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Rice Football 2024: USF presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: South Florida. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the UAB game and then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with South Florida. Additionally, it was announced that defensive coordinator Brian Smith was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant.

More: Rice Football to name Scott Abell 20th head coach

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

This week’s Senior Day. Not only is the last home game, but it’s out last game. There’s going to be a large group of seniors who are going to play the last football that they’ll ever play in their life… This game is a great game but at some point the game tells you its time to put your helmet up and you don’t get the chance to do it again. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on Senior Day

The last five weeks have been freaking awesome. I mean, it was a tough situation, you come in and replace a very good friend, but the opportunity to lead the guys that are in this program, to have a staff that has worked as hard as our staff, has been really cool. When you do something for 40 years, you build a lot of memories, but the last five weeks of memories will far outshine so many other ones. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on his experience as interim head coach

Obviously there’s a lot surrounding, but here’s the thing. You gotta look at where we’re at. We’re the 2024 Rice Owls. Anything that’s going around right now has to do with the 2025 and beyond Rice Owls. We need to compartmentalize that and remember that it’s our family. We’re going to talk about that today and how to deal with that and handle that… We’re going to quiet the noise and just go play and we’re going to enjoy every minute of it. Because you only get so many shots. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the noise surrounding the program right now

Love the process because results come and go. You can get discouraged if you put in all the work and you might not get the result, but the process is where you find the joy and it’s where you build the memories. It’s where you build the brotherhood that you’re going to have for the rest of your life. It teaches you the necessary lessons that you have to learn like showing up every single day, working together for a cause. Enjoying the process, what goes into the winning, is going to help you in all aspects of life. – Linebacker Chike Anigbogu on his advice to future Owls

It’s not just another game. I mean, it’s the last football game you might ever play. [You have to] make sure that you leave it all out on the field, leaving nothing behind, but definitely not changing up your process. There’s a reason we’ve all gotten to this point that we’re out now and if you try and change things up that usually doesn’t go well, so just continue with what you do but realizing that this game means a lot to a lot of people.- Running back Dean Connors on Senior Day

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

There were no changes to the two-deep this week. If you haven’t yet, this is a good reminder to subscribe on Patreon to get access to our notes later in the week pertaining to Saturday availability, the coaching search and more.

And in case you haven’t heard… Rice football has a new head coach! We broke the news here and reacted on the podcast here.

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

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Rice Football 2024: UAB presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: UAB. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the bye week and then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with UAB.

More: Rice Football Head Coaching Search — Names to Know ($)

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

A team who’s record does not reflect the type of football team they are. First of all, it’s always tough to win on the road but now you’re going there on their senior day… I know they’re a well-coached team. Coach Dilfer and his staff are going to have great gameplans up. You can see it on film, just looking at all three phases. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on UAB

I’ve had the chance to get to know Coach Dilfer a long time ago back on the West Coast. He’s a former Fresno State Bulldog that went into the league and then started really what became the Elite 11 stuff and all that. Trent is obviously a very good quarterback coach. He’s coached a lot of good young quarterbacks. He’s a guy that [was] an NFL player, was a pro-bowler of his own so you’ve got the opportunity to learn from that knowledge. I think any quarterback would appreciate that opportunity and I think you see that. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the UAB coach Trent Dilfer

You just watch how he’s grown just through reps and time on defense. You could see it coming last year. You knew there was going to be some good things down the road for him. You’ve got a young man that works hard, that prepares, takes the time. Coach [Jon] Kay has done a great job with him as his linebacker coach, just teaching him of playing the fine points of playing linebacker in our system. He shows up in the blitz game for us. I think active would be a great word to describe Ty, as far as seeing how he plays. He’s all over the place. He runs hard. He plays hard all the time. Those are good hallmarks for young linebackers. – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the growth of linebacker Ty Morris

He has a great arm. He has the ability to do extend plays. We just have to play top down on the back end, make him throw the ball. They have a pretty good group of skilled, explosive guys. If we’ll be able to stop the run, that’ll be a good thing for us. – Linebacker Ty Morris on the UAB offense

They’re a super athletic group. They love to fly around. They’re going to present a unique challenge as very new defense does and we’re going to have to rise to a level to beat that. – Tight End Graham Walker on the UAB defense

Depth Chart

Depth Chart Notes

Alamar was asked directly during his Tuesday media availability to comment on injuries and sidestepped the question, almost entirely. “We keep our injury stuff kind of to ourselves, for the most part,” he said. Offering this general, optimistic summary: “We’re in a fairly healthy mode.”

That attitude is reflected in the depth charts we’ve seen since Alamar took over. There have been no changes over the past three weeks. The only difference between this week’s depth chart and the Memphis depth chart is the removal of fullback Geron Hargon who is out for the year.

If you haven’t yet, this is a good reminder to subscribe on Patreon to get access to our practice notes later in the week, coaching search nuggets and an actual report of any players who might be in danger of missing the game this week based on participation this week.

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

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Rice Football 2024: Memphis presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: Memphis. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Navy game and then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Memphis.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Memphis

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

“It makes the next week a lot more fun I know that. It was great to celeberate as a team in the locker room afterward and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, mine included. You want to take that momentum and you want it to propel you into the next week and go play, and play hard. I think anytime you play well there’s a sense of belief in your ability to go do it again. I think that’s obviously what you’d hope the reaction is. To be rewarded for your hard work is always a great thing. They were rewarded for their hard work. We’ll take that into this week and see if we can’t do it again.” – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the impacy of the Navy win

“You’ve got a guy that’s been there for four years, okay… He’s the only FBS starter that’s stayed at the same school [for four years]. Everybody else, the longterm starters in FBS, have all bounced around. This guy stayed right there. The leadership, the confidence he has in running the offense, being able to keep the play alive while still focusing his eyes down field… His ability to keep the play alive and still scan the field downfield and find receivers is a great trait.” – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on Memphis quarterback Seth Henningan

“Fast. Physical. Want to play on your side of the line of scrimmage. They’ll feed off their energy up front. I think their front creates a lot of big plays for them, creates energy. And then you’ve got secondary that can run with anybody. No matter how you line them up, if they can do that then that creates a challenge for you.”– Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the Memphis defense

“I think we did well. There’s also some things left out there, too, a couple missed tackles, a couple of plays where we lacked some eye discipline. I still think we have a lot on the table. Our coaches hold us accontable every week. We know our goal is to be the best defense in the country and I think we’re making steps towards their goal but we haven’t had that perfect game yet and that’s the scariest part. I think we have so much more we can do as a defense.” – Safety Peyton Stevenson of the play of the defense 

“It doesn’t really change, who our opponent is. Our opponent is Memphis this week, so we’re focused on them and picking those guys apart however we can. I know that our coaches are going to come up with a good plan and EJ [Warner] is going to have something for us to do. Obviously we go into every game feeling confident. That’s what it’s about.” – Wide receiver Thai Bowman on the team’s approach against Memphis

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

There were no official depth chart changes this week, which is understandable given the short week and the changes the program has gone through in recent weeks. That said, there are a few differences between the two-deep above and the lineup Rice football has trotted out in practice this week as they prepare for Memphis.

If you haven’t yet, subscribe on Patreon to get access to our practice notes later in the week as well as a behind-enemy-lines report from folks who know the Memphis program well.



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

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Rice Football 2024: Navy presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: Navy. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Following the dismissal of head coach Mike Bloomgren on Sunday, interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the UConn game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Navy.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Navy

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

“To state the obvious, a few things have changed and transpired here in the last few days. I can tell you this, Mike Bloomgren, Coach Bloomgren, is one of my best friends. 18 months ago he sold me on a vision, a vision for Rice football and a vision for Rice University. And that’s why I’m here… I can tell you this, he gave his heart and soul for seven years to Rice University and Rice football. There isn’t anyone in this building who would tell you that it’s not better for having him here in that time.” – Pete Alamar on the state of the program

https://twitter.com/AtTheRoost/status/1851346426292257108

“Here’s what I know. I’ve been entrusted to lead this program for the next five weeks. And for me, all I’m concerned about is putting our guys in the best position they can to play fast, play free and have an opportunity to win games. Period. After that, it is what it is. I’m under no illusions. I’m not here to audition for the head job. I’m here to lead this program for the next five weeks and do the best job. I possibly can.” – Pete Alamar on being the interim head coach 

“When you’ve coached for a long time, you get to be around some really special dudes. What he did was phenomenally cool. I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had the Desean Jackson. I’ve had Ty Montgomery… I’ve had Christian McCaffrey… I’ve told this football team, that cat, right there, is as good as any kick returner I’ve had at hitting and getting. His first 25 is what makes him special because when he hits it, he hits it.”– Pete Alamar on kick returner Quinton Jackson

“I’ve been on teams here where we haven’t had success or reached the goals that we’ve had. I would argue that this is probably the most underachieving, given how he felt about this season going in, that we’ve had. I have never once for a second doubted the desire, the effort, the driving for wins that this team has shown. I’m more proud of the resilience of this team than any other team that I’ve been on. And there’s no doubt about that in my mind. That being said, through all the things that have happened in this season that didn’t go our way, not one time have I had to motivate a guy to get up. Not one time has that been a problem and that hasn’t been a problem through these last 48 hours which you would say has been a most-resiliency challenging situation.”  – Captain Izeya Floyd on the state of the team

“It means a lot, to be named with those talented players. I’m just blessed to be in this position and I’m grateful to have him as my coach…. Being recognized for that award, it’s not just me. It’s everybody on this team that helped me along the way.” – Kick returner Quinton Jackson on the praise from Alamar and being named AAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Given all the changes within the program this week it was unlikely there we significant changes coming to the official depth chart that is released on Tuesday. That was indeed the case, with the only difference reflecting sustained injury situations — an OR at the quarterback spot and the removal of JoVoni Johnson from the two-deep in favor of Owen Carter.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean everything will be congruous week to week once the team installs its game plan for Navy. For those updates, including the latest on the health of Warner and other key pieces, you’ll want to stay tuned to the practice notes later in the week reserved for subscribers.



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

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Rice Football 2024: UConn presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: UConn. 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 Tulane game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with UConn.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs UConn

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

“If you remember the fight scenes from Star Wars where the lasers are flying everywhere, that’s kind of what it looks like post snap on their defense. Coordinator does a great job… it looks like chaos to the offense, but it’s all really well planned and really well coordinated.” – Mike Bloomgren on the UConn defense

“EJ did not practice yesterday. We had all the imaging done Sunday and all the things match… imaging was exactly the same as it was prior when we had done it in the preseason… He feels a lot better today than yesterday.” – Mike Bloomgren on the status of QB EJ Warner

“I don’t know if we can count the other team to make more mistakes. We’ve got to be more violent in how we take the ball away and attack the ball, the second guy in ripping it out. We’ve had opportunities for multiple interceptions that we just haven’t completed. When the ball’s in both our hands, we’ve got to make those things go ” – Mike Bloomgren on forcing more turnovers

“Try not to get taken down. It’s one thing that my uncle used to always tell me playing football, you’re a bigger dude. Let them know it. Don’t get taken down by the first defender.” – Tight end Elijah Mojarro on his mindset after the catch

“Pressure and responsibility, I think it’s something to be grateful for, something to seek after because that means there’s opportunities and there’s different ways we can help other people.” – Defensive end Michael Daley on pressure and responsibility

“We’re a group of fighters. I think, one play in particular, that reminds me was the play that Mojo had a few weeks ago where he’s literally throwing defenders off him. I think that’s the culture and the environment that we’ve created here at Rice. Since we have guys that are going to fight through whatever we got going, regardless, if we’re down, regardless if we’ve lost. We’re all going to have that rice fight never dies, mentality.” – Defensive end Michael Daley on the team’s culture and minset

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Left tackle Ethan Onianwa returns to the depth chart this week which shifts Chad Lindberg to left guard. Trace Norfleet is listed as the starting right guard, but we’ll have more details on how the front five is likely to shake out in our practice notes later in the week. That will be especially important regarding the status of EJ Warner, which is up in the air even considering the good imaging news after he left the Tulane game with an injury on the Owls’ final offensive possession.

On defense, defensive tackle Elroyal Morris returns to the two-deep after being replaced by Aquantis Clemmons a week ago. Andrew Awe is listed as the starting Mike linebacker, a role that has seemingly bounced back and forth every other week between him and Ty Morris. Safety Tyson Flowers has shifted over to the Viper safety spot with Daveon Hook moving over to free safety. On the second team, corner AJ Stephens moves in front of Ephraim Dotson.



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