2022 was a historic year for Fordham Football offensively. Quarterback Tim DeMorat broke just about every single-season and career passing record in the Fordham history books and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. With 4,891 passing yards and 56 touchdowns, DeMorat’s 2022 season was one of the greatest in Fordham history.
Fordham were also historic defensively, but for the wrong reasons. While DeMorat and the Fordham offense set a school record with 594 points scored last season, the defense allowed 434 points, also the most in school history.
With the top-ranked offense in the Patriot League and the next-to-worst defense, the Rams were consistently in close, high-scoring contests. They eventually finished 9-3, losing heartbreakers to Ohio University and the College of the Holy Cross before finishing second in the Patriot League and falling to the University of New Hampshire in the opening round of the NCAA FCS Championship.
Despite the 9-3 record last year, head coach Joe Conlin’s team was so close to achieving more. But heading into 2023, key departures and some new faces have this Fordham team looking a little different than last year.
On the offensive side of the ball, DeMorat, running back Trey Sneed and receivers Fotis Kokosioulis and Dequece Carter all departed the program. While all were major contributors in 2022 and will be missed, Fordham still retains experience on offense. Junior running back Julius Loughridge returns after being named Second Team All-Patriot League last season, as does graduate student receiver MJ Wright, who hauled in 11 touchdowns and was an All-Patriot League Selection. In addition, Fordham returns four of five starters on the offensive line.
The biggest change will come at quarterback. For the first time since 2018, Fordham enters a season without Tim DeMorat in the quarterback room. CJ Montes, a sophomore transfer from the University of New Mexico, is the quarterback with the most experience on this roster. He played in seven games over two seasons at New Mexico, making two starts. Sophomore Jack Capaldi and senior Joey Gulbin are also options, but neither has much in-game experience at the collegiate level. Things will certainly look different at quarterback with no DeMorat, but the Rams have plenty of weapons offensively to be productive.
On defense, the biggest loss is All-American linebacker Ryan Greenhagen, who leaves Fordham as the school’s all-time leader in tackles. Junior James Conway, a preseason All-Patriot League selection, will lead the linebacking core.
Fordham’s defensive line returns three of four starters, while the secondary returns two. Graduate student Stephen Williams II and sophomore Alex Kemper will look to hold things down in the defensive backfield, an area Fordham really struggled in last season. The offense looks like it has the tools to be at the top of the Patriot League, but the defense must improve from last year if Fordham wants to be successful.
The Rams open the season on Aug. 25 against the University at Albany, while Patriot League play begins on Sept. 30 away against Georgetown University.
Last year’s Patriot League title came down to a nail biting clash against Holy Cross in Worcester, with the Crusaders prevailing in overtime 53-52. This year, Fordham will host Holy Cross on Oct. 28, a game that could once again decide the winner of the Patriot League.
Some program legends may have departed, but the Rams still have the tools to put together a solid 2023 season.
