

Braden Price is listed at starting CB. He's a transfer from Illinois State, and I don't remember hearing about him joining the team previously. Late transfer?

It looks like walk-on freshman Ty Groff beat out Dylan Shank for first team kicker

Announced on June 20. Looks like straight to starting lineup

D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Lost To The FBS (5)
James Makszin (DL) to Ball State
Matt Thomas (DL) to Colorado State
Antonio Carter II (DB) to Notre Dame
Ajani Cornelius (OL) to Oregon
Dylan Brown (DL) to Florida State

Transfers Lost To The FCS (2)
Sebastian Sagar (LB) to Stephen F. Austin
Sean Stackpole (TE) to Stonehill

Transfers Coming In From The FBS (8)
Kareem Wilson (DL), FAU
Omari Walker (WR), Arkansas State
Kevin Pyne (OL), Boston College
Rian Black (WR), Coastal Carolina
Deon Silas (RB), Iowa State
Desmond Mamudi (DL), Virginia Tech
Devin Farrell (QB), Virginia Tech
Romello Edwards (DB), Tennessee

Transfers Coming In From The FCS (3)
Brent Jackson (DB), Bucknell
Brock Bethea (OL), Chattanooga
Braden Price (DB), Illinois State




https://herosports.com/fcs-2023-rhode-i ... view-bzbz/

"Gabe Sloat has gone from 3rd down back to starting RB with Jaden Griffin his backup"

wow

some surprises on depth chart for sure.
Got to make some phone calls

#2 at QB us Devin Ferrell
Homecoming for Ferrell being back in ATL

Farrell will start out at QB, has 'it' factor
.
Article from 247sports back in December 2021
Evan G. Watkins

Dec 15th, 2021, 4:51 PM
Back in February, Virginia Tech landed the first commitment in the 2022 recruiting cycle in Milton (GA) three-star quarterback Devin Farrell.
Despite a coaching change from Justin Fuente to Brent Pry, Farrell remained steady in his commitment to the Hokies and signed with Virginia Tech on Wednesday.
“I think he does have versatility. We are going to give him an opportunity at quarterback. You talk about a guy who has won a ton of football games. He’s kind of got that ‘it’ factor. He has thrown for a bunch of yards. He’s run for a bunch of yards. He is playing at a high classification in a good football state and he has had a lot of success and we are going to give him that opportunity, but I do, from evaluating his film and talking to people in the area, think he has position flexibility.”
The 6-foot, 192-pound Farrell, who also stars on the basketball court for Milton, turned down scholarship offers from Duke, Georgia Tech, Utah State, Wake Forest, and others when he committed to Virginia Tech 10 months ago.
Over the past two seasons, Farrell has helped lead Milton to a 23-2 record.
As a senior, Farrell completed 140 of 215 passes for 1,983 yards with 24 touchdowns while also rushing 111 times for 875 yards with 10 scores.


https://247sports.com/college/virginia- ... 178466731/



List of schools that Offered Ferrell out of High School. Georgia State was one of the many schools.

https://247sports.com/recruitment/devin ... interests/

Brian Forster wrote: ↑8 months ago "Gabe Sloat has gone from 3rd down back to starting RB with Jaden Griffin his backup"

wow

This is where the lack of reporting I was talking about a week or so ago comes in. Did both of those guys beat out Jaylen Smith or does Smith have an injury? If he has an injury is it short term or long term? "The paper of record for the state" doesn't have that info

Here's the preview from the Georgia State side:

https://georgiastatesports.com/news/202 ... e-atl.aspx

What are the rules regarding the two deep? How accurate does it need to be?

Meaning- Jayden is listed as a kick returner. If he returns the kick, we may bring Gabe out to start and then rotate in Jaylen for the majority of game. Or maybe we start Gabe for the first play of the game so he can run a specific route (or block), before rotating in one of the transfers?

Good catch on Jaylen being on the two-deep as a kick returner, that would seemingly rule out injury.

Not sure how accurate it has to be, but I would imagine they could have Jaylen Smith listed as the top running back and have someone different start based on wanting to run a specific play. That Jaylen isn't listed as one of the top two backs and doesn't seem to have an injury is a surprise

ramster wrote: ↑8 months ago D1 Transfer Portal Movement
Transfers Lost To The FBS (5)
James Makszin (DL) to Ball State
Matt Thomas (DL) to Colorado State
Antonio Carter II (DB) to Notre Dame
Ajani Cornelius (OL) to Oregon
Dylan Brown (DL) to Florida State

Transfers Lost To The FCS (2)
Sebastian Sagar (LB) to Stephen F. Austin
Sean Stackpole (TE) to Stonehill

Transfers Coming In From The FBS (8)
Kareem Wilson (DL), FAU
Omari Walker (WR), Arkansas State
Kevin Pyne (OL), Boston College
Rian Black (WR), Coastal Carolina
Deon Silas (RB), Iowa State
Desmond Mamudi (DL), Virginia Tech
Devin Farrell (QB), Virginia Tech
Romello Edwards (DB), Tennessee

Transfers Coming In From The FCS (3)
Brent Jackson (DB), Bucknell
Brock Bethea (OL), Chattanooga
Braden Price (DB), Illinois State




https://herosports.com/fcs-2023-rhode-i ... view-bzbz/

Kareem Wilson - not on two-deep
Omari Walker - not on two-deep
Kevin Pyne - not on two-deep
Rian Black - not on two-deep
Deon Silas - not on two-deep
Desmond Mamudi - out for the year with an injury per our game notes
Devin Farrell - backup QB
Romello Edwards - not on two-deep
Brent Jackson - starting S
Brock Bethea - starting RT
Braden Price - starting CB

https://collegefootballnews.com/cfn/geo ... me-preview

This preview has Georgia State winning 34-27

Go Dev!!! I’m here to support my family. Check out my Youtube page to see more.

Farrell_Fan wrote: ↑8 months ago Go Dev!!! I’m here to support my family. Check out my Youtube page to see more.

Couple thoughts on Devin Ferrell.
He was the QB for Milton HS that went to the Championship Game in the Georgia State Playoffs in 7A - the highest State Classification. He has to be good to be the starting QB for a 7A Team that goes all the way to the State Championship in talent rich Georgia.
He then went to P5 Virginia Tech
Ferrell has already moved up to the #2 URI QB spot having just entered the Portal on April 24th this year

can somebody send me a link to the 2 deep chart?

Farrell_Fan wrote: ↑8 months ago can somebody send me a link to the 2 deep chart?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/side ... es_G01.pdf

Brian Forster wrote: ↑8 months ago some surprises on depth chart for sure.
Got to make some phone calls

Hurry up, man! What's going on?!?!?

1. really like the back up QB Farrell. No concern who is playing
2 Sloat has gotten faster. At least 4 deep at RB,no concern who is playing. They have somewhat different styles.
3. OL & DL transfers from BC & VT non factors
4. Depina Gray is great athlete. Frosh walk on
5. 4 of the 10 DBs are from Rhody HS. Lots of athletes back there
6. Shank (didn't come through) is behind frosh from New Canaan (great program)
7. LB from Cincy looks real good (Hightower)

most of the surprises are positions where they rotate
so not as major as thought

For point 3 in your first post, Mamudi is out for the season with an injury according to this week's game notes. Should still have two years after this one, three if he's given an extra redshirt year due to the injury. Hopefully that's still enough time to become a factor. I think Pyne, the OL from BC, is who he is at this point unfortunately. Talking to BC fans their line was atrocious last year and they were shocked he couldn't get on the field even in that situation.

For point 5, one of those DBs is Emmanuel Gomes from Woonsocket. As a high school senior in 2018 he led Woonsocket to the Division II title. Unfortunately earlier in that season his mother had a heart attack at one of his game and passed away.

https://www.wpri.com/sports/high-school ... greenwich/

My understanding is he's in our highly competitive Nursing program in large part to that. Obviously I'm cheering everyone on, but I have a little bit extra in the tank when it comes to him.

Glad that things aren't as major as you thought

Is there any chance Buchanan sees the field this year?

What about that massive D2 running back; wasn’t listed on two deep. He seemed like an immediate contributor at this level.

All good insight.

Lost in the running back discussion is Jaden Griffin. He had some impressive numbers his senior year, and if it is true that he beat out the transfers from Iowa State and West Chester along with Jaylen Smith, I'd be curious to see him perform.

I would have to imagine the biggest question mark heading into the season is the defensive back field. We lost quite a bit with transfers and graduation. Hearing good things about the DB from Bucknell. The DL was hit hard with transfers. While Neal and Burby have been solid, hopefully the depth behind them holds up.

bigappleram wrote: ↑8 months ago Is there any chance Buchanan sees the field this year?

What about that massive D2 running back; wasn’t listed on two deep. He seemed like an immediate contributor at this level.

Marquis Buchanan is listed as one of our backup WR's on the two-deep, so I have to imagine there's a good chance he gets playing time

good questions.
1. I should have phrased it-Mamudi was a non factor before his injury.
2. Buchanan is doing OK at WR,will have to see if steps it up when games start.
3. Neal & Burby can be two of the best linemen in the country. The position group played well in summer. Vs.a Rams O line that is top shelf.
4. The DBs are deep & loaded with athleticism. Regardless they will have to play better than last season's disappearing act.
5. All the RBs played well. Wouldn't read anything into depth chart.


The big takeaway from a cursory view,is the RIHS kids who came in non-schollie are doing better than some of the FBS transfers?
Scibelli a UM transfer who played well last season at guard was moved to DLine and is not on either 2 deep. behind a WNEC & St. Francis transfer.

That's disappointing to hear Mamudi was a non factor before the injury

Brian Forster wrote: ↑8 months ago good questions.
1. I should have phrased it-Mamudi was a non factor before his injury.
2. Buchanan is doing OK at WR,will have to see if steps it up when games start.
3. Neal & Burby can be two of the best linemen in the country. The position group played well in summer. Vs.a Rams O line that is top shelf.
4. The DBs are deep & loaded with athleticism. Regardless they will have to play better than last season's disappearing act.
5. All the RBs played well. Wouldn't read anything into depth chart.


The big takeaway from a cursory view,is the RIHS kids who came in non-schollie are doing better than some of the FBS transfers?
Scibelli a UM transfer who played well last season at guard was moved to DLine and is not on either 2 deep. behind a WNEC & St. Francis transfer.

Well I know Romello Edwards was a walk on at TN, so not surprised he wasn't in the two deep

According to the team's social media accounts they're flying down now.

RhowdyRam02 wrote: ↑8 months ago According to the team's social media accounts they're flying down now.

Flyin' down to kick some a.

Preview:

https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/rho ... -august-31

Let's get this dub!

Just saw URI +16.5 , we should cover that ?

Seen 3 spreads now:

+16.5
+17.5
+17.7

Juicy?????????

Ok I took URI +17 you guys seem to know what you are talking about

Is there terrestrial radio?
Steve and Terry?

Brian Forster wrote: ↑8 months ago 1. really like the back up QB Farrell. No concern who is playing
2 Sloat has gotten faster. At least 4 deep at RB,no concern who is playing. They have somewhat different styles.
3. OL & DL transfers from BC & VT non factors
4. Depina Gray is great athlete. Frosh walk on
5. 4 of the 10 DBs are from Rhody HS. Lots of athletes back there
6. Shank (didn't come through) is behind frosh from New Canaan (great program)
7. LB from Cincy looks real good (Hightower)

1. Love Farrell.
2. Sloat looked great in the Spring game, as did Griffin.
3. OL line looks solid once again. Defensive line better than last year but I sure will miss Thomas
4. Will be fun to watch Gray
5. Yep. Lot of DB talent. Fighting for playing time.
6. How about the other Freshman? Also ahead of Shank? Kicking can't be worse than last year.
7. Linebackers look good, tough for Hightower to break in but if/when he does that will be impressive.

Bos8 wrote: ↑8 months ago All good insight.

Lost in the running back discussion is Jaden Griffin. He had some impressive numbers his senior year, and if it is true that he beat out the transfers from Iowa State and West Chester along with Jaylen Smith, I'd be curious to see him perform.

I would have to imagine the biggest question mark heading into the season is the defensive back field. We lost quite a bit with transfers and graduation. Hearing good things about the DB from Bucknell. The DL was hit hard with transfers. While Neal and Burby have been solid, hopefully the depth behind them holds up.

In Spring game Sloat had seven carries for 22 yards and a touchdown, while Jaden Griffin ran nine times for 41 yards. I think they are the guys to beat. Last season we had a guy break out in a huge, huge way - can that happen again this year?

Linebacker Cole Brockwell had some big plays last year and looked god in Spring game. Could be a big year for him.


Defensive back Seun Filaoye had five tackles and an interception in the Spring game. Will be one to watch.

Safety Jordan Colbert who transferred from Columbia had a pair of tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in the Spring game. He had a solid season last year but didn't get as much publicity as I think he warranted. He has All CAA potential imho.

Linebacker A.J. Pena was just a freshman last year. Could breakout this year. Can really pressure the QB. He led the team in sacks last year with 5.5 - and just a Freshman!!

Wish Matt Thomas hadn't transferred but others can and will step up.