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We’re running it back again this year with another edition of The Roost’s Bowl Challenge. Join the pool here, it’s completely free. This year’s winner can expect a gift card from our partners at Homefield Apparallel, plus additional prizes for our runners-up.
Join the pool and pop into the discussion on our Discord channel to follow along for the big games and get access to everything you need for Rice football vs Texas State on January 2nd. We’ll have practice updates and more on the site throughout the month, making now the perfect time to subscribe.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | Luke McCaffrey (WR) | at Vikings | L, 31-0 | at Giants |
| Atlanta Falcons | Elijah Garcia (DL) | vs Seahawks | L, 37-9 | at Bucs (TNF) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Kylen Granson (TE) | at Chargers (MNF) | L, 22-19 (OT) | vs Raiders |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Austin Trammell (WR) | vs Colts | W, 36-19 | vs Jets |
| Detroit Lions | Jack Fox (P) | vs Cowboys (Thr) | W, 44-30 | at Rams |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Chris Boswell (PK) Calvin Anderson (OL) | at Ravens | W, 27-22 | vs Dolphins (MNF) |
Elijah Garcia – DL, Falcons
Garcia made his Atlanta Falcons’ debut this past weekend, registering two tackles on 16 snaps against the Seahawks. He also played on special teams.
Trammell was not targeted on offense this week, but did record his first punt return of the season, taking it 15 yards. He also played a handful of snaps with the offense and handled other special teams duties.
After appearing in eight consecutive games for the Steelers, Anderson was inactive this past week.
Granson made a big impact on special teams on Monday Night Football, making three tackles. He also played a few offensive snaps.
Fox punted twice in the Lions’ Week 14 win over the Cowboys, averaging 42 yards per kick with a long of 42 yards. He pinned one of his kicks inside the 20 yard line.
Boswell was a perfect 2-of-2 on his field goal tries against the Ravens this week, converting all three of his extra point attempts, as well. He is 21-of-24 on field goals this season, including one blocked kick.
McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve with a broken collarbone suffered during the Commanders’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.
Good grades have gotten Rice football to the postseason for the second time in four years. The Owls are officially going bowling and will play Texas State in the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2. Carter and Matthew walk through the journey it took to get here and break down the significance of this particular extra game for the Owls in Year 1 under head coach Scott Abell.
We talked through it all. You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 222.
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For the second time in the past four seasons, good grades will work in the favor of Rice football. Although they finished the regular season 5-7 and one win away from securing bowl eligibility, the Owls will accept a bowl bid as the highest-rated program in the Academic Progress Rate that was not already part of the initial field.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Rice football has accepted a bid to play in the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2. This will be the Owls’ second trip to the bowl game, most recently playing in it in 2012. The Owls’ opponent is slated to be Texas State.
“I think any opportunity you have like this in a postseason for your program, especially year one,” head coach Scott Abell said. “The opportunity to go to a ball game, the opportunity to represent Rice. And the possibility of getting Rice its first bowl win since 2014. I’m really excited to take the field with this team one more time, 2025. I’m excited for the experience for our players, our alumni and our fanbase.”
Decisions by Kansas State and Iowa State not to play in a bowl game, both of which came on Selection Sunday, opened the door for Rice football to extend its season. This will mark the third bowl game Rice football will play in in the span of four seasons. That’s just the second time the program has achieved that.
Abell made it clear the Owls won’t be content to just show up, though. They want to win.
“I think [a win] would be a great, great way to leave a legacy for these seniors, to wrap up 2025 and really to set the standard for what we want [2026] and the future to look like,” he said. “I think the team will be incredibly proud if they can secure a victory for Rice University and Rice Football and to bring so much joy back to our alumni base who fought so hard to see a better future for our program.”