RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Rhode Island has decided to remain a member of the CAA's football conference.

Rhode Island athletic director Thorr Bjorn says the move ``makes the most sense'' logistically after southern schools Old Dominion and Georgia State announced plans to leave the league after this season, while northeastern schools Albany and Stony Brook announced they are joining.

The Rams had planned to downgrade football and move to the Northeastern Conference after this season.

CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager says he's thrilled that URI accepted his invitation to reconsider. He says the Rams expand the opportunities for rivalries to develop in the northeast.

Rhode Island is a charter member of CAA football, which started in 1946 as the Yankee Conference. The Rams' return will give CAA football 11 teams in 2013.