Next up for Rice football: Charlotte. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup 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 Army game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Charlotte.

More: Game Preview: 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

“They out executed us. They out-played us in many ways, played with better fundamentals including pad-level. Unfortunately it was a very common occurance where the gold helmets were under the silver helmets. They played with better leverage and because of that they were able to move us. We put a strong emphasis on fundamentals this week and [we’re] really counted on our coaches doing a great job putting us in position to play the game.” – Mike Bloomgren on what the team has adjusted since Army

“They’re an unbelievabley talented team. You look at pieces that they brought into their program. It’s something Biff’s always said he would be able to do and has done. I think top to bottom, they are very talented American Conference team and they’re playing hard. They’re just not getting [the results]. Probably like looking in the mirror a little bit. I think we’re very talented. We’re not getting results we want. So probably a very similar feel in their camp right now to ours.” – Mike Bloomgren on Charlotte

“I think what we’ve seen is a guy grow. I think he kinda got thrown to the wolves last year against us. I’m not saying he wasn’t ready or anything like that, but the quarterback we saw on film against Indiana had the ability to get the ball out of his hands, the ability bring his feet into the game, those are the positives. I just think you’ve got greath growth. I think us looking at the guy that played against us last year would be a mistake if we think that’s the guy we’re gonna get this Saturday.” – Mike Bloomgren’s on Charlotte quarterback Trexler Ivey

“When you almost shut out a team the previous year, there’s some confidence, but it’s a whole nother year. It’s a whole nother team. We’re a whole new team. They’re a whole new team… It doesn’t really matter who we play. We’re focused on the Rice Owls having a good week of practice and coming back with that energy and confidence.” – Linebacker Josh Pearcy on experience against Charlotte last year

“From game one I think our communication, number one, has improved drastically. We’ve done a really good job of  being on the right people and making sure we’re all on the same page. That was a big emphasis that coach Sanders [Davis] had on us at the beginning of the year when I first got here during camp, communication, communication, communication. I think that we’ve done a really good job just emphasizing that and fixing that as well as getting movement and holding up in pass protection.” – Offensive linemen David Stickle on the growth of the o-line 

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were a ton of changes to the depth chart this week, the majority of them injury-related. Let’s start with the offense where Chad Lindberg has been moved to right guard, filling in for an injured John Long. That also required Weston Kropp to step in and take over the left guard space behind Lindberg. That’s it for the offense.

On defense, Demone Green is off the two-deep after announcing on social media this week that he would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Joseph Mutombo takes over his spot behind Charlie Looes. At linebacker, Ty Morris and Myron Morrison are the starters this week with Andrew Awe replaced by Blaise Tita on the two-deep.

Safety continues to be a revolving door. The injury to Tyson Flowers — Bloomgren seemed optimistic he might be able to go this week, something subscribers should look for in practice notes later in the week. For the time being, it’s Peyton Stevenson slated to make the start with Chike Anigbogu as his backup. Daveon Hook takes over the free safety spot. Lamont Narcisse and AJ Stephens, both of which have been in the corner room to this point, move to the backup safety spots as JoJo Jean was also banged up last week. This is a rough room right now.

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