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Rice Football 2019: Week 13 North Texas Press Conference quotes

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Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren discussed the team’s first win of the season and previewed the Owls’ Week 13 matchup with North Texas.

More: Rice Football game preview for Week 13 vs North Texas

Quarterback Tom Stewart and safety George Nyakwol joined Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren at the podium on Tuesday. The trio discussed the first win of the season over Middle Tennessee and looked ahead at their upcoming game against North Texas.

From Mike Bloomgren

On the first win…

“Getting that first win on Saturday felt really good. I won’t lie to you about that. I’m so proud of our players and coaches for the way they stayed in this, the way they kept fighting and the way they kept preparing. Really to see them rewarded with that victory locker room, after the game, that winning locker room, made it all worth it for a lot of things that we do in this program. What I said after the game I meant. In 2019, it’s very hard to get a group of men to stay together and keep fighting with all the outside things going on. With all the things that they hear on social media or from their own families. These guys never blinked. They just kept fighting, kept listening to their coaches,  kept trusting their coaches and we saw the results of that on Saturday night.

On the Owls’ level of play against Middle Tennessee …

“It was the best half of football that we have played in the first half. I would say that clearly. The fact that we found a way to win, I guess that it ranks up in the top three. It was great to get a win.”

On North Texas …

“The next challenge is, of course, North Texas. This team requires our full attention. We know what that program is all about. I have so much respect for Coach Seth Littrell, the way he prepares them, the mindset he gets those guys into and his knowledge of our game.  I have said it before, we are going to do everything we can to beat them on the field, but there is absolutely nothing I can do to beat him in a bench press contest.”

On Senior Day…

“It will be a great test for our team. Coming off a win we’re a confident bunch right now in terms of believing in what we are doing. Being so close so many times, then having a little success, is great for this team. We’re going to go out there and play our hearts out for the 19 seniors who will be represented on Senior Day on Saturday. It’s going to be a lot of fun seeing those guys in pregame.”

On the impact of Aston Walter…

“Aston really changed his mindset when he flipped the switch and said ‘I’m coming back for my sixth year’. I think in the way he prepared in the summer with Coach Hans [Straub] to the leadership role he’s taken, there is nothing we could have done better than put the ball in his stomach with the game on the line on 3rd-and-11..” T

From QB Tom Stewart

On Brad Rozner and the playmakers around him…

“It’s all about having trust in the guys. I think it’s kind of tough for me being a transfer, and not having a ton of time to develop that trust but I think now you’re seeing that if I’m back there, I have a ton of trust in those guys… Everything guy is a really good football player. When they’re called upon, they’ll make a play.”

From Saf George Nyakwol

On how the team is responding to the win…

“This win was definitely a confidence booster… And we just got to keep building. We can’t let this affect our approach. It’s got to be 100 percent every day, everywhere, in the weight room, on the field, in the film room.”

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Rice Football 2019 Game Preview: Week 13 vs North Texas

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Rice Football won last week and host North Texas with their eyes on two-straight victories. How to watch, stats to know, x-factor picks for both teams and more.

It took 12 weeks, but Rice football has put its first mark in the win column. The Owls took down Middle Tennessee on the road, riding a 31-point first half to the first road win of the Mike Bloomgren era. They’ll attempt another first this coming Saturday — a winning streak — possible with a win over North Texas on Senior Day.

On the other side of the field, North Texas will be on high alert. Sitting at 4-6 after a road loss to Louisiana Tech in Week 11, the Mean Green had an idle week to prepare for a critical two-game stretch. North Texas has to win out to achieve bowl eligibility, making Saturday’s penultimate contest a big one.

Rice can equal last season’s win total with a win while simultaneously crushing North Texas’ hopes of a bowl berth. There’s a lot on the line. Here’s what you need to know about both North Texas and Rice before their Week 13 tilt.

Broadcast Info

Kickoff time | 2:30 PM CT
Venu | Rice Stadium – Houston, Tx
TV | NFL Network (Streaming)
Radio | Sports Map 94.1 (FM) / Stretch Internet (Online)

Audio Preview

We’ll preview the North Texas game on Episode 18 of The Roost Podcast which will be released on Thursday. 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

Rice has preached having a 1-0 mentality all season long. Now those expectations have tangible results. Will the taste of that elusive victory prove to be the catalyst the Owls have been seeking? The “know-how” combined with a friendly atmosphere and the possible return to health of a few more defensive playmakers could prove to be enough push to get Rice football back on the right track.

That’s part of what should scare the Mean Green faithful. With quarterback Mason Fine already banged up and the Owls newfound confidence, they’ll have to come out swinging and force the Owls onto the defensive early.

This was a close game last year before North Texas broke things open with a big fourth quarter. And that came in Wiley Green’s first road start. After Tom Stewart’s three-touchdown connection with Brad Rozner last weekend, there’s certainly potential for this game to boil up into another shootout.

Series History

All Time | North Texas leads 5-4
Last Five | North Texas leads 3-2
Last Meeting | Away 2018, North Texas won 41-17

Rice Stat Notables

Passing | Stewart – 67/110 (60.9 percent), 760 yards passing, 7 TD, 1 INT
Rushing | Walter – 127 carries, 615 yards (4.8 yards per carry), 6 TD
Receiving | Rozner – 47 receptions, 681 yards (14.5 yards per reception), 5 TD | Trammell – 49 receptions, 581 yards (11.9 yards per reception), 3 TD
Tackles | Alldredge – 81, Montero – 68, Chamberlain – 56
Pass Breakups/Interceptions | Thornton – 5 PBU, Smith – 2 INT

North Texas Stat Notables

Passing | Fine – 218/348 (62.6), 2659 yards passing, 27 TD, 6 INT
Rushing | Siggers – 127 carries, 831 yards (6.2 yards per carry), 5 TD
Receiving | Darden – 65 receptions, 655 yards (10.1 yards per reception), 11 TD | Lawrence – 43 receptions, 579 yards (13.5 yards per reception), 3 TD
Tackles | KD Davis – 79, Tyreke Davis – 64, Muhammad/Harvey – 58
Pass Breakups/Interceptions | Harvey/Robinson – 7 PBU, Harvey/Robinson/Muhammad/Sanders – 1 INT

North Texas X-Factor | Stopping the run

Allowing the Owls to dictate the stay and pace of this football game is chief among the priorities North Texas must avoid. The Mean Green rank 12th in run defense in C-USA play, allowing 193.3 yards per game on the ground. Aston Walter’s senior night will be added incentive to pick up where he left off against Middle Tennessee, his fourth 100-yard rushing performance in five games.

North Texas wins when Mason Fine has the football. He doesn’t need a ton of time on the clock, but he does need opportunities. The Owls’ ability to play keep away will hinge on their ability to control the ball, extends drives and come away with points.

Running the football is always going to be central to the core identity of Rice football under Mike Bloomgren. When tasked with sealing the game against Middle Tennessee, they put the ball in the hands of Walter. He delivered.

If North Texas can limit the Owls’ on the ground, they’ll force Rice to be one dimensional. The Owls won through the air last week, but they’ve still got a way to go before opponents scheme out their aerial abilities before their rushing prowess.

Rice X-Factor | The Secondary

The offense seems to have turned a corner, but the strength of this iteration of Rice football remains on the defensive side of the ball. The front seven played exceptionally well against Middle Tennessee. The back end of the defense was okay, but not quite as stout as they’d shown in recent weeks.

A 90-yard bomb from Asher O’Hara to Ty Lee was the most discouraging moment, but the ease with which the Blue Raiders marched down the field in the fourth quarter left some reason for concern, too.

Andrew Bird’s interception and an impressive first half proved the Owls have the pieces and the scheme to hold things down. They’re going to receive one of their toughest tests of the year this weekend against Mason Fine. The Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year, Fine has battled through bumps and bruises, leading an offense that has had to score to keep his team within games.

Fine has put up yards against most everyone he’s faced. Keeping him out of the endzone and making him work his way down the field are musts for this defense to continue to succeed.

Injury Report

Zane Knipe made his return to the field last week against Middle Tennessee, taking an end-around carry for a first down. He’ll continue to get phased into the offense as he gets fully healthy, but the passing attack will still be primarily funneled through Brad Rozner and Austin Trammell. Running back Juma Otoviano left the game in the second half. His status for the upcoming week is unknown.

On defense, Andrew Bird returned to action and snagged his first career interception. Anthony Ekpe and Trey Schuman were held out of the game but could return as early as this coming week. Those two are going to be the names to watch.

Need More?

The Roost’s 2019 Rice Football Season Preview has four pages dedicated to every opponent the Owls face. There are depth chart, important new arrivals and depth chart breakdowns for each foe. Better yet, it’s not just speculation, each profile was created with insight from local experts who cover those teams day in and day out. Pick up your copy today and get four pages and more than 1,000 words on every foe.

Pick ‘Em Contest

If you haven’t yet, make sure you submit your entry for The Roost’s weekly pick’em challenge. Choose an answer to each of the six questions below and submit them on the forum thread to enter.

  1. Who catches more passes?
    Rozner / Trammell (or tie)
  2. Which team defense forces the first turnover?
    Rice / North Texas
  3. Will Blaze Alldredge lead Rice in total tackles?
    Yes (or tie) / No
  4. How many first downs will Rice achieve?
    Over 19.5 / Under 19.5
  5. Does Mason Fine throw a touchdown pass after halftime?
    Yes / No
  6. Who wins?
    Rice / North Texas

One Final Thing

The approach Rice football has taken over the past two seasons has been widely respected by coaching staffs around Conference USA and the nation. Men who had no reasons to say anything overwhelmingly positive or negative about Rice weren’t afraid to voice their belief in what the Owls were building. When this team turned the corner, they said, it would be dangerous.

It’s way too early to tell if a three-point win over a team which will be spending its winter at home rather than a bowl game is enough to declare an about-face. Nevertheless, the ability to play a complete game in all three phases and come away with a win on the road was monumental for this team.

What happens on Saturday against North Texas has the potential to better define where Rice is on the continuum between rebuilding and reloading. One more win opens the door for a three-win season, a step up from a two-win 2018 campaign. No other tangible measurement of progress would speak as loudly as that.

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Rice Football 2019: Owls in the NFL Week 11 Update

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Andrew Sendejo’s triumphant return was a standout spot for Rice Football alums this weekend. Here’s the latest on all the NFL Owls from 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.

Week 11 results

Vikings 27 (Sendejo) – Broncos 23 (Anderson, Callahan)
Cowboys 35 (Covington) – Lions 27
Seahawks (Ellerbee, Willson) – BYE
Browns 21 – Steelers 7 (Boswell, McDonald)
Ravens 41 – Texans 7 (Gaines)

Calvin Anderson, OT, Broncos

Anderson was inactive one again this week. He has yet to appear in a game since being signed by the Broncos earlier this season. The Broncos visit the Bills in Week 12.

Bryce Callahan, CB, Broncos

There will be no football for Bryce Callahan in 2019. The Broncos’ corner was placed on injured reserve this week after hopes in recent weeks he was nearing his season debut. The Broncos visit the Bills in Week 12.

Christian Covington, DE, Cowboys

Covington got into the Cowboys’ win over Detriot briefly on Sunday, registering one solo tackle in the game. The Cowboys visit the Patriots in Week 12.

Andrew Sendejo, Saf, Vikings

Sendejo’s return to Minnesota has been a successful one. The newly signed Vikings’ safety led the team with seven tackles on Sunday, also registering one pass defended and this big interception. The Vikings are on bye in Week 12.

Emmanuel Ellerbee, LB, Seahawks

Ellerbee was placed injured reserve prior to the start of the season. The Seahawks visit the Eagles in Week 12.

Luke Willson, TE, Seahawks

Willson left the Seahawks’ Monday Night Football victory over the 49ers early with a hamstring injury. The team was on bye this week, with no official update provided on his status since. There should be more clarity in the coming days. The Seahawks visit the Eagles in Week 12.

Chris Boswell, K, Steelers

Thursday Night Football was a quiet one for Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell. He missed his lone field goal attempt of the night — just his second miss of the 2019 season. He added one extra point. The Steelers visit the Bengals in Week 12.

Vance McDonald, TE, Steelers

A slew of injuries to the Steelers’ wide receiving corps and a rookie starting quarterback made McDonald a frequent target on Thursday Night Football. He was targeted a team-high seven times, hauling in three passes for 33 yards, including a 22-yard reception, the longest of the game for Pittsburgh. The Steelers visit the Bengals in Week 12.

Phillip Gaines, CB, Texans

Gaines was placed on injured reserve following an ankle injury suffered during the Texans’ Week 8 game against the Colts. The Texans host the Colts in Week 12 on Thursday Night Football.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are others 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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Conference USA Football 2019: Week 12 C-USA Roundup

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A big road for Rice football was the highlight of Week 12. The latest from this weekend of Conference USA Football as title races begin to wind down.

Team Week 12 Result Week 13
Charlotte — OFF —  — vs Marshall
FAU — OFF —  — at UTSA
FIU — OFF —  — vs Miami
LA Tech at Marshall (Fri) L, 31-10 at UAB
Marshall vs LA Tech (Fri) W, 31-10 at Charlotte
MTSU vs Rice L, 31-28 vs Old Dominion
North Texas — OFF —  — at Rice
Old Dominion — OFF —  — at MTSU
Rice at MTSU W, 31-28 vs North Texas
Southern Miss vs UAB W, 36-17 vs WKU
UAB vs UTEP W, 37-10 vs LA Tech
UTEP at UAB L, 37-10 at New Mexico St
UTSA vs Southern Miss L, 36-17 vs FAU
WKU — OFF —  — at Southern Miss

Notable Week 12 results – Standings

Rice Wins

It took 10 tries, but Rice Football finally put one in the win column in 2019. The Owls came out of the gates white-hot, following a field goal with four first-half touchdowns to stake a 31-14 halftime lead. The points would hold, giving the Owls the first road win of the Mike Bloomgren era.

LaTech vs Marshall

What should have been a battle of C-USA heavyweights ended in a Friday night dud. Louisiana Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith and star wideout Adrian Hardy were suspended against Marshall, silencing the Bulldogs’ offense on the road. Louisiana Tech still controls their own destiny in the West, but the defeat puts added pressure on the players who will suit up next week.

Ruh-roh Roadrunners

Entering the weekend, UTSA had yet to beat a team with a winning record. The Roadrunners needed to knock off at least two in their next three games to clinch bowl eligibility and stave off the pressure bearing down on head coach Frank Wilson. Not only did they fall to Southern Miss, they posted a program-worst home attendance in defeat.

Week 13 storylines

Wild, Wild West

As if things weren’t wild enough through the first 12 weeks of Conference-USA play, the next slate of games could thrust an entire division into chaos. Louisiana Tech beat Southern Miss. Southern Miss beat UAB. UAB can complete the circle with a win over Louisana Tech next weekend. If the Blazers they’ll set up the potential for a three-way tie in the division.

What will Western do?

East Division contender Western Kentucky could play a significant role in who represents the West in the conference championship game. They host Southern Miss, who could take the pole position in the West if they beat a J’Mar Smith-less Louisiana Tech on Saturday. If UAB and WKU, there will be three teams atop the west with identical 5-2 conference records.

Road warriors

FAU holds the tiebreaker over Marshall in the East, but both teams share 5-1 records. Each will go on the road before finishing their seasons in front of their home fans. Both need a win to keep pace in the divisional race. If one stumbles, the other could have their half of the conference locked down prior to the final weekend of the regular season.

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Rice Football: After weeks of trying, Owls find a way to finish

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Rice Football has embraced a mantra of going 1-0 every Saturday. In Week 12 against Middle Tennessee, those marching orders turned into reality.

When the clock hit zero in Murfreesboro, TN on Saturday night Rice football fans breathed a sigh of relief, double-checked the scoreboard, then exploded into euphoria that mirrored the celebration currently underway in the Rice locker room.

It wasn’t easy. It came down to the final play — a backyard-style, multi-lateral, heart-stopping play — but Rice football had finally cleansed themselves of their losing streak. They had won.

“I think it’s really a culmination of the way these guys have been working,” head coach Mike Bloomgren said in the moments following his first road win at Rice. He knew, in a way that only those clad in all-white on that sideline knew, how important this win was for this program.

Bloomgren and his staff have been building for almost two years. They’d promised progress and come so close to turning that goodwill into wins so many times this season. On Saturday the dam broke. In a combination of a newly-emphasized spread offense and downhill running, smashmouth football, Rice found a way.

Intellectual Brutality in the flesh

The Owls led by 17 courtesy of three touchdown grabs by Bradley Rozner before halftime. Middle Tennesse fought back. With precious seconds remaining in the game, the Owls turned to sixth-year senior Austin Walter on third and 11.

“We’re going to run this ball and we’re going to find a way to move these sticks,” Bloomgren told offensive coordinator Jerry Mack as the play was relayed into the huddle. Then Walter — who had already left the game with an ankle injury that half — took the handoff, blasted through the line and picked up the most important 24 yards of his entire Rice career.

“Adversity is a part of who we are… I have three more college games left and I’ve always thought I want to be able to leave Rice University and get the program back on track,” Walter said. “If I had to give an ankle, a leg, whatever it took to get this win, I was going to do it.”

The first down was enough for the Owls to bleed the clock, turning the ball over to Middle Tennessee with nothing short of a Hail Mary standing in the way of the Owls’ first victory of the season. Those prayers went unanswered. Rice won.

More: Takeaways from Rice Football vs MTSU

Then, in a response that typifies how Rice navigated themselves to this point, hero Bradley Rozner turned the page. “We’re going to start bright and early, 7 a.m. meeting. We’re going to figure out our mistakes and carry that energy straight through the week and get ready for North Texas.”

A laser focus befitting of a process-driven organization, Rozner’s mindset was shared by his head coach. “I don’t know if there’s anything we have to do very different,” Bloomgren said with a grin. “I just know Monday morning will be a lot more fun.”

True to their spirit, Rice football went 1-0 this week. Now they’d like to do it again.

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