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Rice Basketball blown away by Indiana State

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Rice basketball opened the Ball Dawgs Classic with a loss to Indiana State, losing the turnover battle and allowing too many long range shots.

Nothing seemed amiss in the early goings of the opening game for Rice basketball at the Ball Dawgs Classic in Las Vegas, NV. Rice and Indiana State traded early shots and were neck and neck through the first half of the opening frame. With the Owls leading 19-18 and the clock ticking under 12, it felt like a competitive game was about to unfold. That would not be the case.

Rice would go on to make just two shots in the next seven minutes of court time. During that period, Indiana State rained down six threes. The Owls simply could not keep up and their woes were further magnified by a season-high 18 turnovers.

That run took a close game and teetered it toward blowout territory. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Rice trailed by 21. Travis Evee did his part, contributing a season-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early hole. Rice cut the deficit to 13 in the final minute, but they never had a real chance to win this basketball game once they fell behind in the manner with which they did.

“We knew they were a really good team coming in. They are a good team,” head coach Scott Pera said. “They made 16 threes and you’re never going to lose when you do that.”

Final Box | Indiana State 103 – Rice 88

Key takeaway | Don’t Hand Away Your Margin

Rice basketball had committed 18 turnovers in their last two games combined and 23 total on the season. To turn the ball over 18 times was devastating for the Owls’ offensive flow and marked one of the sloppiest performances taking care of the basketball for this team in quite some time. They only had three games with more turnovers in all of last season.

Pera pointed directly toward that glaring deficiency when explaining the loss. “I think it was our inability to take care of the ball,” he said. “We gave them turnovers. We gave them some open looks. There was a lot of miscommunication on defense that gave them wide-open looks. And they didn’t miss them.”

Rice made 10 threes against Indiana State and shot the ball decently well. They scored 88 points. This was a game that might have been competitive if the Owls had done enough to keep the game within reach. This team can score, but that skill won’t pay dividends if the defense and ball handling aren’t strong enough to keep games within reach.

There’s only so much margin for error that can be accounted for in a basketball game. Rice handed away all that margin and then some. The best teams struggle to win when turning the ball over at the rate the Owls’ did on Tuesday. Rice has some work to do before they’re in that company.

Up Next: Ball Dawg’s Classic – Henderson, NV (New Mexico – Nov. 22)

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Rice Football 2023: FAU presser quotes and depth chart

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Rice football hosts FAU this week. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup at hand and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Charlotte game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with FAU.

Listen Now: The Roost Pod – Breaking down Rice Football vs Charlotte

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“All we did about by winning that game and taking care of business on Saturday is made this week much bigger, I told them that in the locker room after the game and it’s so true, we understand we’re in playoff mindset. We understand the degree of how important this last game, the last game of the regular season. We’re excited for it.”– Mike Bloomgren on the impact of the Charlotte game

“He had a good doctor’s appointment yesterday. He’s better every single day and nothing has changed from what I told you last week. The moment he can he feels like he can do this thing, we’re going to go with him.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of JT Daniels

“He was on their team last year. And I vaguely remember him. Coach Alamar showed me some film today where he was the punt returner last year. But this year, you can’t turn on a single one of their films without noticing him. He is so exceptional. I think he does a great job.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of FAU WR LaJohntay Wester

“We all know what’s at stake. I’m not having any trouble getting these guys to focus or be in the building. They’re sleeping here in the building, just like a coaches are. They’re around here all the time. It doesn’t matter if [FAU] scored 100 points last game or zero, or eight as they did, but whatever the case, our team is just ultra focused on this opponent and we’re certainly giving them the amount of respect that they deserve. We know that they’re very talented football team.” – Mike Bloomgren on the teams’ focus right now 

“To be completely honest, I haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it. Coach Smith has a great phrase, be where your feet are. I’ve really tried to just focus on prep for this week, focus on prep for last week, as well. Just get the offensive line, especially the guys that are kind of within my frame of control, just make sure we’re as prepared as possible…

I do think it’s going to be emotional during the game. This is my sixth year and this is the final home game. Going back all the way to 2018, there’s been a lot of ups, a lot of downs. A lot of good moments, a lot of bad moments in this stadium, but I’m so extremely blessed to to have been here for all six years and to have a guy like Coach Bloomgren sort of mentor me and coach me through through life as well as football.” – Offensive lineman Clay Servin on his final home game

“I think everybody is so proud of DJ, what he’s overcome in this program. What he’s battled through and how he was able to come out when his number was called…He’s out there recognizing things, recognizing plays. He’s a very instinctive player and it’s really been fun out there playing with him, communicating on the field, seeing things before they happen and watching him go run around and make the play.” – Linebacker Myron Morrison on teammate DJ Arkansas 

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Tight end Jack Bradley was a late scratch on Saturday against Charlotte and has been removed from the depth chart entirely this week. That typically portends to an absence on game day. That means Boden Groen and Elijah Mojarro would be the Owls’ primary tight ends with Bloomgren confirming Mojarro’s availability on Tuesday.

Andrew Awe is listed as the starter at Mike linebacker over DJ Arkansas. Both should play, regardless of how the depth chart reads. Gabe Taylor and Tyson Flowers share an or designation at safety this week. How that sorts out might depend on which packages the Owls run in which situation. It’ll be something we have updates on later in the week — make you subscribe on Patreon for the latest practice report.

The rest of the depth chart reads as it did last week. As for the quarterbacks, Bloomgren said AJ Padgett would be in line to start again, should Daniels not be cleared, and that no matter who starts, Chase Jenkins will get some time on the field to take advantage of his fourth game of playing time while retaining his redshirt status.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 168 – Rice Football blasts Charlotte

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Rice football got back in the win column with an emphatic victory over Charlotte thanks to a dominant defense and an outstanding day from Dean Connors.

For the first time in the last four weeks, Rice football faced an opponent that was not unbeaten in league play and the Owls took out several weeks’ worth of frustration against the hapless Charlotte 49ers. This game wasn’t very close and Rice did what they needed to do to put it out of reach and then slam the door. We recap the win and talk about the true talent level of this team as the season winds down.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 168.

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite. So is the brand new Luv-Ya-Owls shirt. Shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

Homefield

Patreon

Get exclusive insight on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes practice updates, analysis and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.

Become a Patron!

Recapping Rice Football vs Charlotte

  • What a day from the Rice defense
  • What a day from Dean Connors
  • Rice corners Tre’shon Devones and Sean Fresch deliver again
  • What could this team’s record be against a more balanced AAC schedule?
  • DJ Arkansas shines
  • One big game left against FAU

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.ri

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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Rice Football 2023: NFL Owls Week 11 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2023 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 11.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

Team NFL Owl(s) This Week Result Next Week
Denver Broncos Elijah Garcia (DL) vs Vikings (SNF) W, 21-20 vs Browns
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) vs Bears W, 31-26 vs Packers (Thr)
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE)  — BYE —  — vs Bucs
Los Angeles Rams Austin Trammell (WR) vs Seahawks W, 17-16 at Chargers (SNF)
New England Patriots Calvin Anderson (OL) — BYE —  — at Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK) at Browns L, 13-10 at Bengals
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) at Rams L, 17-16 vs 49ers (Thr)
Tampa Bay Bucs Nick Leverett (OL) at 49ers L, 27-14 at Colts

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Patriots

Anderson and the Patriots were on bye in Week 11.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson and the Colts were on bye in Week 11.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett was active for the Bucs’ Week 11 game against the 49ers  but did not play.

Austin Trammell – WR, Rams

Trammell turned in a career day for the Rams on Sunday, tallying a personal best three receptions for 23 yards on six targets. All three marks were career highs. Trammell finished second among all Rams’ wideouts in receptions.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was inactive for the Seahawks’ Week 11 game against the Rams.

Elijah Garcia – DL, Broncos

Garcia was inactive for the Broncos’ Sunday Night Football contest against the Vikings.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted twice on Sunday, delivering a pair of brilliant blasts, both of which were downed inside the 20 with the longest traveling 60 yards. Also, he wore this rather fantastic costume:

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was only called to the field twice on Sunday. He converted a 28-yard field goal and drove through an extra point try.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more detail on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Bokunewicz’s big day powers Rice Women’s Basketball past St. Mary’s

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Rice women’s basketball overcame a slow start, catching fire in the second half behind the masterful shooting performance of Maya Bokunewicz.

It wasn’t the start Rice women’s basketball would have hoped to see on Sunday afternoon. After trading baskets early, Rice fell behind by nine points by the end of the first quarter, committing uncharacteristic penalties and making mental mistakes. Their opponent, Saint Mary’s pushed their advantage to double-digits early in the second quarter, putting the game on the brink of disaster should the Owls not settle down.

Head coach Lindsay Edmonds pulled the team aside and challenged them to focus.

“I just challenged. I challenge them to be who we are. We had not been that yet. And I was just telling them if wanted to play today, they would show up and play because at that point I  didn’t feel like they had shown up,” Edmonds said. “If we were playing blah it is not good for us. So I just challenged them to be us. And if they were ready to play, I was ready to watch them. They stepped up and they were ready to get going after that.

Not only did Rice find its rhythm, but they played some of their best basketball yet from that point onward. An 11-0 Rice run erased the Gaels’ lead entirely, with the Owls taking a brief two-point lead before heading into halftime even at 35-all.

The defense was starting to gel and the Owls were taking better care of the basketball. Maya Bokunewicz did the rest. The veteran guard connected on seven three-pointers, tying the school record and pushing the Rice lead to as many as 16 points.

When St. Mary’s tried to mount a late comeback, Rice made its free throws and Dominque Ennis delivered the dagger three in the closing seconds to put the game away. Rice moves to 3-2 with the win.

Final Box | Rice 73 – St. Mary’s 62

What They’re Saying

“We have kids that are now sophomores that were freshmen and played a lot of minutes, but there’s still ultimately very young on the basketball court. But there’s a lot of times they do not show their youth and inexperience at times today, I felt like we we showed that a little bit, but we’re still figuring it out. We don’t want to peak right now. We want to be peaking in February and March. I told them after the last game, we don’t need to hang our heads and hopefully, these adversities we’re facing now are going to bring us blessings in February and March.” – Head coach Lindsay Edmonds

Key takeaway | Masterful Maya

This team is still learning who to lean on in big moments. A season ago, Ashlee Austin and Destiny Jackson were the spark plugs that willed this program to win. Jackson remains, but her role as a distributor is just as important as that of a scorer. She’s going to need someone else to make those clutch shots. On Sunday, that clutch someone was Maya Bokunewicz.

“Maya Buckets, that’s the opening statement,” Edmonds joked.

Bokunewicz tied a career-high with 26 points, reached in large part by the aforementioned seven triples. Even with her big day from behind the arc, Rice still only shot 38 percent from the floor. All of those makes mattered. The fact that they counted for three instead of two was a bonus.

“I kind of lost count,” Bokunewicz admitted. “I would just shoot one and it would go in… it kept happening. Like coach Edmonds said, my teammates really just found me, I was wide open and I just happened to be really on today.”

Up Next: at Stephen F. Austin (Sat. Nov 25)

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