Next up for Rice football: UTSA. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Charlotte game and the bye week then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with UTSA. Bloomgren announced during the press conference the team would be wearing the Luv-Ya-Blue throwback uniforms for the game.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs UTSA

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“We’re coming back. We’re focused on UTSA. We understand the mission. We understand going 1-0 and that is really the singleness of focus we have right now is trying to find a way to beat UTSA a team that we haven’t beat since 2014. We are  putting everything we have into this week to give us our best chance. We know how well coached they are. I have all the respect in the world for coach [Jeff] Traylor. We know how talented they are. They’ve got great players. So do we.” – Mike Bloomgren on the team’s mentality coming off the bye week

“Thank God. McCown’s played good. He’s done some good things. He’s has moments where he looked really, really comfortable in that offense. They’re still UTSA’s offense… But again, them not having Superman back there is going to be nice. It’s not a knock on McCown, it’s just what Frank was able to do to us through the years.” – Mike Bloomgren on facing a UTSA offense without former star quarterback Frank Harris

“I think his growth is just continuing to get more comfortable in this system. The thing I still want from him is more input. What do you like? What do you not like? I ask him every week, ‘What’s your favorite things? What do you like in third down? Is there anything on the call sheet you don’t like? I think it’s easy for us as coaches to see how the X’s and O’s draw up, but ultimately what matters is what that kid knows and what he’s comfortable [with] and loves because it’s amazing when you take ownership of it how invested you are and how you just seem to make those things work when they’re your idea. We’re still reaching for that.” – Mike Bloomgren’s on the growth of Rice quarterback EJ Warner

“We take it personal when anyone gets close to EJ. We don’t want to give up any pressures, much less a sack. We feel like we’re talented enough and we’re a very talented unit. The expectation is to not let anyone close to him. That’s what we try to do every week.” – Offensive lineman Chad Lindberg on being top 10 in the nation in sacked allowed

“He’s probably the funniest coach I’ve ever head. Playing for him has probably been the best experience I’ve ever had in college football and I’ve played college football for a long time now, a long, long time. Obviously, [I’m] enjoying my time”” – Defensive lineman Michael Larbie on  defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

We’ve got a lot of changes to the depth chart this week, rooted primarily in a swath of injuries that have hit the roster over the last few weeks. First, we’ll start with two prominent players who were on the two-deep against Charlotte that are not on this iteration of the lineup card: tight end Boden Groen and tackle Ethan Onianwa. Their status for Saturday’s game remains up in the air. As always stay tuned to practice notes later in the week for the latest on that front.

Onianwa’s absence saw Chad Lindberg shifted from guard to tackle with Trace Norflett filling a spot in the interior. That’s how the team aligned against Charlotte and what should be expected if Onianwa is unable to go this week. At tight end, Elijah Mojarro had the big touchdown grab last week filling in for Groen. Graham Walker has been utilized in a pass catching role over the middle this season, too.

As for the defense, Aquantis Clemmons has leapfrogged Elroyal Morris in the interior of the line. Freshman Kaleb Blanton sees his name mentioned on a two-deep for the first time this season with the ever-evolving rotation at that position. Behind them, Tyson Flowers returns to the two-deep after missing the past two games with injury.

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Next up for Rice football: Charlotte. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Army game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Charlotte.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Charlotte

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“They out executed us. They out-played us in many ways, played with better fundamentals including pad-level. Unfortunately it was a very common occurance where the gold helmets were under the silver helmets. They played with better leverage and because of that they were able to move us. We put a strong emphasis on fundamentals this week and [we’re] really counted on our coaches doing a great job putting us in position to play the game.” – Mike Bloomgren on what the team has adjusted since Army

“They’re an unbelievabley talented team. You look at pieces that they brought into their program. It’s something Biff’s always said he would be able to do and has done. I think top to bottom, they are very talented American Conference team and they’re playing hard. They’re just not getting [the results]. Probably like looking in the mirror a little bit. I think we’re very talented. We’re not getting results we want. So probably a very similar feel in their camp right now to ours.” – Mike Bloomgren on Charlotte

“I think what we’ve seen is a guy grow. I think he kinda got thrown to the wolves last year against us. I’m not saying he wasn’t ready or anything like that, but the quarterback we saw on film against Indiana had the ability to get the ball out of his hands, the ability bring his feet into the game, those are the positives. I just think you’ve got greath growth. I think us looking at the guy that played against us last year would be a mistake if we think that’s the guy we’re gonna get this Saturday.” – Mike Bloomgren’s on Charlotte quarterback Trexler Ivey

“When you almost shut out a team the previous year, there’s some confidence, but it’s a whole nother year. It’s a whole nother team. We’re a whole new team. They’re a whole new team… It doesn’t really matter who we play. We’re focused on the Rice Owls having a good week of practice and coming back with that energy and confidence.” – Linebacker Josh Pearcy on experience against Charlotte last year

“From game one I think our communication, number one, has improved drastically. We’ve done a really good job of  being on the right people and making sure we’re all on the same page. That was a big emphasis that coach Sanders [Davis] had on us at the beginning of the year when I first got here during camp, communication, communication, communication. I think that we’ve done a really good job just emphasizing that and fixing that as well as getting movement and holding up in pass protection.” – Offensive linemen David Stickle on the growth of the o-line 

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were a ton of changes to the depth chart this week, the majority of them injury-related. Let’s start with the offense where Chad Lindberg has been moved to right guard, filling in for an injured John Long. That also required Weston Kropp to step in and take over the left guard space behind Lindberg. That’s it for the offense.

On defense, Demone Green is off the two-deep after announcing on social media this week that he would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Joseph Mutombo takes over his spot behind Charlie Looes. At linebacker, Ty Morris and Myron Morrison are the starters this week with Andrew Awe replaced by Blaise Tita on the two-deep.

Safety continues to be a revolving door. The injury to Tyson Flowers — Bloomgren seemed optimistic he might be able to go this week, something subscribers should look for in practice notes later in the week. For the time being, it’s Peyton Stevenson slated to make the start with Chike Anigbogu as his backup. Daveon Hook takes over the free safety spot. Lamont Narcisse and AJ Stephens, both of which have been in the corner room to this point, move to the backup safety spots as JoJo Jean was also banged up last week. This is a rough room right now.

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Next up for Rice football: Army. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Houston loss and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Army.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Army

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“I still believe the Rice Owls are the only team that can beat the Rice Owls and we gotta stop [making mistakes]. We’ve got to play our kind of football. We’ve got to play the caliber of football I know we’re capable of and it can’t just be on Tuesday and Wednesday practices. It’s gotta be on Saturdays when the lights are on and our kids understand that.” – Mike Bloomgren on the state of the Rice football program right now

“We’ve also probably limited more in terms of what’s on the call sheet in the run game and pass game, partly because we want to make sure we’re masters of it and partly because we know we’re not going to get 50 base play calls in this game. You’re just not… We’re as dialed in as we can be with this gameplan to give our guys the chance to go out there with confidence and play the way that we believe they’re capable of.” – Mike Bloomgren on offensive adjustments following the Houston game 

“No. 13, their quarterback, he is a great leader, captain of their team. He does everything incredibly well, running the ball, falling forward, just being a natural tough… The thing with them is yes, you’ve got to do you’re job. They’re going to make you fit the run. They’re going to make sure you be assignment sound, even at a position like corner. But as we saw against FAU on the second drive, they’ll also drop back and throw one over your head. The play-action pass stuff is real.” – Mike Bloomgren’s on the Army offense

“I think it’ll be fun. Army’s kind of a team you grew up watching, you know, the Army/Navy Game, that’s always a fun environmen to see… On film, you can tell they’re incredibly disciplined, they’re going to be where they’re supposed to be and they play very, very hard. Like coach said, it’ll be a battle, but I’m super excited about it. It’s a unique opportunity that a lot of teams don’t get.” – Running back Christian Francisco on playing Army

“We’ve been going over this since the spring, going over the triple option and that’s helped us really just recognize it and know exactly what we’re supposed to do… They come out, they’re low, they’re aggresive and they’re very disciplined. ” – Defensive linemen Blake Boenisch on the Army offense

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were no changes to the official depth chart this week. Stay tuned to practice notes later in the week for subscribers for the latest on the injury front. There were a few players knocked up during the Houston game and several others who weren’t able to go last week with uncertain timelines.

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Next up for Rice football: the season opener against Texas Southern. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Sam Houston State loss and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Texas Southern.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Texas Southern

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

““Watching the film from Saturday, it’s clear that we got away from who we want to be as a football team. And that happened early often. We were critical of the film. I feel like this team has digested the lessons and we will use this fuel. We will respond.” – Mike Bloomgren on the aftermath from the Sam Houston loss

“My belief has not wavered. I believe in this team in all aspects, from every individual, to every position group, to all three phases, to the guys that are coaching it. I also think I’ve been clear with the coaches and the team that we’re no longer going to talk about who this team can be. Right now we’re going to talk about who we are based on that game and how we go forward, how we get better, because those are the only things within our control. I’ve said it for years. Every good program has their biggest jump from week one to week two. And that’s our challenge is to get better right now and to make that big jump, take full advantage for this opportunity we have to have in front of us. We know we have to be better.” – Mike Bloomgren on the program right now 

“My ask right now is for the fans in this program, the people that care about this place to continue to support these kids and to keep coming out. The kids are worthy of their support. I thought we had a great atmosphere in the game Saturday and I thought the only thing that stunk was was our play. So we need that again from our fans.

We’re asking them to come out to Tailgate Owley again to be there to support the guys and welcome them to Rice Stadium when they get off the bus at 4 pm. We need that crowd. We’re going to need these people in the stands, making this a home field advantage again. We’re gonna put on a better show this weekend and we’re working to make sure that’s our reality.” – Mike Bloomgren’s message to the fans

“We got some good pressure, but at the same time, I think we need to take another step, a major step because the run defense was unacceptable. We got to make sure we shut down the run. You can’t win a game if you’re letting up carries like that. We also gotta make sure with our pass rush that we’re keeping the QB in the pocket… Even though we had some nice sacks, good pressure, we gotta make sure we’re limiting that run game.” – Defensive end Charlie Looes on the defensive performance vs Sam Houston

“They got a pretty physical front. The D-linemen are big, strong, they’re pretty explosive, like to penetrate. We just got to focus on our fundamentals and make sure we’re in the best spot to beat it.” – Offensive lineman John Long on the Texas Southern offense

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were no changes to the official depth chart this week. Stay tuned to practice notes later in the week for subscribers for the latest on the injury front. There were a few players knocked up during the Sam Houston game and several others who weren’t able to go last week that the Owls hope to have back soon.

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