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Season Statpack – 10 telling numbers from 2018

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It’s impossible to boil an entire Rice football season into a handful of numbers, but these 10 paint a fairly comprehensive picture of the Owls’ 2018 campaign.

2 – Wins for the Owls

Following a 1-win 2017 campaign, Rice football showed tangible improvement this season, doubling their win total. It took them all 13 games to pick up their first conference win, but the Owls didn’t leave the season empty-handed. Progress has been made.

4 – Interceptions by Prudy Calderon

Prudy Calderon became one of the Owls’ starting safeties midway through the season then proceeded to pick off four passes in a stretch of five games. His four interceptions tied him for 13th most in the nation by any player. Having him manning centerfield for an entire season should be fun.

18 – Fourth down conversions

Rice’s willingness to roll the dice on fourth down was refreshing. Their 60 percent success rate continued to climb during the season and finished third best in CUSA. This offense is going to be aggressive, something that will be fun to watch and keep opponents constantly on their toes.

19 – True freshman that appeared in at least one game this season

The youth movement is alive and well at South Main. In addition to key starters like Cole Garcia, Prudy Calderon and Antonio Montero, a host of first-year players got on the field in 2018. 10 true freshman started for Rice over the course of the year.

1,580 – All Purpose yards for running back Austin Walter

Do it-all running back, receiver and return man Austin Walter was the glue that held this offense together during long stretches of the season. He finished 14th in the nation in all-purpose yards, flirting with the national lead early in the season. Walter averaged 8.1 yards per play this season.

28.7 Percent third down conversion rate

Becoming a more consistent offense on third down will be near the top of the priority list this season. For whatever the reason, Rice struggled to convert third downs at an alarming rate in 2018. Fourth downs weren’t an issue and but the quantity can be taken down a notch with a few more third down conversions next season.

31 – Punts inside the 20 by Jack Fox

Not only was Jack Fox one of the most consistent players for the Owls, he ranks among the best players at his position in the entire nation. A Ray Guy Award Finalist, Fox led the nation in punts inside the 20, flipping the field with regularity.

44 and 78 – Long scrimmage plays made by the Owls and against the Owls

The Rice offense was not explosive this season. They had their moments but finished near the bottom of the pack with 44 plays of 20+ yards. The lack of pop combined with a defense that finished last in CUSA with 78 plays of 20+ yards allowed put them on the short ends of both sticks.

32:40 – Average time of possession for Rice

Pound the rock, control the clock and play great defense is the new mantra on South Main. Rice finished 16th in average time of possession this season, limiting the opportunities opposing offenses had to do damage. This measure should prove more powerful as the offense progresses.

224 – Rushing yards by Juma Otoviano against Old Dominion

Fresh in minds of Rice fans because of its recency, the performance true freshman Juma Otoviano put on in the Owls’ season finale was superb. He had more rushing yards on his two touchdown runs (142) than he had during his career entering the game (140). He tied Chad Richardson for fifth-most in a single game in Rice history, was named CUSA offensive player of the week and got an ESPN helmet sticker.

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Saying thanks to the Owls’ seniors

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Rice football says thanks to 20 seniors that put their heart and soul into this program. They will be formally recognized on Senior Day against Old Dominion.

On Senior Day the Owls will recognize 20 players from a variety of places and roles in the Rice football program. All 20 of those players have already or will graduate with degrees. That’s a tremendous accomplishment of which head coach Mike Bloomgren and the staff take much pride.

Austin Walter is one of several players that will be missed next year and beyond. His on-field efforts have energized an offense that needed a spark. “It’s bittersweet,” said Walter as he reminisced on his last game wearing blue and grey, “This has probably been my best statistical year, but I’m not as happy because I wanted to leave a legacy as a team.”

One win through the first 12 games of the season doesn’t adequately portray the importance of what Walter and others have done to build this culture. They’ve led well through a coaching change and set up the younger classes for success down the road. “Looking back at it, there’s nothing I regret,” recounted Walter.

The wins have been hard to come but head coach Mike Bloomgren is confident the effort of players like Walter have not been put forth in vain. He believes the ripple effects of their labor will go well beyond the on-field product in 2018. “I don’t know if I can articulate how much I’ve appreciated these seniors and how much they’ve done to help advance our mission,” he said, speaking confidently of the leadership and cultural foundation this class has built into the Rice program.

Each of the 20 members being recognized Saturday has made their mark on this program. Some will look to further their playing careers at the next level, many will look elsewhere. Regardless of where their next step will take them, thank you, seniors, for all you’ve done for Rice Football.

Players being recognized on Senior Day

Lawrence Cimino – cornerback

  • 5 career appearances (none in 2018)
  • Earned scholarship for 2018 season

Jorian Clark – cornerback

  • Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with two starts
  • 2018 stats: 17 tackles, two pass breakups

Josh Cummings – cornerback

  • Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with no starts
  • 2018 stats: 5 tackles

Brandon Douglas-Dotson – cornerback

  • Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with nine starts
  • 2018 stats: 13 tackles (2 TFL), two pass breakups

Jack Fox – punter/specialist

  • Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
  • 2018 stats: 45.6 average punt distance, 25 inside the 20, 24 punts of 50+ yards, 5-of-12 field goals, 20-of-20 PATs

Giovani Gentosi – fullback

  • Graduate transfer from UCLA
  • Played all 12 games in 2018 with three starts
  • 2018 stats: six carries for 39 yards, four receptions for 27 yards

Parker Hanusa – defensive lineman

  • Played 11 of 12 games in 2018 with no starts
  • 2018 stats: 13 tackles

Cameron Johnson – wide receiver

  • 9 career appearances (none in 2018)
  • Former walk on who earned a scholarship

Trevor Long – wide receiver / special teams

  • 16 career appearances (none in 2018)

Clayton Malcomb – long snapper

  • 10 career appearances (none in 2018)

Andrew Mike

  • Graduate transfer from Florida
  • 2018 stats: 5 appearances

Martin Nwakamma – linebacker

  • Played in 11 of 12 games in 2018 with four starts
  • 2018 stats: 14 tackles (2 TFL), one fumble recovery, one pass breakup

Sam Pierce – offensive line

  • Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
  • One of eight players to start every game for Rice this season

Graysen Schantz – defensive end

  • Played all 12 games in 2018 with 12 starts
  • 2018 stats: 48 tackles (4 TFL), one fumble recovery

Shawn Stankavage – quarterback

  • Played in 9 games of 12 games in 2018 with 9 starts
  • 2018 stats: 1,328 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Samuel Stewart – running back

  • 28 career appearances (none in 2018)
  • 1605 career all-purpose yards, 10 touchdowns

Carl Thompson – defensive line

  • 18 career appearances (none in 2018)
  • 32 career tackles, 1.5 sacks

Haden Tobola – kicker/specialist

  • 9 appearances in 2018 with no starts
  • 2018 stats: 10-of-11 field goals, career-long 51-yards vs LSU

Austin Walter – running back / wide receiver

  • 12 appearances in 2018 with 4 starts
  • 2018 stats: 557 rushing yards, 501 receiving yards, six total touchdowns

Brady Wright – defensive end

  • 11 appearances in 2018 with no starts
  • 2018 stats: two tackles
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Why playing the blue bloods matters

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Rice football fell 42-10 in Death Valley to LSU in Week 11, but a score doesn’t accurately convey how meaningful this game was to this program.

Optically a 30+ point defeat doesn’t look good in a box score. Rice was outgained on the ground and through the air. The defense bent and bent some more. In the midst of what ended up becoming a one-sided affair, this team grew up.

Trailing by multiple touchdowns from the first quarter on, Rice fought. “In this world where it’s so easy to hit the reset button and to just quit, I don’t think you say any of our guys quit today,” said head coach Mike Bloomgren after the game, “I thought you saw them fight until the scoreboard said 0:00.”

As alluded to in the initial postgame reaction, playing the best teams makes you better. Against LSU, Rice had to play faster, hit harder and be more aggressive than they’d been at any point this season. Leaving Tiger Stadium with a loss is indicative of more work that needs to be done, but senior running back Aston Walter said the team was glad to have this chance.

“It was a great experience,” relayed Walter, “I feel like I got better this game, I fell like a lot of my teammates got better this game. It was good to say we played one of the top 10 teams in the country.” Their resolve was tested. Nevertheless, tucked away in a one-sided affair on the scoreboard were moments that individuals on this team will remember forever.

Freshman running back Juma Otoviano scored his first career touchdown. Hayden Tobola drilled a 51-yard field goal. Senior punter Jack Fox silenced the crowd with a booming kick, scampering down the field to make the tackle on his first punt of the day. All on one of the nation’s biggest stages against one of the nation’s best teams.

Fox called the moment “indescribable” and Walter echoed it, speaking positively about the trial-by-fire moment that forced he and his teammates to grow up quickly. Both players and Mike Bloomgren shared a crystal clear message. Winning and losing is what matters the most at the end of the day, but getting a chance to go 10 rounds with the best of the best is an unforgettable experience. One that, if you let it, impacts how you play your game moving forward.

The Owls are hoping they can harness those feelings and produce one more win next Saturday at home against Old Dominion.

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The Amazing Jack Fox earns Ray Guy recognition

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After a tremendous 2018 campaign, Rice football punter Jack Fox has been recognized as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy award.

Jack Fox’s selection to the Conference USA Football Coaches Preseason All-Conference team was just the beginning of what has become an incredible senior season. The Owls’ punter has been selected as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, an honor given the nation’s top punter.

Fellow state of Texas specialists Dominic Panazzolo of Texas Tech and Braden Mann of Texas A&M were also recognized.

Fox was honored to simply be mentioned in the conversation. “It’s something I’ve been working for since I was a freshman,” said Fox, who is now one of 10 players still in the running for the award. The list will be paired to three on Tuesday, Nov. 10 before the winner is formally announced during the Home Depot College Football Award Show on Dec. 6. If Fox wins, he’ll be invited to the formal presentation at the Gridiron Football Banquet in August, GA in January.

Special teams coach Pete Lembo was effusive with his praise, saying Fox’s contributions to the team go well beyond the box score — which is impressive in its own right. “Jack can see the big picture,” said Lembo, “He’s got a real good understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish and how he needs to do his job to make that happen.”

Making that happen, for Fox, has included a long list of statistical achievements. He booted a career-long 76-yard punt against North Texas earlier this season and kicked a career-high 12 punts against UAB which tied a school and conference record. Fox has amassed a 40.1 net while averaging 45.3 yards on 66 punts so far this season.

Lembo credits Fox’s willingness to learn and experiment with new things, like a rugby-style kick which he added to his game in the weeks prior to the Owls’ opener against Prairie View. “If there’s any critique its sometimes he’s too hard on himself,” admitted Lembo with a grin.

However he’s made it happen, Fox is having the senior season he could have only dreamed of. It’s only right that he’s being recognized as one of the best at what he does. You can vote for Jack Fox in the Ray Guy fan vote here.

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Quarterback changes take center stage, practice notes (11/8)

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Rice football continues to work on the practice field as they prepare for Louisiana Tech in Week 11. Here are the latest news and notes.

The plan at quarterback behind Stankavage

True freshman quarterback Wiley Green has looked promising so far this season. The Owls’ former fifth stringer racked up 525 yards passing, four total touchdowns (one rushing) and four interceptions across three games. Green can only play in one more contest this year and preserve his redshirt — something Bloomgren indicated was important to the coaching staff during his Tuesday press conference.

Bloomgren is going to get that fourth game in at some point this season, the question is when will that be? If the situation arises where Rice has to turn to the bench late in a winnable game to Louisiana Tech we might see Green over fellow backup Jackson Tyner. Otherwise, Tyner is the probable No. 2 behind Stankavage this week. He took reps with the second team on Thursday. Green ran the scout unit.

D’Angelo Ellis is going to be a thing

The junior defensive back saw limited action as a member of the Owls’ offense in their game against UTEP. He registered one carry for three yards, playing as a wide receiver motioning out of the backfield. That was his first dose of game action this season and his involvement is only going to go up.

Ellis is quick and could provide a jolt to this offense. Him, alongside a guy like Austin Walter, can be spark plugs for a unit that all too often gets stuck. He has the potential to be that kind of big-play guy.

Get a good look at Jack Fox

It’s not often that you get transfixed in practice by special teams, but it’s worth taking every moment remaining to appreciate punter Jack Fox. His punts boomed effortlessly down the field with a subtle thump each time he launched the ball off his foot. He’s going to be playing on Sundays.

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