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Rice Football 2024: Sam Houston St. presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: the season opener against Sam Houston State. 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 past few weeks of practice and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Sam Houston State at home.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Sam Houston State

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 think KC Keeler is a very, very good football coach. I think that’s very evident by every place he’s ever been. You don’t have to look any further than the five games that they lost last year by one score and they were so close on so many of those things. And so again, they’re building a great program.”– Mike Bloomgren on Sam Houston and coach KC Keeler

“We’ve kind of got a depth chart we believe in. We’ve got some twos and even some threes that can help us. That’s what’s going to be hard is getting an airplane big enough to take everybody to our road games, so that we can have the ones that deserve to play on special teams, play on special teams and then ones on [offense and defense] as well.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Rice football roster

“There is a lot of strategy. It changes a lot of things from an analytic standpoint, certainly the end the game scenarios and the number of times a team can get the ball back. I told our team don’t be surprised at all for a team to get two possessions, now, if they get the ball outside of two minutes. So you could be up by 14 and not be incredibly comfortable, unless you’re going to be in a position to end the game in a four-minute drive for the offense or get another takeaway on the defense. So it’s going to extend games.” – Mike Bloomgren on the two minute timeout

“My path was a little less clear than most. I wasn’t as constantly developed at the same spot. I was moved back and forth. I worked with a couple different position coaches but never once did I feel like there was anything other than the highest desire for me to be a successful human being in this program and player and I feel like I’m proud to be the person I am right now because of the people around me and the coaches and the leadership and the players that helped me get to that point.” – Defensive tackle Izeya Floyd on his path at Rice

“It’s just been so fun to grow with them since I got here, just trying to work together, find our best chemistry that we can so when we do go on the field we have the success that we all want. It’s been really cool to get a lot of guys step up and grow from the spring and even to fall camp, just different guys that you’ve seen the progression that they’ve made every single day in the work that they’ve put in and just can’t wait to get the ball in those guys hands and let them roll and have a front row seat to watch it.” – Quarterback EJ Warner on getting to know the Owls’ receiving corps

Depth Chart

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Depth Chart Notes

If you’ve been following the coverage on the site this summer, there shouldn’t be a ton of surprises. If you haven’t go ahead and remedy that first by subscribing to The Roost here to get access to all our premium content the rest of the way. That said, there are a few things that stand out from this first pass of an official depth chart, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

First, Drew Devillier was named backup quarterback over AJ Padgett, who has struggled in camp this fall. We hinted that Padgett falling down the depth chart might be a possibility, but it’s still somewhat unusual to see a true freshman beat out two veterans out of the gate.

Bloomgren called the decision one that his staff “didn’t take really likely, anytime you’re going to put a freshman as your No. 2 quarterback over guys who have played in football games” but made it clear that the numbers backed up Devillier as the better option and that Bloomgren was “really, really impressed not just with how he studied and how he processed, but also his cool demeanor.”

The wide receiver room is the other area of note. Drayden Dickman’s rise throughout camp has catapulted him ahead of Kobie Campbell in the ranks. That’s a good sign for an up-and-coming player like himself. Bloomgren made it seem as if Matt Sykes and Rawson MacNeill were neck and neck and would rotate fairly evenly at the X spot. As for the Z position, Braylen Walker is an intriguing riser to watch.

Stay tuned for further updates this week with the latest on the injury front as well as a deeper look at how the receiving corps might be used in Week 1.

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Rice Football 2023: Texas State presser quotes and Bowl depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl vs Texas State. 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 past few weeks of practice and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Texas State in the SERVPRO First Responders Bowl.

Listen Now: The Roost Pod Roosties – Rice Football Regular Season Awards

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 understand it’s a business trip. We also understand it’s a reward for our players that they’ve earned. There’s some great events they have planned. Look forward to partaking in those as well as continuing into practice and get ready for this game when we get there. Being back in a bowl for the second year in a row is a big deal for the continued growth of our program…

I just believe it’s what coach Bowden used to say. It’s how good teams get great and it’s how great teams become elite and we’re somewhere in the middle of that, fighting become a really consistent group that’s enjoying every single practice we get out there.”– Mike Bloomgren on the current state of the program

“They’re a lot like South Florida and Tennessee with the tempo that they incorporate so they’re going to try to have the tempo be a factor in their offensive production but also the they’re like them in terms of spreading you out sideline to sideline and they’ve got a really, really good running back that’s playing good football. They’ve got a great players over there along with a very good scheme that I think GJ [Kinne] knows how to execute very well.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Texas State offense

“Defensively coach [Jonathan] Patke is doing a lot of Manny Diaz type stuff with those transfers, got them playing together. Seems like they’re very much on the same page of what to do. They understand where to fit in their defense. And so they’re kind of making things hard on people in terms of just making you earn it to some degree. When they do that, when they can keep you behind the sticks and get you behind the sticks and make you go on a 10 or a 12 play drive, that’s always hard for an offense.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Texas State defense

“It’s huge. Any extra preparation, you’re going to take it. It’s all about how you use that time and I’m really trying my best to be prepared for these guys and be able to go out there in practice and lead them,  get them in the right stuff, make sure we’re running the play correctly and ultimately go out and execute as effiecntly as possible All that extra time is pivotal.” – Quarterback AJ Padgett on the benefits of extra bowl practices 

“The vibe is great. Everyone’s excited for this. Even just having this opportunity to get these 15 paracitces in, to get another game with this group… it’s really just a blessing. We’re just appeciiating every day of it, every rep of it, every second of it.” – Defensive end Josh Pearcy on the atmosphere around the program right now

“He’s good at getting the ball out to his weapons. He’s good at keeping his eyes down field. Most guys, when they see pressure, they want to take off and run but where he sets himself apart, he remains a passer when he sees his pressure. He’s good at keeping his eyes down field, throwing that check down when he needs to, getting the ball out to his weapons when he has to. At the end of the day, we’ll be ready for him.” ” – Defensive end Josh Pearcy on Texas State quarterback TJ Finley

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Tight end Jack Bradley, who missed the final two games of the regular season, was put back on the postseason depth chart, for now, but head coach Mike Bloomgren mentioned in his media availability his status for the game had yet to be determined.

The uncertainty surrounding Bradley, who wasn’t listed on the FAU depth chart at all, as well as the removal of quarterback JT Daniels are the only significant modifications from the depth chart Rice published in their regular season finale against FAU. Daniels, who has since medically retired, was not available in that game either.

The remainder of the depth chart looks as expected without any major surprises. That is in part because of the remarkable roster consistency the Owls have experienced since the Transfer Portal opened, something we wrote heavily about last week. You can read those notes, as well as upcoming Early Signing Period reactions and further bowl practice notes when you subscribe on Patreon.

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Rice Football 2023: FAU presser quotes and depth chart

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Rice football hosts FAU this week. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup at hand 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 looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with FAU.

Listen Now: The Roost Pod – Breaking down 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

“All we did about by winning that game and taking care of business on Saturday is made this week much bigger, I told them that in the locker room after the game and it’s so true, we understand we’re in playoff mindset. We understand the degree of how important this last game, the last game of the regular season. We’re excited for it.”– Mike Bloomgren on the impact of the Charlotte game

“He had a good doctor’s appointment yesterday. He’s better every single day and nothing has changed from what I told you last week. The moment he can he feels like he can do this thing, we’re going to go with him.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of JT Daniels

“He was on their team last year. And I vaguely remember him. Coach Alamar showed me some film today where he was the punt returner last year. But this year, you can’t turn on a single one of their films without noticing him. He is so exceptional. I think he does a great job.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of FAU WR LaJohntay Wester

“We all know what’s at stake. I’m not having any trouble getting these guys to focus or be in the building. They’re sleeping here in the building, just like a coaches are. They’re around here all the time. It doesn’t matter if [FAU] scored 100 points last game or zero, or eight as they did, but whatever the case, our team is just ultra focused on this opponent and we’re certainly giving them the amount of respect that they deserve. We know that they’re very talented football team.” – Mike Bloomgren on the teams’ focus right now 

“To be completely honest, I haven’t put a whole lot of thought into it. Coach Smith has a great phrase, be where your feet are. I’ve really tried to just focus on prep for this week, focus on prep for last week, as well. Just get the offensive line, especially the guys that are kind of within my frame of control, just make sure we’re as prepared as possible…

I do think it’s going to be emotional during the game. This is my sixth year and this is the final home game. Going back all the way to 2018, there’s been a lot of ups, a lot of downs. A lot of good moments, a lot of bad moments in this stadium, but I’m so extremely blessed to to have been here for all six years and to have a guy like Coach Bloomgren sort of mentor me and coach me through through life as well as football.” – Offensive lineman Clay Servin on his final home game

“I think everybody is so proud of DJ, what he’s overcome in this program. What he’s battled through and how he was able to come out when his number was called…He’s out there recognizing things, recognizing plays. He’s a very instinctive player and it’s really been fun out there playing with him, communicating on the field, seeing things before they happen and watching him go run around and make the play.” – Linebacker Myron Morrison on teammate DJ Arkansas 

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Tight end Jack Bradley was a late scratch on Saturday against Charlotte and has been removed from the depth chart entirely this week. That typically portends to an absence on game day. That means Boden Groen and Elijah Mojarro would be the Owls’ primary tight ends with Bloomgren confirming Mojarro’s availability on Tuesday.

Andrew Awe is listed as the starter at Mike linebacker over DJ Arkansas. Both should play, regardless of how the depth chart reads. Gabe Taylor and Tyson Flowers share an or designation at safety this week. How that sorts out might depend on which packages the Owls run in which situation. It’ll be something we have updates on later in the week — make you subscribe on Patreon for the latest practice report.

The rest of the depth chart reads as it did last week. As for the quarterbacks, Bloomgren said AJ Padgett would be in line to start again, should Daniels not be cleared, and that no matter who starts, Chase Jenkins will get some time on the field to take advantage of his fourth game of playing time while retaining his redshirt status.

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Rice Football 2023: Charlotte presser quotes and depth chart

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Rice football visits Charlotte this week. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup at hand 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 UTSA game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Charlotte.

Listen Now: The Roost Pod – Breaking down 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’ve talked a lot in the last couple days about entering playoff football and that’s always exciting. You get an opportunity to wake up every day and kind of bounce out of bed. It’s just exciting to get those opportunities and we know we need to go 1-0 this week. We know we have a very talented opponent on the other side in Charlotte and Biff Poggi’s team. We’re going to prepare the right way and we’re going to go there and expect to go 1-0 this week.”– Mike Bloomgren on the team’s mindset

“It was great to have JT out at practice yesterday. He was in the bubble, able to be out there and hang out a little bit. I don’t know for sure, we’ll see. We’d love to have him back, there’s no doubt about that. If he gets cleared, we expect to play him.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of JT Daniels

“What’s been interesting is to see how there offense has evolved. They went five straight games with scoring no more than 16 points and in their last two contests they went 33 and 38. They are definitely on an upswing. Making the change at quarterback to Trexler Ivery has seemed to give them a little bit of a boost and a little more stability maybe, but what they did in this last game to give themselves a chance against Memphis is they ran it down their throats.” – Mike Bloomgren on the Charlotte offense

“I think this is a great team and it’s far and away the best team I’ve been apart of since I’ve been here. I’m very grateful to be here and be a leader… It’s going to be a great opportunity that we have in front of us this Saturday, the Saturday following and hopefully the one coming up following that. That’s the only goal that we have is to win football games, go 1-0 this week and get to that bowl game and win it.” – Defensive lineman Izeya Floyd on the team’s goals right now

“We have to focus on the first game ahead of us. We can’t be so involved in the larger scheme that we miss the little details. Something that we’ve been talking about and focusing on is taking one step at a time, focusing on how we can improve every practice.” – Offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa on how the team is approaching earning bowl eligiblity

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

There were no changes to the official depth chart this week. That’s been the norm more often than not, with only significant injuries causing major fluctuations in the most recent updates. Now, who is actually going to play versus who is listed as the starter could be another question entirely. That’s something that might come down to kickoff in some cases, with most being able to sort out by the end of the week.

Make sure you read our Thursday practice report, reserved for subscribers, for the latest on the Rice football quarterback situation as well as other key injury notes and updates. Bloomgren has already announced he does not expect running back Juma Otoviano or tight end Elijah Mojarro to be available this week.

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

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Rice Football 2023: UTSA presser quotes and depth chart

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Rice football visits UTSA this week. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup at hand 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 SMU game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with UTSA.

Listen Now: The Roost Pod – Breaking down Rice Football vs SMU

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

“There was the holding call that was crtiical. There were a couple fouls on defense that kept drives alive and that were after the whistle type plays that are just things that we have to clean up if we want to be a championship level football team. When the margins are so small, you gotta have the discipline to not have the self inflicted wounds.”– Mike Bloomgren on what the team learned from the SMU game

“I thought our win against Houston was phenomenal. I thought that was a great step. Now, how do we do it in our conference against the top teams in our conference? We played three [great teams] in a row. How do we find a way to make that play in the fourth quarter? Because we’re pushing teams to deep water. We’re doing things, we’ve never been able to do and certainly wouldn’t be able to do in the past but they starting quarterback going down. ” – Mike Bloomgren on the growth of the team

“They play a three-four defense that’s going to build a wall. And they make everything incredibly hard to run the ball and then they play it top down with their cover four behind it. When you do that, it hard for an offense. Now their offense, they’re going to be that downhill run team and they’re going to take some shots. They’re going to line up and have Frank [Harris] just make plays. ” – Mike Bloomgren on on UTSA

“The biggest thing for me is just that chemistry. I feel like chemistry is a big thing between quarterbacks and receivers and I feel like I got that pretty early with Chase [Jenkins] and AJ [Padgett is from my area, so we were throwing in the summer when we weren’t up here. So we definitely got some chemistry in that, and just having guys who can throw the ball back there, like they can, it’s just great. It’s great to have. ” – Wide receiver Landon Ransom on his relationship with the Rice quarterbacks

“I can’t tell you how many conversations Daveon [Hook] and I have had about — ‘When we’re seniors, when we’re playing, this is how we’re going to do it.’ It’s really cool to be on the field with Daveon and Plae [Wyatt], Plae’s a character too. Getting to be on the field with him and his energy, it’s awesome, especially just thinking back to a year ago when me and Daveon were on scout team just doing our best to wreck havoc for the offensive guys. Now being able to do it in an actual game, it’s really a blessing and I feel really lucky to be able to be on the field with them.” – Safety Tyson Flowers on the comradery in the secondary 

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

The offensive depth chart doesn’t look any different this week, with a very important caveat. The status of JT Daniels for this game is not certain, “doubtful” in Bloomgren’s own words. Make sure you read our Thursday practice report, reserved for subscribers, for the latest on the Rice football quarterback situation heading into the UTSA game.

As for the defense, the depth chart does have a few changes, most notably the removal of Chris Conti after he suffered an injury prior to last Saturday’s game against SMU. Taking his place at the starting linebacker spot is DJ Arkansas, who had already been being utilized in a few packages over the past few weeks.

Demone Green has supplanted Van Heitmann as the primary backup to Coleman Coco and Jsoh Pearcy remains listed atop the other side. We’ll have more updates on his status later in the week as well. Ditto for the free safety spot, where Gabe Taylor has been given an OR designation to reflect his questionable availability.

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