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Rice Football Recruiting: 2023 RB Daelen Alexander commits to Owls

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The first running back of 2023 Rice Football recruiting class has jumped on board. Pflugerville rusher Daelen Alexander has committed to the Owls.

On June 22, Daelen Alexander committed to Air Force, but that’s not where this story stops. Rice football swooped in a few weeks later and offered Alexander, despite his prior commitment. Now, officially, the Owls have won out. Alexander has flipped his commitment to the Owls and is the newest member of the 2023 Rice football recruiting class.

Alexander marks the first player Rice has flipped from another FBS program under head coach Mike Bloomgren’s tenure. Rice has historically been early to offer several of their eventual signees. Adding Williams to the fold is a particularly noteworthy advancement for the program on the recruiting front. He held offers from Air Force, Army and Navy at the time of his commitment.

Alexander is the first running back in the 2023 Rice football recruiting class and the first true high school running back commit the Owls have had since the 2020 class. Dean Connors was the only scholarship back the Owls added this past cycle and he came from the JUCO ranks.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Alexander’s speed jumps off the screen in his film. When he hits the hole and accelerates it’s hard to catch him in open space. He can break free with a wiggle and then it’s off to the races. He has good vision and anticipation, setting himself up to make the next man miss while he’s already en route. At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, he packs a punch on his way down the field, too.

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Rice Football: Where’s the respect? — September Patreon Q&A

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Rice football is playing at its highest level yet under head coach Mike Bloomgren. What will it take for those outside of Houston to notice?

Rice football sits at 2-2 in their nonconference slate with a home game against UAB looming, this month’s mailbag focuses on respect. Specifically, when will the Owls stop being overlooked? Who else do they have to beat? We tackle those themes in this month’s Patreon Q&A.

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Rice Football 2022: UAB presser quotes and depth chart

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Rice football hosts UAB 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 pair of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Houston loss and looked at the week ahead, detailing what they’re expecting to see when UAB takes the field.

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. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“I think it looks like their football team. It’s big, physical and sound in every phase. From what I understand, Brian Vincent is still calling the offense. That hasn’t seemed like it’s changed much. I think it’s the same defensive coordinator. Coach Reeves, I think, is calling and planning it. It looks really similar right now.

The players on that side of the ball look really similar too. The edge rushers, the run, and hit linebackers. It seems like Noah Wilder, their leading tackler has been there for 10 years. There’s a lot of great players. The running backs that they have; I love our running back room, but the production that they’ve had from their running backs is out of sight. A lot of it stems from the fact that they’ve brought back everybody on the offensive line. It’s a really good football team that presents really good challenges in every phase.” – Mike Bloomgren on UAB under interim head coach Bryant Vincent

“They were the bully. And our first year here in 2018, we couldn’t move the ball seemingly an inch and they were an outstanding team in 2018. They were the standard. They were the one we pointed to. They were the bulley. And the facts are we went up there last year and we won the game and we put some physical stuff on film in that game as well. So they can put up whatever quotes I want. They’ve got to come down here to Houston. They’ve gotta play these guys. These guys are a physical football team that prepares incredibly well. I have no doubt it’s going to be a physical football game. But I don’t think any words in a locker room are going to win or lose this game.” – Mike Bloomgren on UAB being the former bully of Conference USA

“UAB is a very good opponent. We’re excited to play them. Each week we prepare the same. Our process; it’s all about us. So this week with UAB, we just got to focus on fixing our mistakes, fixing those little things that really in the fourth quarter against Houston, bit us.” – Center Shea Baker on preparing for UAB

“I think in this defense the more time you put in the slower the game moves and this year I’ve been able to see the game a lot faster on my end but its moving slower as far as how I can react and play faster so I feel like I’ve been more of the hammer and not the nail this year and really just been able to play more confidently.” – Linebacker Myron Morrison on his growth this season

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

The biggest change reflects how Rice football opened their game against Houston last week along the offensive line. Trey Phillippi is now listed as the starting left guard rather than a reserve offensive tackle. Shea Baker is back at center after Isaac Klarkowski was listed on the depth chart last week but did not play. We’ll have more on how exactly we expect the offensive line to be deployed for our subscribers later this week.

At wide receiver, Kobie Campbell is now officially listed over Tyson Thomspon. That’s more or less a formality at this point as Campbell has had a few key catches over the last few games and Thompson has yet to see the field in much more than a special teams capacity.

The Roost Podcast: Recapping Rice football vs Houston

On defense, De’Braylon Carroll has regained his spot on the depth chart as he works himself back to 100 percent. That bodes well for his starting chances this coming weekend.

Additionally, the only OR designation on that side of the ball was dropped with Chris Conti officially being listed as the starting Mike linebacker, something that’s essentially been how this team has operated throughout September.

There is one new name listed: corner Tre’shon Devones is back after an extended absence. He was on the practice field this week for the first time this season. He’ll be phased back into the defense.

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Rice Football 2022: NFL Owls Week 3 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2022 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 3.

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 3 Result Week 4
Denver Broncos Calvin Anderson (OL) vs 49ers W,11-10 at Raiders
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) at Vikings L,  28-24 vs Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) vs Chiefs W, 20-17 vs Titans
LA Chargers Bryce Callahan (DB) vs Jaguars L, 38-10 at Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK) at Browns L, 29-17 vs Jets
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Falcons L, 27-23 at Lions
Tampa Bay Bucs Nick Leverett (OL) vs Packers L, 14-12 vs Chiefs

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson saw one snap with the offense against the 49ers, his first of the season after serving primarily on special teams thus far.

Kylen Gransen – TE, Colts

Gransen was targeted twice on Sunday in the Colts’ win over the Cheifs, hauling in both passes for seven yards. He also recovered a fumble.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett was active but did not play for the Bucs in their Week 3 loss to the Packers.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams made his 2022 debut on Sunday, seeing action with the Seahawks’ defensive after being inactive in the previous two games.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Chargers

Callahan had four tackles and one tackle for a loss in the Chargers’ Week 3 loss to the Jaguars.

Christian Covington – DL, Chargers

Covington was elevated from the Chargers’ practice squad to the active roster earlier this season but has yet to see action with the team thus far. He was inactive again in Week 3.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox was only called upon to punt three times in the Lions’ narrow loss to the Vikings in Week 3. He averaged 44.7 yards on the trio of kicks with a long of 50 yards. He put one ball inside the 20.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was 1-for-2 on field goal tries this week, converting from 34 yards. He also made both of his extra point attempts in the Steelers’ loss to the Browns.

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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Rice Football 2022 Game Preview: UAB

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Rice football opens Conference USA play against the UAB Blazers this weekend. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

The UAB Blazers sat and home during their bye week and watched Rice football push the Houston Cougars to the brink on Saturday night. The Owls did not prevail, but they should have given the Blazers plenty to prepare for as the teams prepare to meet for the first time since Rice upset UAB in Birmingham last season. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup.

Kickoff time | 6:30 PM CT
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, Tx
TV | ESPN+ (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Sports Map 94.1 (FM) / Stretch Internet (Online)

Audio / Visual Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs UAB on this week’s episode of the Blue and Gray Preview Show, streaming live on Wednesday at Noon on the Rice Athletics YouTube channel. Look for a recap of the game on the site afterward as well as on The Roost Podcast, which should be released early next week. Find us on the podcast page or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. (And consider leaving us a 5-star review while you’re at it.)

Sizing up the contenders

Both UAB and Rice football enter their Week 5 contest 0-0 in conference play. The Blazers were expected to be among the favorites in the race for the conference title, the Owls were not. But the dynamics of that title hunt could change quickly. Rice is playing some of their best football in recent memory right now and they beat UAB in Birmingham last season. The Blazers are the favorites, but this one could very well go the distance.

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Series History

All Time | UAB leads, 6-4
Last Five | UAB leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Away 2021, Rice won 30-24

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Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | McMahon – 76/119 (63.9 percent), 976 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT
Rushing | Broussard – 60 carries, 160 yards (2.7 yards per carry), 6 TD / Montgomery – 19 carries, 152 yards (8.0 yards per carry), 0 TD
Receiving | McCaffrey – 26 receptions, 323 yards (12.4 yds/rec), 3 TD / Rozner – 13 receptions, 278 yards (21.4 yds/rec), 3 TDs / Esdale – 17 receptions, 219 yards (12.9 yds/rec), 0 TD
Tackles | Conti – 19 / Morrison – 17 / Taylor – 15
Pass Breakups | Morrison, Dunbar, Taylor, Fresch – 2 / Three others tied with one
Interceptions | Morrison, Nyakwol, Chamberlain, Taylor – 1

UAB Notables

Passing | Hopkins – 35/52 (67.3 percent), 430 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Rushing | McBride – 48 carries, 400 yards (8.3 yards per carry), 5 TD / Brown – 38 carries, 247 yards (6.5 ypc), 2 TD
Receiving | Palmer – 8 receptions, 110 yards (13.8 yards per reception), 0 TD / Jones – 10 receptions, 91 yards (9.1 yds/rec), 0 TD
Tackles | Wilder – 21 / Taylor – 19/  Cash – 13
Pass Breakups | McWilliams – 4 / Swoopes, Bynum – 3
Interceptions | Key – 2 / Four others tied with one

UAB X-Factor | Stop the pass

Although Rice football has preached ground and pound under the direction of head coach Mike Bloomgren, the 2022 Owls have taken to the skies. In their most recent outing against Houston, Rice threw for 334 yards, almost 100 yards more than the pass-happy Cougars.

Through four games, Rice is averaging 262.3 yards per contest compared to 211.7 per game last season. On the other hand, the Owls rushing attack has more or less held steady, dropping slightly from 149.5 yards per game last season 147.8 this year. The 2022 Owls aren’t one-dimensional anymore.

UAB’s best bet is to take that extra tool away. The Blazers have had a Top 4 run defense in Conference USA in each of the last four seasons. They were No. 1 in the conference last year. If they can hang tight with the Owls through the air they’ll have a chance to render the entire offense less explosive and less effective. Rice is going to try and take to the skies. UAB has to find a way to answer.

Rice X-Factor | Stop the run

The Owls’ to-do will be exactly the opposite. As UAB attempts to limit Rice through the air, Rice will have to find a way to stymy UAB on the ground. The Blazers enter the game with the No. 1 rushing offense in Conference USA, averaging 253.3 yards per game. Their 6.23 yards per carry ranks fifth nationally. This is a team that is going to run the football a lot.

This won’t come as a surprise for Rice defensive coordinator Brian Smith. This script matches what UAB has sought to do in their prior matchups with the Owls over the years. UAB averaged 5.8 yards per carry in this matchup last season. They weren’t able to lean on the ground game quite like they might have hoped to, only managing to run the ball 22 times for 127 yards.

If UAB can’t run the ball, their deep shots off play action become harder to sell. If that happens, Rice can pin their ears back in traditional passing situations and severely limit the entire UAB offensive approach.

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One Final Thing

With a win on Saturday, Rice football should be mentioned among the teams in contention to win a conference title. No, that’s not hyperbole. There is no singular team in Conference USA that looks head and shoulders above any other.

UAB and UTSA remain the frontrunners for obvious reasons, but if Rice can knock off the former in back-to-back seasons behind the arm of their newfound quarterback, there isn’t a team in this league they can’t beat. That’s a lot at stake for a conference opener, which precedes a much-needed bye week which will give the roster time to recuperate and get healthy.

A close loss, similar to how Rice fell to Houston, would still keep this team in that conversation, serving as another datapoint suggesting this team is much better than they were a year ago. If this team is the team they’ve led us to believe they are, there’s no reason this isn’t another good game at South Main. And if things go the right way, it could be the fourth consecutive home victory for Rice football.

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