Meet the Fordham Rams. The proud football team of Fordham University in the Bronx, New York.
The Rams have a revered football legacy — ever heard of a guy named Vince Lombardi?
Lately, Fordham football hasn't quite lived up to Lombardi's example. In 2010, Quarterback John Skelton became the first Ram selected in the NFL draft since 1968. In three seasons in the league, he has appeared in 20 games and has a 63.0 passer ranking.
You might have seen Skelton with the Cincinnati Bengals on HBO Hard Knocks this season. He was cut.
Despite the less than stellar performance the last few seasons — a 22-33 record since 2008 — Fordham went into 2013 with high hopes, a motivated second-year coach, and a number of high-profile recruits and transfer players.
In their first game of the 2013 campaign, Fordham smashed the University of Rhode Island, 51-26. SMASHED.
Then they edged top-10-ranked Villanova 27-24. It was the first time Fordham beat Villanova since 1920.
Fordham and Villanova play in the FCS, formerly known as Division I-AA. Think of it as the scrappy little brother to the FBS, a.k.a. Division I.
Speaking of FBS Division I football teams, next up, Fordham upset Temple University for the team's first win over an FBS team in school history!
Dang, nice grab.
The Rams followed up their big victory over Temple by trouncing Columbia, 52-7, on homecoming weekend at Fordham's Rose Hill campus.
And then the Fordham faithful started to be like...
Rams football 4-0! Maybe this is a real thing!
The following week Fordham rallied at St. Francis and won their fifth straight, putting up 21 points in fourth quarter!
Setting up a match-up in the Bronx vs. 5-0 Lehigh. The battle of the unbeatens.
YES! Fordham tops Lehigh, 52-34, and stays undefeated! 6-0!
The win over Lehigh propelled Fordham into the Top-10 in FCS!
The following week the Rams defeated Georgetown, improving to 7-0 on the year. Quarterback Mike Nebrich threw for over 400-yards, completing his first 20 passes and setting a Patriot League record for most consecutive completions to open a game.
Next up, Fordham traveled to New Haven, CT where the Rams routed Yale, 52-31, to become the first team in school history to open a season 8-0. Wide receiver Sam Ajala set a school record with 281 yards receiving and four touchdown. 281 yards. Ridiculous.
Here's something interesting. Fordham is now ranked #7. And not just in the FCS...#7 in the whole country according to the Sagarin Rankings, which are used in the BCS! Unfortunately, only FBS teams are eligible for BCS bowls. Still, this is awesome.
Fordham continued its historic run by edging out Holy Cross, 32-30, to improve to 9-0. 9-0!!
Next up, Fordham survived a first half injury knocking quarterback Mike Nebrich out of the game and narrowly squeaked by Bucknell, 23-21. 10-0!!
