The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football 2022 Season Preview: Running Back

By

As part of our 2022 Rice Football Preseason Preview series, next we’ll examine the running back position and discuss the Owls’ plans for that group.

Pound the rock has been the mantra of Rice football since head coach Mike Bloomgren arrived on campus. Even with that run-game-oriented mindset, the backfield has been a mixed bag. Can someone rise up and become a true bellcow back? Will a committee of specialists do the trick? Here’s our 2022 Running Back Preview.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This piece is part of our 2022 Rice Football Season Preview. Get access to it, as well as all other preview posts such as positional breakdowns, depth chart and schedule analysis and more when you subscribe on Patreon today. New subscribers get our Conference USA Football Season Preview for FREE! 

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.
Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 DE Joseph Mutombo commits to Owls

By

The 2023 Rice Football recruiting class finished the summer strong. Defensive end Joseph Mutombo has committed to the Owls.

A cluster of new offers for potential members of the 2023 Rice football recruiting class went out during the early signing period last December. Among those offers was Keller Central defensive end Joseph Mutombo who, after months of consideration, made his decision official. Mutombo has committed to the Owls.

Mutombo chose Rice over offers from Houston, Louisiana, Tulane, Navy and others. Any time Rice can post a recruiting win over their crosstown rivals is a good thing and it’s also encouraging to see some notable other G5 programs in the mix for a player the Owls coveted.

For Mutombo, that relationship was key. He told The Roost that Rice has “always shown me so much love, from even before I was offered.” The Owls’ steadfastness won the day, allowing them to secure his pledge.

After an early run on the offensive line, Mutombo marks the second defensive lineman the Owls have taken in their class so far. Furr High School product Chris Clark committed to Rice almost exactly one month prior.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Getting to the quarterback is the top priority for someone at the edge position and that’s exactly what Mutombo’s highlights showcase. Mutombo told The Roost he spent the offseason focusing on his explosiveness, hopefully adding to his already impressive burst and pursuit abilities.

He’ll arrive at South Main with a few tricks already secure in his pass rush tool kit, showcasing an ability to win with power and speed to the inside and the outside. He’s long (6-foot-5) but still moves well with a good frame (215 pounds) to add to in the future.

Become a Patron!
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2022 Season Preview: Linebacker

By

As part of our 2022 Rice Football Preseason Preview series, next we’ll examine the linebacker position and discuss the Owls’ plans for that group.

Linebacker will be one of the positions under the most scrutiny when Rice football opens fall camp. Neither of the team’s primary starters at the position last season (Antonio Montero or Desmyn Baker) return, opening the door for new faces to play significant roles. Who emerges in the middle of the Rice defense this season? Here’s our 2022 Linebacker Preview.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This piece is part of our 2022 Rice Football Season Preview. Get access to it, as well as all other preview posts such as positional breakdowns, depth chart and schedule analysis and more when you subscribe on Patreon today. New subscribers get our Conference USA Football Season Preview for FREE! 

Subscriber content.<br /> Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.
Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football: Could depth be the difference for Owls in 2022?

By

The Rice football roster was a focus of Conference USA Media Day conversations, especially the depth the Owls have developed over time.

Conference USA Media days were held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas for the first time this summer. It was different from the zoom-only sessions of the past two years and it showcased what figures to be a different kind of season for the conference as it undergoes so many changes. Although Rice football maintains a good amount of continuity, the Owls hope to leverage some unique differences this year, too.

For Rice, it’s the sameness that feels the most different. “You’ve heard of them,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said when discussing the second-team players on his depth chart following a media availability that featured questions about the depth along the offensive and defensive lines. To his point, they’re not new faces. They’re players who have produced at the collegiate level. At Rice.

That hasn’t been the case in years past. The next-man-up hasn’t always been a proven commodity. Along the offensive line, Rice could turn to a former Big 12 starter at West Virginia as the second-team right tackle. Along the defense, the likes of Miles McCord and Josh Pearcy will have to fight for snaps with other proven players — both have served as starters in prior seasons.

Then there’s George Nyakwol and Treshawn Chamberlain, also former starters who missed the majority of last season with injuries. Nyakwol hasn’t played a conference game since 2019. Now he’s back manning center field for the Owls once again.

“It’s a great thing when you have guys that want to play every down but its an even better thing when you can put someone in the game that you don’t have to pray for when someone breaks a shoestring and they have to enter,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said. “We’ve worked really hard to get to the point where we have this kind of depth.”

Rice football will hit the practice field for the first time this fall on August 3. They’ll have a few weeks to iron out exactly what the depth chart will look like. But regardless of who ends up on the first or second team — provided they stay healthy — Rice will have options, experience and depth. For a team seeking their first bowl appearance since 2014, there’s no bigger change.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Baseball: 2022 MLB Owls update – July 27

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.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey endured his first bad outing in more than a month on Tuesday, allowing his first earned run since June 12, scored by a walk-off sacrifice fly against the Brewers. The run saddled him with a loss, dropping his record to 2-4 on the season. Prior to that, he posted a clean 1-2-3 outing against the Tigers.

Through July 26, Duffey has a 4.02 ERA with a 1.314 WHIP. He’s averaging 8.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Lucas Luetge – New York Yankees

Luetge was tremendous in his first appearance since the All-Star break, hurling 2.1 scoreless innings against the Orioles, earning his third win of the season. Luetge is now 3-3. He struck out three batters, allowing just one hit.

Through July 26, Luetge has a 2.88 ERA with a 1.223WHIP. He’s averaging 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Glenn Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto worked 5.1 innings against the Mariners on Monday night, his second consecutive start against the Rangers’ interleague foes. Although he came just shy of another quality start, he was able to hold the Mariners to three runs, striking out five while allowing seven hits.

Through July 26, Otto has a 5.37 ERA with a 1.463 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Injured List

J.T. Chargois – Tampa Bay Rays

After an extended time off, Chargois has returned to rehab, making multiple appearances in the Florida Complex League as he awaits his big league return. He hasn’t pitched since the beginning of the season.

Chargois has a 0.00 ERA with a 0.000 WHIP. He’s averaging 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

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