The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football 2022: NFL Owls Week 1 Stats Update

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2022 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 1.

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) Week 1 Result Week 2
LA Chargers Bryce Callahan (DB) vs Las Vegas W, 24-19 at Kansas City (TNF)
Denver Calvin Anderson (OL) at Seattle (MNF) L, 17-16 vs Houston
Pittsburgh Chris Boswell (PK) at Cincinnati W, 23-20 (OT) vs New England
Detroit Jack Fox (P) vs Philadelphia L, 38-35 vs Washington
Tampa Bay Nick Leverett (OL) at Dallas (SNF) W, 19-3 at New Orleans
Seattle Myles Adams (DL) vs Denver (MNF) W, 17-16 at San Francisco

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson was active but did not play in the Broncos’ Week 1 loss to the Seahawks.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett was active but did not play in the Bucs’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was inactive for the Seahawks’ Monday Night Football game against the Broncos.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Chargers

Callahan had five tackles in his debut game with the chargers and tied for the team lead with two passes defended. He also had one of the team’s nine quarterback hits in the win and one of three team interceptions, slamming the door in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Christian Covington – DL, Chargers

Covington was on the Chargers’ practice squad during Week 1 but was signed to the active roster on Monday with the team waiving defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko to make room for Covington.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted four times against the Eagles, but it was his (young) career marks that stood out the most. The Lions announced in a postgame media release that Fox now owns the highest gross (49.1) and net (43.4) punting averages through a player’s first 125 career punts in NFL history.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell converted three of four field goals and a pair of extra points on Sunday, but it was his final kick that fans will remember most. He drilled this 53-yarder in overtime to deliver the walk-off win.

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football turns in mirror image showing in rebound win

By

From the lowest of lows to the highest of highs, Rice football soared past McNeese State, vanquishing whate

Rice football turned the ball over four times against USC, with three interceptions coming on balls that were tipped off the hands of their own wide receivers. On Saturday against McNeese State, it was Rice doing the taking away, forcing five turnovers (one of which came via deflected pass) on their way to a rout of McNeese State.

The Rice offense did its part too with quarterback TJ McMahon accounting for five touchdowns (four by air, one on the ground) while completing 20-of-29 passes for 274 yards. That could not have looked any more different from last week’s multi-interception game in which McMahon through for just 65 yards and no scores.

Stay Tuned: Rice Football vs McNeese coming soon on The Roost Podcast

“USC was kind of like a reality check for us,” McMahon said at the postgame podium, recapping the most decisive victory in the four-plus-year tenure of Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren. While it’s true the Owls might have come down to earth, they soon took off, again.

In light of the result, McMahon was able to laugh off a false start penalty in the second quarter in the second quarter against wide receiver Luke McCaffrey. “I think he’s just faster than everyone else,” he said with a grin. The handful of deep passes that fell out of reach were met with a stern “good not great, definitely a lot of things to learn and work on.” But even that came with a smile.

No man was smiling bigger than Bloomgren, who had remarked in the aftermath last week that this still was a “very, very good football team.”

“Thank God I was right,” Bloomgren said with a chuckle when reminded of that comment.

“I knew we were a good football team. I knew we didn’t perform the way we wanted to or put our best foot forward [against USC]… And if we didn’t put our best foot forward and we didn’t protect the ball it was gonna be a long day, and it was,” Bloomgren said. “Today, kind of the opposite happened.”

Part of that opposite was thanks to perfectly executed plays by Rice defenders. Safety Gabe Taylor, who returned his takeaway 91-yards — the third-longest interception return touchdown in program history — mentioned he knew where the ball was coming and that they’d repped similar situations in practice.

When asked how he went from finding the football to finding the endzone, he just laughed. “I just don’t want to get tackled,” he said. “I’d rather hit people than get hit so I just want to catch the ball and run as fast as I can to the endzone.”

Taylor’s score was the third Rice touchdown in an eight-minute span during the second quarter, more points than Rice scored in a full 60 minutes against USC. It almost felt like a different team was on the field.

To a large degree, much of it probably comes down to execution. Bloomgren said he was most happy to see. “I saw people win their one on ones. I saw people whip the guy across from him and it doesn’t matter who you’re playing that’s what football is all about,” he remarked.

On Saturday, Rice football dominated every star, won most in-game matchups and capped it off with a lopsided result on the scoreboard. Bloomgren and Co. know this is just one step on the road to where they want to be, but it was evident they were aware of how important the win was to the program, especially considering how far the Owls had come in just one week.

“I think it was pretty good. Pretty dominant, if you will, with a lot to improve on,” Bloomgren said. “As a coach, what more can you ask for?”

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

Recent Posts

Conference USA Football 2022: Week 2 Roundup

By

Conference USA Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 2.

Team Week 2 Result Up Next
Charlotte vs Maryland L, 56-21 at Georgia State
FAU vs SE Louisiana W, 24-9 vs UCF
FIU at Texas St L, 41-12 — OFF —
LA Tech vs SFA W, 52-17 at Clemson
MTSU at Colorado St W, 34-19 vs Tennessee St
North Texas vs Texas Southern W, 59-27 at UNLV
Rice vs McNeese St W, 52-10 vs Louisiana
UAB at Liberty L, 21-14 vs Georgia Southern
UTEP vs New Mexico St W, 20-13 at New Mexico
UTSA at Army W, 41-38 (OT) at Texas
WKU — OFF —  — at Indiana

Notable Week 2 results – Standings

UTSA posts another thriller

Because one overtime barnburner wasn’t enough, UTSA followed up a Week 1 triple overtime loss to Houston with a Week 2 single overtime victory over Army. The Roadrunners have been all over the place in this young season thus far, but at 1-1 with a road win under their belts and Frank Harris continuing to excel, expectations remain high among the UTSA faithful.

Middle Tennesee bounces back

Everything that could go wrong went wrong for Middle Tennesee in their season-opening loss to James Madison, but the Blue Raiders have clearly put that behind them. MTSU lept out to a 27-0 halftime lead on the road against Colorado State, weathering a 19-point third quarter from the Rams to clinch their first victory of the year.

UTEP gets reprieve

The UTEP faithful entered the season with high expectations and might not have been able to stomach an 0-3 start. Leading 20-13, the Miners watched nervously as New Mexico marched down the field in the final four minutes before finally stalling out on the 13-yard line in the final seconds. It was too close for comfort, but a win is a win.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

Roadrunners rowdy for more?

It might behoove UTSA to keep their proclivity for exciting football games going for at least one more week. The Roadrunners travel to Austin next weekend to play a Texas team that will be licking its wounds from a near-upset of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Longhorns might be without their starting quarterback, too.

Winning record?

A week removed from their first win of the year, can Rice football make it two in a row? The Owls host Louisiana in Week 3. The Ragin’ Cajuns have a new head coach and posted modest early season wins over South Eastern Louisiana and Eastern Michigan. Riding some momentum, Rice could be in reach of their first winning record under head coach Mike Bloomgren.

Sunshine State Showdown

There’s no lack of hostility among football fans of various programs throughout the state of Florida. Needless to say, emotions will be high when UCF makes the trip to Boca Raton to play Florida Atlantic in Week 3.  The Owls take on the Knights and then the Purdue Boilermakers the week following. A win in either game would be sweet, but you can bet FAU fans really want to knock off UCF.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Baseball: 2022 MLB Owls update – Sep8

By

The 2022 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

Chargois appeared in three games this week, beginning with a scoreless three out appearance against the Yankees last Friday where he earned his first official hold. He allowed three earned runs across 2.1 combined innings in his next two games, including his first start of the season on Tuesday where he served as an opener against the Red Sox.

Through September 8, Chargois has a 3.00 ERA with a 1.111 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge worked an extended relief appearance in a Wednesday win over the Twins in the second game of a doubleheader. He entered the game in the seventh inning with two away and finished the contest, notching his second save of the season with a no-run, three-hit outing with three strikeouts.

Through September 8, Luetge has a 2.55 ERA with a 1.257 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Glenn Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto went four innings against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing just two earned runs while striking out five. He did not earn a decision in the game, but the Rangers did go on to win. He’s 6-8 on the season.

Through September 8, Otto has a 4.80 ERA with a 1.380 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Injured List

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

The Angels announced on June 17  that Rendon would undergo season-ending surgery on his right wrist. His season is done.

Rendon finished the year hitting .228 with 15 extra-base hits, 23 walks and 32 strikeouts. His OPS is .707 and he’s collected 24 RBI.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2022: McNeese St presser quotes, updates and depth chart

By

Rice football plays McNeese State this week. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup, injury updates and depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a pair of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the USC loss and looked ahead at the week ahead, discussing a few positives they can take with them and what they’re watching for in their next opponent, McNeese State.

More: Rice Football  – Blue and Gray Preview Show

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

Press Conference Quotes

“We’re playing a good team. That’s what we can’t look past. I think Coach Goff in his first year has brought in 58 transfers. They went up there and played the FCS team that played in the National Championship game last week in Montana State. They had a chance to tie it right before halftime, and then that game got away from them. Coach Goff has done great every place that he’s been. I look at what he did at Valdosta State last year, taking that team to the National Championship game and then a day later he takes over as McNeese’s head coach. I can only imagine that he hasn’t had a chance to breathe since that day. In any case, he’s building a great program and we’re excited to have them come into our place this weekend.” – Mike Bloomgren on McNeese State

“Guys were flying to the ball throughout the whole game people were putting in effort. I felt like nobody really game up on any play, really that mental toughness that coach Bloom is talking about. And I liked how our secondary played. I feel like we played one of the best wide receivering units we’re going to face all season. The fact that they were pretty much able to hold them from too many big plays, that was pretty promising to see.” – Edge Joshua Pearcy on the positives he saw from the defense against USC 

“Playing tight end, that’s what you’d expect. It’s a little bit of everything. You’re blocking and next play you’re catching a pass. It’s nothing that I haven’t practiced. It’s nothing that coach Jackson hasn’t gotten us a million reps throughout fall camp and practice leading up to the game. It’s fun getting to catch the ball but its also fun blocking people, putting people in the dirt. Both ways I have fun. That’s what playing tight end is all about.” – Tight end Jack Bradley 

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

There were no changes to the official depth chart between this game and the USC game and honestly, that’s not too surprising. Given the nature of the Owls’ first opponent, barring any season-ending injuries, that’s typically the case.

The Roost Podcast: Recapping Rice football vs USC

On the injury front, Blomgren shared relatively positive news on Tuesday afternoon. He said the team was “optimistic” running back Cameron Montgomery would be back at practice on Wednesday. As for quarterback Wiley Green, Bloomgren indicated he continues to progress and there was no structural damage. His timetable was less certain. We will have some updates from practice later in the week for our subscribers.

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

Recent Posts