Rhode Island may be a small state, but it’s still one that loves college football, with the Rhode Island Rams being the state’s flagship program. That’s why last-minute Rhode Island football tickets are always in high demand. Granted, as an FCS program, it’s a little easier to find cheap Rhode Island football tickets than for teams at the FBS level. The Rams have a long football history that dates back to 1895 and plays in the Colonial Athletic Association, which is one of the top conferences at the FCS level. Under no circumstances should Rhode Island be dismissed as a football state, making the Rams a big deal.

Double Dip

The heyday of Rhode Island football took place in the 1950s and the 80s. During the 50s, the Rams won four Yankee Conference championships between 1952 and 1957. While they struggled to maintain that same high level of success, the Rams emerged again in the 80s, winning three Yankee Conference titles between 1981 and 1985. Those conference championships also took Rhode Island to the FCS Playoffs for the first time in program history. In 1984 and 1985, the Rams finished the season with ten wins, reaching the playoff semifinals in 1984 and the quarterfinals in 1985. Those remain the best seasons in program history.

Keep Your Enemies Close

College football is all about rivalries, and Rhode Island has two serious rivalries, both with fellow New England schools. First, there is in-state rival Brown, an Ivy League school. The Bears and Rams have met over 100 times and continue to play each other each year, with the Governor’s Cup trophy on the line. The Rams also have a historic rivalry with the UConn Huskies. Rhode Island and Connecticut are border rivals, with the schools just 60 miles apart. While games in this rivalry are increasingly rare, with UConn playing at the FBS level, the Huskies and Rams were once bitter Yankee Conference rivals and have a history that dates back to 1897, making this rivalry a big deal every time it’s played.