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Rice Football 2019: Week 12 Middle Tennessee Press Conference quotes

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Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren debriefed a busy bye week then turned his attention to the Owls’ Week 12 game against Middle Tennessee.

More: Rice Football game preview for Week 12 vs Middle Tennessee

Safety Naeem Smith and running back Juma Otoviano joined Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren at the podium on Tuesday. The trio discussed final bye week of the season and made comments on the team’s upcoming game at Middle Tennessee.

From Mike Bloomgren

On what he’s learned about the team so far…

“This team has proven to me time and again, that they will respond to challenges. So we did challenge them in the bye week. We challenged them to really understand that we do have three games promised to us in our season, but we needed to live in the moment. We needed to be where their feet are, and really take this thing in day by day, minute by minute increments and just play by play. And that’s how they responded. And that was really cool.”

On conversations with Rice Women’s Basketball coach Tina Langley at the radio show on Monday night…

“Last night I got to hang out with Tina Langley, our women’s basketball coach. I love talking to her every chance I get. We love talking culture, we love talking motivation. I just think she’s outstanding. I’m trying to grab some of her mojo while she was at the radio show.”

On the quarterback situation …

“So obviously [we were] pleased with some of the things that JoVoni [Johnson] was able to do in the first start. We thought he moved the chains pretty well. He was eight of nine passing in the first half and I thought that was a really impressive start for him. And then Tom Stewart is the other one that we’re going to have on the ready. So we’re going to have those guys go and take a look at how practice goes and whoever is healthy and gives us the best chance [to win] is who we’ll trot out there.”

On running back rotation…

“Whoever’s got the hot hand. We trust all those guys. Juma [Otoviano] is a guy that we proven is explosive. Old Dominion, in his first start, he rushed for 224 yards, that’s no secret. But we have guys that we trust it’s not just Charlie [Booker]. It’s not just Aston [Walter]. It’s also Nahshon Ellerbe. All those guys can have roles and really whoever has the hot hand — and some people may have certain plays earmarked for them going into this game — that’s where we’ll go.”

On MTSU quarterback Asher O’Hara …

“I think probably at the level he’s doing it, he is the best dual-threat [quarterback that Rice has faced] because I compare him — obviously a very different offense — but to the Army, in terms of running the ball and a lot of things going through him, with him being their leading rusher in eight of nine games this year. But as a true dual-threat, I think he’s completed 71 percent of his passes. Yeah, he might be the top dog. The one at Texas wasn’t bad either.”

From Saf Naeem Smith

On the matchup against MTSU quarterback Asher O’Hara…

“I actually played [against O’Hara] in JUCO … Definitely a great athlete. He can throw it too. I remember in JUCO we thought that was the best quarterback we played against or maybe even the best player. So I have a lot of respect for him. As a defense, I see it as an opportunity.  We have to make sure we’re all on the same page. Everyone needs to know their run fit, and then everybody needs to lock up on the outside. We make sure we do our job. And if we can do that, I think we can be successful. They got a great offense.”

From RB Juma Otoviano

On what the running backs focused on during the bye …

“I’d say it’s a lot of reps and then going back and watching ourselves on film. We’ve been harping on our footwork on our outside zone… that was something that we all kind of struggled on early on, but moving forward now we’ve gotten a lot better.”

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Rice Football 2019: Week 4 Baylor Press Conference quotes

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Rice Football head coach Mike Bloomgren made his final comments on the Texas game as the Owls move onward to Baylor in Week 4.

Center Brian Chaffin and safety Naeem Smith joined head coach Mike Bloomgren at the podium on Tuesday. The trio made comments on the Owls’ performance against Texas, the progress they’ve seen so far and the adjustments the transfers have made since arriving at South Main.

From Mike Bloomgren
On the support from the student section…

“I want to start off by talking about our student section and how they’ve come out in full force at our first two home contests and really filled that thing up and how much we appreciate it… We look forward to having them in another great home game this weekend and hope we have their continued support all year.”

On what the big picture and the team’s progress…

“The toughest part of striving for greatness is the journey, very simply. And we know that. We acknowledge that and we all want to happen faster. I promise nobody’s in more of a rush for better than me. But we’re going to step back and keep working on the process and work on things that win games and know that we’re building a very solid culture.”

On the influence of Baylor coach Matt Rhule…

“I think coach Rhule and his football team are outstanding. I think the way he’s built them, the physical presence that they have, the physical mindset, the mental toughness that they exude on film, I’m just so impressed with what he and his coaching staff have been able to build there. Coach Rhule been a great friend and mentor me since I took this job.”

On the status of quarterback Wiley Green…

“Wiley [Green] practiced full yesterday and took some reps with the ones and has done some really good things to come back. He’s still getting treatment, but he is cleared to practice and we think that there’s a good chance — we don’t want to rush him back — but we think there’s a good chance he’s gonna play this Saturday… he’s trending the right way.”

On what he needs to see from his team against Baylor…

“Four quarters. And really being able to go with the model that we say, which is start fast, stay focused and finish strong. At no point have we really done that this year. We started really fast defensively against Army. Obviously, that was a great slugfest that was an epic game to be part of. Wake Forest, they scored 14 honest before we could blink and part of that was offensive turnover. So that’s tough.

So I look back and I just think if we can do that, if we can come out the gates and start fast and really get off the field on defense and punch one in that we do so much for our confidence right now as a football team. And I’m not saying that we’re fragile. I don’t believe we’re fragile because look at what happened when Wiley got injured and fought back against Wake, but we could use some good things to happen right now.”

On what the team is doing best right now…

“Fighting and staying together. The fact that again, at no point did we sack our bats and just go home. I think that’s the thing that would have been easy to do.”

From Brian Chaffin

On his experience since transferring from Stanford…

“It’s been awesome. I was really excited to come in here and see how much of a step they’ve taken from when we played Rice back in my days at Stanford. This program’s really headed the right direction. We got a lot of guys in here who are believing in this plan, believing in this vision and ready to continue following it and continue embracing intellectual brutality on and off the field.”

From Naeem Smith

On his adjustments since transferring from JUCO…

“I would say the biggest thing would be the mental preparation going into it. I’m definitely watching a lot more film than I ever have in my life. Just making sure that I take every day and really try to get better every day. When I’m watching film I always evaluate myself and, see if I’m really doing the best I can do.”

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Rice Football: Safety battle a source of strength for Owls’ secondary

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Prudy Calderon and Naeem Smith hope to start for the Owls at strong safety next season. No matter what happens, the Owls’ secondary will be in good hands.

The duel between incumbent Prudy Calderon and JUCO transfer Naeem Smith for the starting strong safety position could be the most heavily contested position battle at Rice during fall camp. Yet, when discussing the battles to watch last week, the safety position wasn’t mentioned — and there was reason for that.

Although only one player can be listed as the starter on an official depth chart, Rice will utilize both players heavily this season. Competitors on the practice field, these teammates understand what they have to offer the Owls’ defense and are working hard to improve wherever they can.

The new kid on the block

“Prudy and I, we’ve made each other better,” Smith remarked following Saturday’s scrimmage in which he registered the defense’s only interception of the day. “We have one goal, to get better each day, and I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”

Smith’s takeaway was indicative of that growth. Defensive coordinator Brian Smith praised Naeem, saying he “brings a physical presence to the defense.” Athletically, Smith fits more as a run-stopper. He’s the kind of player who attacks the football and moves sideline to sideline with intensity and power. That skill set has been evident since he arrived in the spring.

In 12 games at Ellsworth Community College last season, Smith registered six tackles for a loss. That mark would have put him second only to the Owls’ Anthony Ekpe’s 6.5 tackles for a loss in 2018.

Calderon has taken notice and admires that facet of Smith’s game. “He has a high motor. I see him on film and from play one to play 50 he’s the same speed, just running to the ball, flying downhill, doing something. That that kid is really talented.”

The returning starter

In many ways, Calderon serves as an excellent complement to Smith. Calderon won the job midway through the 2018 season. He quickly became the team’s deep cover man and pass defending leader. He led the team with four interceptions and seven pass deflections, showing veteran savvy as he made play after play on balls in the air.

As good as he was last season, Calderon has taken a page out of Smith’s book over the past several months. “I played the ball in the pass game pretty well [last season],” he said, “I think what I didn’t really showcase was my physicality and coming down the road game. And that’s one thing I want to do [this year].”

More: Read detailed profiles on Smith and Calderon in our 2019 Rice Football Season Preview

In many ways, it could be that simple. Rice has two extremely talented players who happen to both play the same position.

With George Nyakwol manning the free safety spot and Treshawn Chamberlain holding down the fort and the viper position, there are only so many snaps to go around. That presents a puzzle for Coach Smith to work through, but it’s a good problem to have.

“As a defense,” Calderon remarked, “our chemistry is through the roof.” Both players know that whoever wins the starting job is going to play a lot this year. Whoever “loses” is going to see plenty of the field as well. No matter who’s name is written at the top of the depth chart on a given day, neither appears intimidated or overly concerned.

The path forward

Smith is taking it all in too. “That’s one thing I’ve learned from being at a junior college, nothing is ever handed to you. So, that’s something that we gotta realize and take full advantage of. Every opportunity we step on the field, you got to make the most of it.”

So far, Smith has done just that. Calderon was honored as the team’s best freshman during the offseason. For Smith, getting to South Main in the first place represents a significant achievement. Starter or not, both Smith and Calderon will be important pieces for Rice in 2019.

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2019 Rice Football Season Preview by The Roost

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The staff of The Roost is pleased to announce the release of the 2019 Rice Football Season Preview, a 143-page digital magazine detailing everything you could imagine about the Owls’ upcoming season.

This preview is the culmination of months of research, interviews and analysis. Consider it your one-stop-shop as you prepare for the Owls’ 2019 season.

Available as a downloadable PDF for on-the-go access, this preview contains the following:

1. A breakdown of every position group on the team

Who are the favorites to start entering fall camp? What sort of production should you expect from returning starters? Which of the incoming transfer players should make their mark the quickest? Answers to all of those questions are included, as well as notes on every single player on the 102-man roster.

2. An exclusive interview with head coach Mike Bloomgren

We sat down with coach to get his honest evaluation of where the Rice football program is right now and how he views the progress the team is making as they approach 2019. He’s sticking to a process, one which he remains confident will bring success to South Main.

3. Previews of each 2019 opponent and all 14 CUSA Teams

Supported by local beat writers and experts who cover each team, this section has a wealth of knowledge about every CUSA Team and all the Owls’ 2019 opponents.

Rice fans will want to familiarize themselves with the teams they’ll be facing this year. Get to know which players each squad will have to replace, which newcomers could make noise in 2019 and what outstanding questions those in the know have about their respective squads.

4. A complete 2019 Conference USA Football Preview

Available separately to purchase, everyone who purchases the 2019 Rice Football Season Preview will also get The Roost’s 2019 Conference USA Football Preview. We made our picks for preseason honors, top games to watch in 2019 and a closer look at how every team in the conference stacks up.

Don’t need any more convincing? Get a copy for yourself today

Buy Now

 

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Rice Football: Offseason transfers add up favorably for Owls

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The era of the Transfer Portal is upon college athletics. So far, Rice football has gotten the better end of the player movements between schools.

It was hard to see so many former Rice players depart for new schools following the 2018 season, but the Owls didn’t sit back and sulk. The coaching staff made upgrades across the board. Rice has brought in a stellar freshman class and 10 new transfers. In some cases, the Owls have traded out starting-caliber talent for even better options. Here’s how the incoming and outgoing transfers stack up.

Quarterback: Edge to the Owls

Outgoing | Jackson Tyner — 132 passing yards, no touchdowns, one interception
Incoming | Tom Stewart – 1,614 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, two interceptions

Stewart got significantly more playing time in 2018 than Tyner did, but it’s not like Tyner didn’t have opportunities to earn more playing time. At the very least, Stewart represents some kind of a wildcard without lesser defined potential. Tyner has since transferred to Texas Tech.

Running back: Push

Outgoing | Emmanuel Esukpa — 122 carries, 461 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per carry, three touchdowns
Incoming | Charlie Booker — 41 carries, 213 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, two touchdowns

Both Esukpa and Booker are built in a similar mold. They’re bruisers who run with an attitude. Booker was slightly more productive in lesser time last year, but a healthy form of either of them would serve the Owls well in 2019.

Lineman: Edge to the Owls

Outgoing | Roe Wilkins — 50 tackles, 4.5 TFL, one sack, Zach Abercrumbia — 55 tackles, 4.4 TFL, no sacks
Incoming | Justin Gooseberry, Brian Chaffin, Nick Leverett

The interior of the defensive line is going to miss the presence of two proven veterans. But Rice has managed to work a three-for-two trade with big bodies in the trenches. The impacts will be spread across two different position groups, but the net is a slight positive for the Owls.

Defensive backs: Edge to the Owls

Outgoing | Justin Bickham — 30 tackles, 2.5 TFL, nine passes defended, Houston Robert — 24 tackles, 2.5 TFL, seven passes defended
Incoming | Naeem Smith — 61 tackles, six TFL, four passes defended, Miles McCord — 11 tackles, no TFL, two passes defended

Rice made upgrades in the secondary too. Both Smith and McCord have eligibility remaining beyond 2019 and their best football is ahead of them. Not only should their raw talent pay off for this program in the long term, Smith could work his way into a significant role this season.

The Rest: Edge to the Owls

Incoming |  FB Reagan Williams, WR Bradley Rozner — 44 receptions, 616 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, P Adam Nunez — 41 punts, 19 inside the 20, 39.5 yards per punt

Williams followed Bloomgren from Stanford to South Main and knows the system better than anyone. Rozner led JUCO in receiving touchdowns. Nunez could take over for departing punter Jack Fox. Three big needs met in three big ways.

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