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Rice Football 2025: North Texas Game Week Practice Notes

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Rice Football has had two weeks to prepare for Senior Night and a massive matchup with a ranked North Texas squad. Here’s the latest from the field.

This bye week felt much different for Rice football than their previous one. This current iteration of the Owls is much healthier in key spots and was actually able to use practice time drilling key concepts with the players expected to execute them on Saturday. Juggling that priority with bringing along necessary depth on other spots made for an intriguing two weeks on the practice field.

The Final Stretch

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Rice Football 2025: North Texas presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football, a home game against North Texas. Here’s what head coach Scott Abell had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Scott Abell and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the UAB game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with North Texas.

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

The advantage we got in this bye week compared to the first one is that we were healthier going into it. The first bye week, three weeks ago now, it became more how do we catch our young football players up? How do we manage the roster to try and get ourselves healthy to head into the back half of the season? This time we hit the bye week, we were fairly healthy, so we could grow in the bye week. We could really take a hard look at what we’re doing. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the bye week

I see a football program, they’re playing with a ton of confidence. Incredibly skilled on both sides of the football. They recruited players that fit their scheme… and here they are now, they’re playing as good of football as anybody we’ve played all year.”– Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the UNT program

They’re very opportunistic. They’ve forced 24 turnovers on the year, defensively. We need to take care of the football. That’s been a secret sauce that probably doesn’t get talked about. Their offense overshadows their defense but their defense has 24 takeaways on the year. That makes every offense better. That makes every program better. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the North Texas defense

[QB Drew Mestemaker and RB Caleb Hawkins are] just two really talented people. When I look at their offensive roster, you gotta talk about [Wyatt] Young, right? He’s a deep ball threat. He’s incredibly athletic and really fast. They find really creative ways to get him the football… they give you a lot to defend. Mestemaker, he does a really good job of getting the football to all of his athletes. – Rice Football head coach Scott Abell on the North Texas skill players

My time at Rice has been unbelievable. It’s taught me so many lessons. I’ve been through so many trials and tribulations and those trials and tribulations ultimately got me to where I am today. Without God, I wouldn’t be here standing at this podium right now. If you would have told me two years ago you would be standing here, you would be a captain of the Rice football team, I would have said, you’re a liar. Because of God and because of people that he brought to my life like coach Abell I’m able to stand at this podium right now and be a captain of this Rice football team. – Tight End Micah Barnett on his time at Rice

They do have a good quarterback They’ve got a pretty good running back as well. I just feel like they all complement each other very well. In some offense you see some groups doing better than others and some not, but I feel these are very well put together team, a very experienced team. I feel they all mesh together as a unit and come together very well. – Defensive lineman Blake Boenisch on the North Texas offense

Full Press Conference

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were two minor changes to the depth chart this week, both accounting for injuries that were preexisting before the Rice football bye week. Tackle Brad Baur was removed with freshman Justin Michaelis inserted in his stead. On defense, Daveon Hook was removed with Jack Kane sliding up and Bailey Fletcher re-enntering the two deep behind him.

Any other adjustments will likely be injury-related or driven by the subtle schematic shifts the Owls employ for this game. We’ll cover those in depth on this week’s practice report, available to those subscribed to our Starting Lineup Tier on Patreon, which should be out later this week.

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Rice Football 2025: NFL Owls Week 11 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2025 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 11.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

TeamNFL Owl(s)This WeekResultNext Week
Washington CommandersLuke McCaffrey (WR)at DolphinsL, 16-13 (OT)— OFF —
Philadelphia EaglesKylen Granson (TE)vs Lions (SNF)W, 16-9at Cowboys
Jacksonville JaguarsAustin Trammell (WR)vs ChargersW, 35-6at Cardinals
Detroit LionsJack Fox (P)at Eagles (SNF)L, 16-9vs Giants
Pittsburgh SteelersChris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		vs BengalsW, 34-12at Bears

Offense

Austin Trammell – WR, Jaguars

Trammell played in his third game of the season on Sunday against the Chargers, catching his lone target for 14 yards. He also played on special teams.

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson saw action in his seventh game of the season this weekend, playing on special teams in the Steelers’ Week 11 game against the Bengals=.

Kylen Granson – TE, Eagles

Granson was more involved with this offense this week seeing two targets and catching his first pass since Week 2. He also played his typical allotment of special teams snaps.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted four times in the Lions’ Week 11 loss to the Eagles, averaging 42.3 yards per kick with a long of 55 yards. The slight dip in average was driven by two well-placed balls pinned inside the 20 yard line.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was a perfect 2-of-2 on his field goal tries against the Bengals in Week 11, converting all four of his extra point attempts, as well. He is 19-of-22 on field goals this season, including one blocked kick.

Injured Reserve

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

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.

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 details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: North Texas

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Rice football caps off its home slate with a Senior Day showdown against North Texas. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

Both Rice football and North Texas enter this week’s matchup off victories. The Owls took down UAB at home before a much-needed bye week. Then they watched at home as the Mean Green dismantled those same Blazers the following weekend. Now the two Texas teams meet on the gridiron this Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between Rice and North Texas.

Kickoff time | 6:30 PM
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, TX
TV | ESPNU (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Sizing up the Contenders

There’s a lot on the line for both teams in this one. Rice is a win away from clinching bowl eligibility in its first year under head coach Scott Abell. With a road trip looming against South Florida, it sure would be nice to secure that sixth win before heading out on the road.

More: Undersized and Undeterred – Quinton Jackson’s Journey to Rice Football Star

North Texas is aiming higher and remains in the mix for a spot in the conference championship game as one of three one-loss American Conference teams in the standings. A second loss could boot the Mean Green from the game entirely.

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Last Time Out

Make sure you check out The Roost Podcast every week this season as we review the Owls’ most recent game, breaking down the key moments, decisions and their impact on the outlook of the program moving forward.

Series History

All Time | North Texas leads, 8-5
Last Five | North Texas leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Away 2022, North Texas won 21-17

Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Jenkins – 99/142 (69.7 percent), 885 yards, 8 TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Jackson – 148 carries, 758 yards (5.1 yards per carry), 6 TD / Jenkins – 124 carries, 422 yards (3.4 yards per carry) – 4 TD / Alexander – 74 carries, 392 yards (5.3 yards per carry), 3 TD
Receiving | Dickmann – 33 receptions, 302 yards (9.5 yds/rec), 3 TD / Turner – 38 receptions, 217 yards (5.7 yds/rec)
Tackles | Awe – 79 / Morris – 67 / Williams – 56
Pass Breakups | Crump (Suspended) – 6 / Williams, Porter – 5
Interceptions | Kane, Stevenson, Wyatt – 1

North Texas Stat Notables

Passing | Mestemaker – 232/335 (69.3 percent), 3000 yards, 23 TD, 4 INT
Rushing | Hawkins – 148 carries, 933 yards (6.3 yds/car), 16 TD / McGill II – 75 carries, 389 yards (5.2 yds/car), 5 TD
Receiving | Young – 48 receptions, 781 yards (16.3 yds/rec), 8 TD / Dorner – 38 receptions, 617 yards (16.2 yds/rec), 5 TD / Coleman – 33 receptions, 344 yards (10.4 yds/rec), 1 TD
Tackles | Fields – 74 / Wesloski – 71 / Whitter – 58
Pass Breakups | Fisher – 6 / Armstead – 4 / Allen Jr. – 3
Interceptions | Jones II, Hammonds, Lewis – 2 / Six tied with one each

North Texas X-Factor | Find the Weak Link

On a down to down basis, Rice football has been a solid defense, allowing 5.7 yards per play which ranks seventh in the conference. What the Owls haven’t done well is limit the big play. Rice ranks dead last in the league in scrimmage plays of 40+ yards or more allowed. A revolving door at corner has been one of the biggest culprits, thus far.

Starter Khary Crump was suspended indefinitely and backup Jerrick Harper has been limited, forcing second and third stringers to become everyday players for the Rice defense in the second half. North Texas has one of the most explosive offenses in the country and will scheme up looks against those newcomers in the Owls’ secondary. If they hit on those plays, Rice will be forced into comeback mode early.

Rice X-Factor | Ball Control

Neither of the other option-based teams North Texas faced this season won, but both Army and Navy showed the blueprint to beat North Texas. The Mean Green defense is rather susceptible on third down and the offense is extremely potent, making keep away the modus operendi for Rice Football in this game.

Both Army and Navy converted better than 50 percent of their third down conversions against North Texas but turned the ball over three times apiece. If the Owls can hang on to the football and limit possession, they can force this game to be close down the stretch. If that happens, the Owls will have a shot.

Injury Report (Subscribers only)

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One Final Thing

That Rice football has made it this far with the ebbs and flows of a first-year offense and the injuries that have plagued the defense, and particularly the secondary, all season is remarkable in itself. And as we mused in the most recent edition of The Roost Podcast, it’s hard to believe just how much hasn’t gone right and yet, they’re one win away from a bowl berth.

That’s not to say this season has been smoke and mirrors. To the contrary, it’s an incredible compliment to the staff and the roster for finding ways to win in spite of the adversity they’ve faced to this point. However, to beat North Texas, things are going to have to start going right.

If Rice can unleash the vintage, game-controlling offense they’ve been building, they’ll have a chance. If the defense can play at an elite level and force some turnovers, Rice might just be able to spring the upset. But if things don’t go well, this is the kind of game you lose by four scores.

A loss like that might not be devastating, given the circumstances, but it sure would be nice to see this team make magic happen. They did it once against a UConn team that hasn’t lost a game since. Can “lightning” strike twice? We’ll know for sure, soon enough.

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Rice Football Recruiting: LS Hamilton Sharpe commits to Owls

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The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class has landed a key special teams addition. Woodlands College Park long snapper Hamilton Sharpe has committed to the Owls.

Special teams offers at the D1 level are few and far between. For a school to spend a scholarship slot on one of those spots often requires an exceptional talent and a specific need. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class required one such key piece. Long snapper Hamilton Sharpe has committed to the Owls.

A four-star rated long snapper by the Kohl’s Kicking Academy, Sharpe has offers from Florida Atlantic, UTEP and Prairie View before Rice jumped into the mix in mid-October. Weeks later, Sharpe had made his decision and committed to Rice.

“It is clear that Coach Abell and his staff are really committed to changing the standard at Rice and truly bringing success,” Sharpe told The Roost. “That’s something I really want to be a part of.”

Sharpe brings the commitment count of the 2026 class up to 18 players. He’s the second special teams representative alongside kicker Tommy Bauchiero, who committed to the Owls this summer.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

The tape is good, but that’s to be expected when recruiting a specialist, where consistency over hundreds of reps is the end goal. Sharpe certainly understands those expectations.

“My consistency is one aspect that I’m very proud of. Even though the snaps may not be perfect every time, there’s definitely a quality that is guaranteed,” he said. “That consistency takes a lot of stress off the holder and punter and allows for them to just focus on doing their job.”

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