THE BASICS
Bryant (2-2, 0-0 Big South-OVC Football Association) at No. 24/RV Rhode Island (2-2, 2-1 CAA Football)
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m. EST
Live Stats | Audio: Varsity Network | Video: FloFootball | Game Notes
 

RHODE ISLAND VS. BRYANT - SERIES NOTES

• Saturday's meeting will be the fourth all-time between Rhode Island and Bryant. 
• The Rams kicked off the history between the teams with a 28-0, shutout victory on Aug. 31, 2002 and have not lost to the Bulldogs since.
• Following a 19-year gap that did not see the teams face off, Rhody claimed back-to-back wins in both 2021 (Sept. 4, 45-21) and 2022 (Sept. 10, 35-21). 
• Quarterback Kasim Hill has had significant success in the past two dates with Bryant. 
• He has combined for 539 passing yards in the contests, throwing four touchdown passes while rushing for one himself.  
• While Hill has stood out offensively in each of his two meetings with the Bulldogs, the story of last year's game was linebacker A.J. Pena's 3.5 sacks.
• A true freshman at the time, Pena tied former Ram L.B. Mack III for the second-most sacks by a URI player in a single game while forcing the Bulldogs to give up 10 yards on the ground. 
• Pena was one of seven Rams to sack Bryant's quarterback last year. Both Evan Stewart and Jake Fire had 1.5 each, while safety Henry Yianakopolos, defensive back Jarrett Martin and defensive lineman James Makszin added one apiece.
• Defensive lineman Westley Neal, Jr. assisted on a sack as well. 

BATTLE FOR THE OCEAN STATE

• Of the 98 players on the Rhode Island roster, 22 call the Ocean State home. 
• Over 10 different towns and cities are represented on the squad. 

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER

• It was announced on Aug. 9, 2023 that Bryant University accepted an invitation to join the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference, effective July 1, 2024.
• The Bulldogs will join the Rams and the rest of CAA Football following a one-year stint with the Big South-OVC Football Association. 
• The majority of Bryant's Olympic sports compete in the America East conference.
• CAA Football membership will increase to 16 when Bryant joins fellow America East members Maine, New Hampshire and UAlbany.
• The Ocean State is now one of three that will have the chance to celebrate an in-state rivalry during the 2024 CAA Football slate. 
• Elon, Campbell and North Carolina A&T call the Tar Heel State home.
• Richmond, Hampton and William & Mary are each located in Virginia. 

MALLAY MAKING PLAYS

• Just four games into the 2023 season, defensive back Fredrick Mallay has already recorded a pair of interceptions. 
• The Providence, R.I. native had one in his previous three seasons suiting up for the Rams. 
• He is one of just six players in the league to record two or more picks through the start of the year. 
• Stony Brook's Nick Chimienti has posted a league-best four. 
• Mallay made his third consecutive start in the contest at Villanova.  
• He has six tackles this season.