The source for Rice sports news

Rice Football 2020: Owls in the NFL Week 4 Update

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2020 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 4.

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

Week 4 results

Cleveland (Sendejo) def. Dallas, 49-38
Cincinnati (Covington) def. Jacksonville, 33-25
Denver (Anderson, Callahan) def. New York Jets, 37-28
Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) vs Tennessee, postponed
Minnesota def. Houston (Gaines), 31-23
New Orleans def. Detroit (Fox), 35-29
Seattle (Willson) def. Miami, 31,23

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

The starting five for the Denver offensive line have played every down so far this season, limiting Anderson to special teams duties thus far. He saw a season high seven snaps with the special teams unit in the team’s Week 4 win over the Jets. The Broncos visit the Patriots in Week 5.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

The Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Titans was postponed after a COVID-19 outbreak in Tennessee. This week became their defacto bye week with the Titans game rescheduled for Week 7. The Steelers host the Eagles in Week 5.

Luke Willson – TE, Seahawks

Willson was active for the Seahawks’ Week 4 win over the Dolphins but didn’t receive any looks from Russel Wilson in the passing game. The Seahawks host the Vikings in Week 5 on Sunday Night Football.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

The Steelers’ Week 4 game against the Titans was postponed after a COVID-19 outbreak in Tennessee. This week became their defacto bye week with the Titans game rescheduled for Week 7. The Steelers host the Eagles in Week 5.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan was active on Thursday Night Football against the Jets, finishing second on the team with seven tackles. His six solo tackles tied a season high. He also registered one pass defended. The Broncos visit the Patriots in Week 5.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington got the start for the Bengals in their first win of the season over the Jaguars. He tallied four tackles in the victory. The Bengals visit the Ravens in Week 5.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

It was a good week for Jack Fox, who became the first Lions special teamer to take home the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month Award prior to the team’s game against the Saints.

Fox punted four times on Sunday, averaging 54.5 yards per punt with a long of 57 yards. He’s been more or less perfect every time he’s touched the ball so far. The Lions are on bye in Week 5.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines had three tackles in the Texans’ Week 4 loss to the Vikings. The Texans host the Jaguars in Week 5.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo picked up four tackles in the Browns’ Week 4 victory over the Cowboys. His biggest moment came when he stripped Ezekiel Elliot of the football to force a big Browns turnover.

The Browns host the Colts in Week 5.

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2020: Owls in the NFL Week 3 Update

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2020 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 3.

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

Week 3 results

Cleveland (Sendejo) def. Washington, 34-20
Cincinnati (Covington) tied Philadelphia, 23-23
Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) def. Houston (Gaines), 28-21
Tampa Bay def. Denver (Anderson, Callahan), 28-10
Detroit (Fox) def. Arizona, 26-23
Seattle (Willson) def. Dallas, 38-31

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson has seen his action primarily on special teams this season with the Broncos. He was active again on Sunday in the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Bucs. The Broncos visit the Jets for Thursday Night Football in Week 4.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald set a season-high three receptions for 36 yards in the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Texans. Two of his grabs moved the chains and led to scoring drives. He threw some impactful blocks and made a difference in the running game as well. The Steelers visit the Titans in Week 4.

Luke Willson – TE, Seahawks

Willson was inactive for the Seahawks’ Week 3 win over the Cowboys. The Seahawks visit the Dolphins in Week 4.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was perfect again on Sunday, converting a pair of extra points and two field goals, including a long of 33 yards. The Steelers visit the Titans in Week 4.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan nearly blocked a field goal against the Bucs in Week 3, but drew an offsides flag. He had three tackles in the loss. The Broncos visit the Jets for Thursday Night Football in Week 4.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington was dealing with a biceps injury during the week but still managed to suit up against the Eagles. He had one tackle in the tie. The Bengals host the Jaguars in Week 4.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox picked up his first professional victory on Sunday, helping the Lions beat the Cardinals on the road. Fox booted punts of 65, 60, 54 and 43 yards. His only punt shorter than 50 yards was downed on the two-yard line.

Oh, and here’s some kudos for Fox from PFF Analyst Anthony Treash from last week.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Anthony/status/1309218958025920514

The Lions host the Saints in Week 4.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines registered two tackles in the Texans’ Week 3 loss to the Steelers. The Texans host the Vikings in Week 4.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo finished third on the team on the team with five tackles against Washington in Week 3. He’s up to 19 total tackles for the season, 15 solo. The Browns visit the Cowboys in Week 4.

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2020: Owls in the NFL Week 2 Update

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2020 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 2.

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

Week 2 results

Cleveland (Sendejo) def Cincinnati (Covington), 35-30
Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) def. Denver (Anderson, Callahan), 26-21
Green Bay def. Detroit (Fox), 42-21
Baltimore def. Houston (Gaines), 33-16
Seattle (Willson) def. Patriots, 35-30

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson was active for the Broncos’ Week 2 loss to the Steelers. The Broncos host the Bucs in Week 3.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald was held to one catch in Week 2 against the Broncos, hauling in a three-yard reception on two targets. The Steelers host the Texans in Week 3.

Luke Willson – TE, Seahawks

Willson was active in the Seahawks’ thrilling win over the Patriots in Week 2 but did not see any passes thrown his way. The Seahawks host the Cowboys in Week 3.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was perfect against the Broncos in Week 2, converting his lone field goal attempt from 21 yards and all three extra-point trys. The Steelers host the Texans in Week 3.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan had fives tackles and one tackle for a loss against the Steelers in Week 2. The Broncos host the Bucs in Week 3.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington joined the Bengals on the eve of the regular season and has already become a fixture of Cincinnati’s defensive line. He played 59 percent of the snaps against the Browns with three tackles, including half a tackle for a loss. The Bengals visit the Eagles in Week 3.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox put together another strong outing in his second pro appearance. He put two of his punts inside the 20 and averaged 54.2 yards on his five attempts with a long of 67 yards. His shortest punt of the day went 45 yards. The remainder went 50+. The Lions visit the Cardinals in Week 3.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines had one tackle against the Ravens in Week 2. The Texans visit the Steelers in Week 3.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo was one of two Browns to play all 92 defensive snaps on Thursday Night Football against the Bengals.  He led the team with 10 tackles. The Browns host Washington in Week 3.

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football 2020: Owls in the NFL Week 1 Update

By

Rice Football is well represented on 2020 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 1.

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

Week 1 results

Tennessee def. Denver (Anderson, Callahan), 16-14
Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) def. New York Giants, 26-16
Seattle (Willson) def. Atlanta, 38-25
Los Angeles Chargers def. Cincinnati (Covington), 16-13
Chicago def. Detroit (Fox), 27-23
Kansas City def. Houston (Gaines), 34-20
Baltimore def. Cleveland (Sendejo), 38-6

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson was active for the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Titans. This was the first game he was active since signing with Denver last year. The Broncos visit the Steelers in Week 2.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

Pittsburgh had their way through the air against the Giants in Week 1. McDonald caught one of two targets for three years with most of the offense running through receivers Juju Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson. The Steelers host the Broncos in Week 2.

Luke Willson – TE, Seahawks

Russell Willson connected with nine different pass catchers on Sunday but did not complete a pass to Willson. The Seahawks host the Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 2.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell connected on field goals of 36- and 41-yards against the Giants on Monday Night Football. He made two of three extra points with the miss hitting the right upright. Last season Boswell was a perfect 28-of-28 on point-after tries. The Steelers host the Broncos in Week 2.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan finished second on the team in tackles with eight in his debut game with Denver. Six of those were solo tackles. The Broncos visit the Steelers in Week 2.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington had three tackles in his Cincinnati debut, playing on 51 percent of the defensive snaps. Earlier in the week, he had this to say about learning the ropes with a new team:

The Bengals visit the Browns on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox shined in his NFL debut, blasting a 55-yard punt and a 54-yard punt, both of which were downed inside the 15-yard line. He also registered his first career tackle. The Lions visit the Packers in Week 2.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines saw all of his action on special teams in his 2020 debut with Houston, playing seven snaps on Thursday night against the Chiefs. The Texans host the Ravens in Week 2.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo finished fourth on the Browns in tackles in Week 1 with four. Fellow safety Karl Joseph was the only member of the Cleveland secondary who had more (five). The Browns host the Bengals in Week 2.

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.

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

Recent Posts

Rice Football: Jack Fox dazzles in NFL debut with Lions

By

Jack Fox made Rice Football fans proud in his NFL debut, excelling as the starting punter and kickoff specialist for the Detroit Lions.

Former Rice Football punter Jack Fox kicked played in his first NFL game this weekend. He showed no signs of any first-game jitters, blasting the opening kickoff for a touchback to start the game. He would go on to excel in a variety of roles in his pro debut.

Fox tallied two other touchbacks, put six kickoffs into the endzone. He had two punts travel more than 50 yards, both of which were downed inside the 15-yard line. He also handled holding duties for kicker Matt Prater. If that wasn’t enough already, he registered his first career tackle on kick coverage.

“Honestly I think I built it up in my head leading up to the game,” Fox said. “When I got on the field it just felt like a normal football game. But still a cool experience.”

For Fox, it took a “redshirt” year to master the finer details of the punting profession. A season spent on and off practice squads combined with an offseason working out with fellow specialists in Birmingham (at what has been dubbed the Punter Conclave on Fox’s recent appearance on The Roost Podcast) ended in a heated battle for the starting job in Detroit. Fox won the job at the end of camp. He proved on Sunday he was more than deserving.

Despite Fox’s efforts, the Lions were unable to win the game. Running back D’Andre Swift dropped what would have been the go-ahead touchdown pass from in the closing seconds. Had he hauled it in, the Lions would have won and made Fox’s NFL debut that much sweeter. Even still, Fox had a stellar start to what continues to look like a promising professional career.

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

Recent Posts