No. 14 Rhode Island Rams face a family weekend showdown with the Monmouth Hawks

The No. 14 Rhode Island Rams (7-1, 4-0 CAA) look to continue their winning streak this Saturday as they face the Monmouth Hawks (4-4, 2-2 CAA) in what promises to be a high-stakes clash at Meade Stage. With the Family Weekend celebrations set to bring a full house, this clash will be just the fourth meeting between the two teams since 2008, with Rhody holding a narrow 2-1 lead in the series.

Last year's marathon showdown between Rhode Island and Monmouth etched itself into FCS history with a seven-overtime thriller that ended with the Rams winning 48-46. In the game, which was also the longest in CAA and FCS history, former Rhody star Marques DeShields rushed for 256 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, giving head coach Jim Fleming his 50th win.

Although Rhode Island leads the series, Monmouth has outscored the Rams 111-81 in their matchups, making this matchup anything but predictable. The Hawks arrive with a 2-1 away record and two of the biggest offensive opponents in the country in quarterback Derek Robertson and running back Sone Ntoh. Robertson leads FCS with 322.4 yards per game while Ntoh leads the nation with 18 rushing touchdowns, setting up a classic battle between Monmouth's offensive power and Rhode Island's relentless defense.

The Rams' defense, which ranks seventh nationally with 59 tackles for loss (TFL), was relentless. Rhody defenses have forced opponents to give up 200 total yards this season, with linebacker AJ Pena leading the way with 12.0 TFLs for 67 yards. Last week against Maine, Rhode Island recorded a season-high six sacks, with defensive lineman Carson Primrose leading the way with two.

Offensively, the Rams have reached the end zone 16 times in the ground game this season. Monmouth will have to keep up with Rhode Island's potent attack, especially in front of a sellout crowd. URI's home games this season have drawn over 20,000 fans, and with Family Weekend in full swing, this sold-out game will only add to the Rams' undefeated record at Meade Stadium (4-0).

Rhode Island's 7-1 start has put them in uncharted territory. With a win Saturday, the Rams would post an eight-win season for the first time since 2001, a rare feat in the program's 128-year history. Head coach Jim Fleming, now in his 10th year, has directed three of the Rams' nine seven-win seasons, proving he has built a perennial contender in Kingston.

The Rams and Hawks meet on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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