Head coach Darren Rizzi and the Rams open 2008 regular season play vs. Monmouth on Aug. 30 at Meade Stadium

July 23, 2008

2008 CAA Football Preseason Awards

BALTIMORE -- Senior All-American running back Joe Casey was selected to the 2008 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference team and Rhode Island was tabbed to finish sixth in the North Division, it was announced today at the league's media day at the ESPNZone in Baltimore.

It is the third consecutive season that Casey earned preseason all-conference accolades.

Casey, a three-time First Team all-conference RB, rushed for 782 yards in eight games in 2007 before suffering a season-ending injury. He averaged 103.8 yards per game and posted three 100-yard games, including a season-high 130 yards against Hofstra on Sept. 22.

In his final game of the season, the Syracuse, N.Y. rushed for 105 yards in 23 carries in less than three quarters before leaving with an injury at New Hampshire. Following the season, he was also named to The Sports Network All-America Third Team.

Casey enters his senior season tied with Jayson Davis (2002-05) for fourth-place on Rhode Island's all-time rushing yards list with 2,901 yards and tied for seventh with former teammate Jerell Jones (2003-07) with 16 career rushing touchdowns.

The Rams are coming off a 3-8 campaign in 2007 - including a 2-7 mark in CAA Football play. New head coach Darren Rizzi - a former URI All-American at tight end - will begin his a new era in URI football on Aug. 30 when Monmouth visits Meade Stadium at 1 p.m.

Massachusetts was selected as the favorite in CAA Football, edging out James Madison for the top spot on the preseason poll.

Season tickets are now on sale through the Ryan Center Box Office. For more ticket information, click here, or call the box office at (401) 874-RAMS.

Individual tickets go on sale on Aug. 1 through the Ryan Center box office.