FCS-CFB Game Preview: Long Island Sharks (1-2) vs. Rhode Island Rams (3-0)

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Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Meade Stadium, Kingston, Rhode Island (Capacity: ~6,500)
Broadcast: FloFootball

Weather Forecast (Kingston, RI – Sept. 20, 2025)

Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by the 4th quarter

Conditions: Mostly sunny, light winds (5–7 mph)

Impact: Excellent early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

LIU Sharks (NEC):

QB Luca Stanzani – Healthy, 180 passing yards, 160 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs through 3 games.

RB O’Shawn Ross Jr. – Healthy, 109 rushing yards, 1 TD.

WR Deion Richardson – Healthy, 70 yards receiving.

Rhode Island Rams (CAA):

QB Devin Farrell – Healthy, 862 passing yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT through 3 games.

RB Antwain Littleton – Healthy, 301 rushing yards, 3 TDs.

WR Marquis Buchanan – Healthy, 322 yards, 2 TDs.

WR Greg Gaines III – Healthy, 209 yards receiving.

Key Player Matchups

QB Luca Stanzani (LIU) vs. URI Linebackers

Stanzani is a dual-threat who can extend plays with his legs; URI must contain him outside the pocket.

RB Antwain Littleton (URI) vs. LIU Front Seven

Littleton’s power running (100.3 YPG) could wear down LIU’s smaller defensive front.

WR Marquis Buchanan (URI) vs. LIU Secondary

Buchanan is averaging 107.3 YPG; LIU must prevent explosive plays downfield.

QB Devin Farrell (URI) vs. LIU Pass Rush

Farrell’s efficiency (57-for-99 passing) will be tested if LIU can generate pressure.

Recent Team Form

LIU Sharks (1–2, NEC)

9/13: L 24–21 vs. Sacred Heart

9/6: W 28–23 @ Eastern Michigan (FBS upset)

8/30: L 55–0 @ Florida (FBS)

Trend: Offense averaging 16.3 PPG; defense allowing 33.7 PPG.

Rhode Island Rams (3–0, CAA)

9/13: W 9–7 @ Holy Cross

9/6: W 31–17 @ Stony Brook

8/29: W 31–20 vs. Campbell

Trend: Offense averaging 23.7 PPG; defense allowing just 14.7 PPG.

Series History

Last meeting: Sept. 21, 2024 – Rhode Island defeated LIU 28–21.

Rhode Island leads the all-time series 1–0.

Betting Trends

LIU:

2–3 ATS in last 5 games.

Overs hit in 3 of last 5.

1–4 SU in last 5 overall.

Rhode Island:

4–1 SU in last 5 games.

3–2 ATS in last 5.

Unders hit in 3 of last 5.

Head-to-Head: URI covered in their only prior meeting (2024).

Historical Betting Results

LIU: Struggles ATS against CAA and FBS opponents; overs more common when defense collapses.

Rhode Island: Profitable ATS at home; unders frequent when defense controls tempo.

CAA vs. NEC Trends: CAA teams cover ~65% of the time in September non-conference games.

Game Odds

Long Island Sharks           46.5

Rhode Island Rams          – 16.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025