Rice football says thanks to 20 seniors that put their heart and soul into this program. They will be formally recognized on Senior Day against Old Dominion.
On Senior Day the Owls will recognize 20 players from a variety of places and roles in the Rice football program. All 20 of those players have already or will graduate with degrees. That’s a tremendous accomplishment of which head coach Mike Bloomgren and the staff take much pride.
Austin Walter is one of several players that will be missed next year and beyond. His on-field efforts have energized an offense that needed a spark. “It’s bittersweet,” said Walter as he reminisced on his last game wearing blue and grey, “This has probably been my best statistical year, but I’m not as happy because I wanted to leave a legacy as a team.”
One win through the first 12 games of the season doesn’t adequately portray the importance of what Walter and others have done to build this culture. They’ve led well through a coaching change and set up the younger classes for success down the road. “Looking back at it, there’s nothing I regret,” recounted Walter.
The wins have been hard to come but head coach Mike Bloomgren is confident the effort of players like Walter have not been put forth in vain. He believes the ripple effects of their labor will go well beyond the on-field product in 2018. “I don’t know if I can articulate how much I’ve appreciated these seniors and how much they’ve done to help advance our mission,” he said, speaking confidently of the leadership and cultural foundation this class has built into the Rice program.
Each of the 20 members being recognized Saturday has made their mark on this program. Some will look to further their playing careers at the next level, many will look elsewhere. Regardless of where their next step will take them, thank you, seniors, for all you’ve done for Rice Football.
Players being recognized on Senior Day
Lawrence Cimino – cornerback
- 5 career appearances (none in 2018)
- Earned scholarship for 2018 season
Jorian Clark – cornerback
- Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with two starts
- 2018 stats: 17 tackles, two pass breakups
Josh Cummings – cornerback
- Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with no starts
- 2018 stats: 5 tackles
Brandon Douglas-Dotson – cornerback
- Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with nine starts
- 2018 stats: 13 tackles (2 TFL), two pass breakups
Jack Fox – punter/specialist
- Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
- 2018 stats: 45.6 average punt distance, 25 inside the 20, 24 punts of 50+ yards, 5-of-12 field goals, 20-of-20 PATs
Giovani Gentosi – fullback
- Graduate transfer from UCLA
- Played all 12 games in 2018 with three starts
- 2018 stats: six carries for 39 yards, four receptions for 27 yards
Parker Hanusa – defensive lineman
- Played 11 of 12 games in 2018 with no starts
- 2018 stats: 13 tackles
Cameron Johnson – wide receiver
- 9 career appearances (none in 2018)
- Former walk on who earned a scholarship
Trevor Long – wide receiver / special teams
- 16 career appearances (none in 2018)
Clayton Malcomb – long snapper
- 10 career appearances (none in 2018)
Andrew Mike
- Graduate transfer from Florida
- 2018 stats: 5 appearances
Martin Nwakamma – linebacker
- Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with four starts
- 2018 stats: 14 tackles (2 TFL), one fumble recovery, one pass breakup
Sam Pierce – offensive line
- Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
- One of eight players to start every game for Rice this season
Graysen Schantz – defensive end
- Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
- 2018 stats: 48 tackles (4 TFL), one fumble recovery
Shawn Stankavage – quarterback
- Played in 9 games of 12 games in 2018 with 9 starts
- 2018 stats: 1,328 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Samuel Stewart – running back
- 28 career appearances (none in 2018)
- 1605 career all-purpose yards, 10 touchdowns
Carl Thompson – defensive line
- 18 career appearances (none in 2018)
- 32 career tackles, 1.5 sacks
Haden Tobola – kicker/specialist
- 9 appearances in 2018 with no starts
- 2018 stats: 10-of-11 field goals, career-long 51-yards vs LSU
Austin Walter – running back / wide receiver
- 12 appearances in 2018 with 4 starts
- 2018 stats: 557 rushing yards, 501 receiving yards, six total touchdowns
Brady Wright – defensive end
- 11 appearances in 2018 with no starts
- 2018 stats: two tackles
