The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football 2025 Spring Practice Notebook 1: Spring Intros

By

The 2025 Rice Football spring practices are officially underway as head coach Scott Abell and his staff get their first looks at the Owls on the field.

For the first time with head coach Scott Abell at the helm, Rice football hit the practice field. As has been the custom in recent years, the Owls will practice for a week, take a short hiatus for spring break, and then return to finish practices, concluding with the spring game on April 12. That’s a brief window to accomplish a lot.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the weeks ahead, starting now with Abell’s opening comments, some forthcoming tweaks to the defensive scheme, individual standouts early on and much more.

Abell’s expectations

Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football Recruiting: TE Colten Cole commits to Owls

By

The first pledge of the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is on the board. Tight end Colten Cole has committed to the Owls.

The first recruiting cycle for head coach Scott Abell and his staff was a blur, working to retain commitments, add transfers and scout out the right high school additions to the offensive and defensive schemes. The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class represents this staff’s first traditional class. Now, the Owls have their first member of that group. Tight end Colten Cole has committed to the Owls.

For Cole, the decision didn’t take long. Rice was the first FBS offer for Cole and he made the decision to commit within days of it being extended. “They made me feel at home right away by getting to know me personally,” Cole told The Roost. “They all have a positive and enthusiastic mindset when it comes to coaching.”

On the field, Cole is particularly intrigued by how Rice uses the tight end position. “Rice uses their tight ends all over the field,” Cole said. “They are in-line some, but flexed out at receiver some as well.”

We’ve heard so much about the varied looks and different ways Abell’s offense will employ to get the upper hand on defenses. Having that excitement translate from the building to the fans to the rest of this next wave of recruiting is equally infectious.

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity,” Cole said. “I can’t wait to get down in Owl country!”

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

The versatility Cole displays on film sticks out immediately. He has experience lining up in the backfield as well as on the line in a more traditional tight end capacity. He’s a willing blocker who isn’t afraid to drop his shoulder and run through someone. Add in his presence on the defensive line and you get a rather robust player the Owls should be able to utilize to great effect in their highly adaptative scheme.

Become a Patron!

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

2025 Rice Football Schedule Announced

By

The 2025 Rice Football schedule was released by the American Conference on Friday, including a full 12-game slate.

Opponents have been known for some time, but now we have dates. All of a sudden the 2025 Rice football season is starting to take shape following an announcement by the conference office on Friday that laid out the full slate of games the Owls will undertake this fall.

The AAC released this statement concurrently with the schedule

The nonconference portion of the schedule features seven games against teams ranked in the top 25 of the final Associated Press poll of 2024, including four games against teams that reached the College Football Playoff.

Teams from The American will play eight nonconference games against opponents from the Sun Belt, seven against the SEC, five against the ACC, four each against the Big 12 and Mountain West, three against the MAC and two each against the Big Ten and Conference USA. American teams will additionally face Notre Dame, Washington State and Oregon State among others.

So, here it is, the 2025 Rice Football schedule:

DateOpponentH/A
Aug. 30, 2025LouisianaAway
Sep. 6, 2025HoustonHome
Sep. 13, 2025PVAMUHome
Sep. 18, 2025Charlotte (Thr)Away
Sep. 27, 2025NavyAway
Oct. 4, 2025Florida AtlanticHome
Oct. 11, 2025UTSAAway
Oct. 18, 2025— OFF — —
Oct. 25, 2025UConnHome
Oct. 31, 2025Memphis (Fri)Home
Nov. 8, 2025UABHome
Nov. 16, 2025— OFF ——
Nov. 22, 2025North TexasHome
Nov. 29, 2024USFAway

Note: There was a misprint in the conference release. The Louisiana game is on the road, not at home.

Full Conference Schedule

Rice Football News

Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting, Caden VerMaas

Rice Football Recruiting: SAF Caden VerMaas commits to Owls

Posted: January 9, 2026

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is still making waves in the Transfer Portal. Former Nebraska safety Caden VerMaas has committed to the Owls. Already in good position with multiple defensive back commits out of the Transfer Portal, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class continued to stockpile in one of their largest areas of need. […]

Phoenix Derichsweiler, Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting

Rice Football Recruiting: LS Phoenix Derichsweiler commits to Owls

Posted: January 9, 2026

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is filling needs across the board, including special teams. Former Tulane long snapper Phoenix Derichsweiler has committed to the Owls. There was always going to be an increased special teams presence to the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class after losing several starting pieces to the Transfer Portal and graduation. With […]

Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting, Tariq Watson

Rice Football Recruiting: CB Tariq Watson commits to Owls

Posted: January 8, 2026

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class is doubling down on defensive backs in the Transfer Portal. Former UAB corner Tariq Watson has committed to the Owls. Graduation and transfer attrition made corner a position of priority in the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. In the week since the Transfer Portal opened, Rice has now picked […]

Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting, Charlie Durkin

Rice Football Recruiting: P Charlie Durkin commits to Owls

Posted: January 6, 2026

A Transfer Portal addition on the special teams front has joined the 2026 Rice Football recruiting class. Former Kent State punter Charlie Durkin has committed to the Owls. After making a splash with additions on the offense and defensive side of the ball, the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting has its first new member on special […]

Rice Football, Rice Football Recruiting, Gael Ochoa

Rice Football Recruiting: QB Gael Ochoa commits to Owls

Posted: January 6, 2026

The 2026 Rice Football recruiting class doubled down at the most important position, adding another passer to the fold. Former UNLV quarterback Gael Ochoa has committed to the Owls. The departure of multiple quarterbacks this offseason left a pair of spots to be addressed at the position in the 2026 Rice Football Recruiting class. The […]

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

Rice Football New Offense Musings: February 2025 Q&A

By

Spring practice is looming and questions abound as to what Rice football will look like once new head coach Scott Abell installs his offense.

Much speculation has been made as to what new Rice football head coach Scott Abell is bringing with him to South Main. For those who haven’t lived and breathed option football, this new venture is going to take some time to fully comprehend. This month’s Q&A addresses the offense, the line and what might be next for the Owls as they work to implement the scheme this spring.

For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

Q: With the new Coach Abell, will his offense use the Triple option similar to the Navy, Army, and Air Force offenses? Or will he use a version far more sophisticated?

Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?



Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts

The Roost Podcast | Ep 196 – Rice Football Signing Day and Winter Recap

By

A lot has transpired on South Main the past several weeks. Here’s our take on National Signing Day, the Rice Football coaching staff and more.

A lot has happened since we handed out The Roosties, our annual Rice Football postseason awards. From National Signing Day to a brand new coaching staff, here’s the latest on the Owls and a few thoughts on what could be next around South Main.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 196.

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite as is the Luv-Ya-Owls shirt. Make sure you check out the brand-new sailor hat (pictured below) as you shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

Homefield

Patreon

Get exclusive insight on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes practice updates, analysis and more. Your support matters and makes The Roost better.

Become a Patron!

Rice Football News and National Signing Day Recap

  • Head coach Scott Abell finalizes coaching staff
  • JUCO waiver news and the departure of Dean Connors
  • Takeaways from 2025 Rice Football Signing Class
  • The State of the Quarterback Room
  • Positions of need?
  • How do we evaluate this class?

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.



Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts