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Rice Football Recruiting: 2022 JUCO RB Dean Connors commits to Owls

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While the team was on bye, the 2022 Rice Football recruiting class kept growing, picking up a commitment from JUCO running back Dean Connors.

The 2022 Rice football recruiting class is adding to the momentum the Owls have experienced on the football field entering their bye week. Fresh off two wins on the field, Rice scored another win off the field, securing a commitment from JUCO running back Dean Connors.

Rice was the first to offer the California product, making the ask official in mid-September. He visited campus for the first time during the Owls’ bye week and loved everything that he saw. “I really felt like I belonged,” he said, “[Recruiting Director] Alex Brown and the recruiting staff were beyond amazing and answered any questions that I had. The coaching staff made it clear they cared about me as a person and a player on the team, which really made it a driving factor in my decision to commit to Rice.”

Positionally, Connors’ commitment fills a gap in the backfield for Rice which did not sign any running backs in the 2021 class. With Jordan Myers in his last season of eligibility, Rice needed to get another productive option at the position. They’ve found that in Connors.

Connors is the fourth commitment on the offensive side of the ball, and the third skill position addition. Rice hasn’t received a pledge from an offensive lineman or a tight end in this class yet, instead, Connors will join quarterback commit AJ Padgett in the backfield and someday lineup alongside wide receivers Braylen Walker and Rawson MacNeill.

Premium: Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

It only takes a quick look through his highlights to see the explosiveness Connors brings to the field. His burst and ability to navigate traffic are impressive. When combined with his shiftiness and ability to change direction, there’s home run potential whenever he gets his hands on the football.

Connors mentioned above all else, “my team comes first and I’ll do anything it takes to win.” He can run, catch and break off the big play. He’ll be one more option in offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo’s growing arsenal of playmakers.

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Rice Football 2021: New faces emerge prior to UTSA game

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Rice football took full advantage of its bye week, evaluating the depth chart and prepping for UTSA. The latest from practice, here.

The bye week is in the books and it was a beneficial time for Rice football. The Owls got a little bit healthier and saw some new faces rise in the extra sessions. We could see a freshman debut this week and others move up the depth chart soon.

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For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Practice reports are reserved for our subscribers. If you want updates on how Rice football plans to deploy its quarterbacks, position battles, standouts, injuries and more, this is your go-to source. You can get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and special features like this one when you subscribe to our All-American Tier on Patreon today.

Scouting the “Opportunity Bowl” 

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Rice Football 2021: UTSA presser quotes, injury updates and depth chart

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Rice football returns to action this weekend against UTSA. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about it, injury updates and practice notes.

This is the first of a couple of updates coming this week as Rice football prepares to take on UTSA. We’ll include updates from head coach Mike Bloomgren’s midweek press conference, then dig further into the details on the depth chart and what the team looks like on the field headed into the weekend.

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The depth chart looks a decent amount different from where things left off against Southern Miss. There are a variety of reasons for that, and a couple of notable injury updates that coincide with some of those changes. This update will focus on those, with some more in-depth practice notes coming later in the week. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“It was a great week because we were able to get healthier. Nobody is healthy in Week 7 of the season. But, we got some guys back and they looked great. We also got some young guys some work…. So I would say it was a very good bye week. We got exactly what we needed out of it.” – Mike Bloomgren on the bye week

“I don’t know that our conference has seen a defense like this since maybe 2018 UAB. It is just a dominant group out there. It’s an old, veteran group. I think nine of their 11 starters are seniors or super seniors. They are a very good group. They’re very well-coached.” – Mike Bloomgren on the UTSA defense

“I think, with a win like this, people will really start to wake up and understand Rice is here to play. We didn’t ahve the best start to the season, but like we said whenever we started out first confernece game against Southern Miss, it’s a new season… our goals are still attainable.” – Jordan Myers on the significance of the UTSA game

“I got to rest my legs a bit and heal up some minor bruises. It was good to get off your feet for a couple days, but I’m excited to be back in this building and back to work. It got a little boring over the weekend, just not playing in the games, watching games on tv. I want to be out there right now, playing.” – Elijah Garcia on the significance of the UTSA game

Depth Chart

The Rice football depth chart looks slightly different after the bye week. Here’s how the two-deep the Owls will trot out against UTSA on Saturday.

Rice Football

Pitre poised for return

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 95 – Midseason Conference USA Roundup with Eric Henry

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Rice football was off this week, giving us the perfect opportunity to catch up with Eric Henry and discuss Conference USA at the midway point of the season.

Fresh off two consecutive victories, Rice football went into the bye week on a high note. While the Owls recharged and worked to get healthy, the rest of Conference USA whirled around and around. We were joined this week by Underdog Dynasty’s Eric Henry to help us uncover the real contenders and separate them from the pretenders.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 95.

Episode Notes

  • Housekeeping
    • Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice. Every little bit helps.
    • Check out the Blue and Gray Preview Show every Wednesday at Noon, hosted by Matthew and Rice radio broadcaster JP Heath on the Rice Athletics Youtube Channel
    • Please support us on Patreon. Be the first to get the inside scoop on what’s going on with Rice football and stick around for even further analysis. That includes updates from fall camp, practices and more.
      Become a Patron!
  • Conference USA midseason check-in 
    • Is 5-win UTEP for real?
    • Can Charlotte sustain their early success?
    • Who should be considered the front runner in the East? Is Marshall a year away?
    • UTSA and UAB are red-hot, who’s in the driver’s seat at the midseason mark?
    • How big of a threat is Western Kentucky?
    • Which teams have been the biggest surprises thus far?

Where can you find us?

Download and subscribe to The Roost Podcast on any of your favorite podcast providers. The show is available on iTunes, GooglePlay, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and PodBean. Please consider leaving a review wherever you listen.

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Rice Football 2021: NFL Owls Week 5 Stats Update

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Rice Football is well represented on 2021 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 5.

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

Team NFL Owl(s) Week 5 Result Week 6
Los Angeles Chargers Christian Covington (DL) at Seattle W, 47-42 at Baltimore
Denver Calvin Anderson (OL)
Bryce Callahan (CB)		 at Pittsburgh L, 27-19 vs Las Vegas
Pittsburgh Chris Boswell (PK) vs Denver W, 27-19 vs Seattle (SNF)
Detroit Jack Fox (P) at Minnesota L, 19-17 vs Cincinnati
Tampa Bay Nick Leverett (OL) vs Miami W, 45-17 at Philadelphia (TNF)
Indianapolis Andrew Sendejo (Saf) at Baltimore (MNF) L, 31-25 vs Houston

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson has appeared in all five of the Broncos games so far this season, exclusively playing on special teams. That meant three snaps for Anderson against the Steelers this past weekend.

Nick Leverett – OT, Buccaneers

Leverett remained inactive for the Bucs’ Week 5 game against the Miami Dolphins. He still awaits his first regular season snaps.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell converted both of his field goal attempts against the Broncos, including a long of 48-yards. He also added three extra points on three tries. He’s 8-of-9 on field goals so far this season.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan started his first game of the season this past weekend against the Steelers. He made a season-high three solo tackles with his first tackle for a loss and this big third-down stop:

Christian Covington – DL, Chargers

Covington tallied two tackles in the Chargers’ Week 5 win over the Browns, marking the fifth consecutive game he’s recorded multiple tackles.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox made history midway through the Lions’ Week 5 contest:

He would go on to attempt four punts, averaging 51 yards for the game on those kicks with a long of 67 yards, tied for the longest punt of his career.

Andrew Sendejo – S, Colts

Sendejo made two tackles against the Ravens on Monday Night Football before exiting the game after his second, a hit on Ravens’ receiver James Proche.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other 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.

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