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Rice Football Film Room 2020: UAB Review

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Rice Football wrapped up its shortened 2020 season with a home loss to UAB. This week’s film room digs into two key plays from that defeat.

Losing to UAB in frustrating fashion at home wasn’t the ideal end for this strange, abbreviated Rice football season. But I’ll say what I said both on The Roost Podcast and on Twitter: if you’d told me two weeks ago that Rice would split these last two games over Marshall and UAB, with one being a shutout win and the other a 5-point loss, and with Wiley Green playing more meaningful snaps than Mike Collins, I’d have taken it in a heartbeat.

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There’s no point, to me, in rehashing the plays that cost Rice the game. I still have full confidence in the future of this program (and belief in what this season would have been, minus a pandemic and some injuries), so let’s look at a few things that give us some optimism in the future, shall we?

Much of Rice’s fortunes for the immediate future will depend on whether or not Mike Collins returns for the 2021 season. But JoVoni Johnson is a factor at the quarterback position regardless, especially when you consider that the free pass of eligibility this year means he could play *four more years* at Rice, if both he and the program want him to.

Painting the corner

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Rice Football Recruiting: Grad transfer WR Tre Patterson commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football Recruiting class added another playmaker. Former New Mexico wide receiver Tre Patterson will transfer to the Owls.

It was a busy week for the 2021 Rice Football Recruiting class, which signed 18 players on the first day of the Early Signing Period. Even with the majority of their class complete, Rice wasn’t quite finished with their pre-Christmas additions. On Friday, the Owls landed a commitment from former New Mexico wide receiver Tre Patterson.

Originally from Crosby, TX, Patterson signed with New Mexico as a member of the Lobos’ 2018 recruiting class. He appeared in 20 games over three seasons, catching 15 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. That includes a long score of 62 yards (below) where he turned a short out into a breakaway touchdown.

Patterson will enroll midyear and be available this spring. He joins JUCO linebacker Desmyn Baker and prep school defensive lineman Jalen Hargrove as the early enrollees in the 2021 class. He’ll round out a strong group of pass catchers already that signed on Wednesday including wideouts Jayden Folmar and Peyton Stevenson as well as tight end Jaggar Hebeisen.

Subscribers can check out takeaways from the entire 2021 class so far, as well as breakdowns of the signees on offense and defense. As things currently stand, Rice should only have a few remaining spots when they get to National Signing Day in February. Most of the Owls’ next wave of incoming players are signed and ready to go.

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Patterson has good instincts to pair with his top-flight speed. Look at this scramble drill score (below). He breaks off his route when he notices his quarterback is in trouble then beats his man down the field for the score. Having someone that can make plays off script like this will go a long way at South Main.

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Rice Football Recruiting: Breaking down the 2021 signees – Defense

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The 2021 Rice Football Recruiting class has stocked with defensive talent at all three levels from a rangy secondary to powerful additions in the front seven.

Rice signed 18 players on the first day of the Early Signing Period. Of their new additions, 16 are current high school seniors. 11 of them play on the defensive side of the ball, the focal point of this update. Subscribers can check out this position by position breakdown of the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class.

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Defensive Line (4) – Cal Varner, Jalen Hargrove, Elroyal Morris, Blake Boenisch
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Rice Football 2020: NFL Owls Week 14 Stats Update

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Rice Football is well represented on 2020 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 14.

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

Week 14 results

Buffalo def. Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald), 26-15
Dallas def. Cincinnati (Covington), 30-7
Chicago def. Houston (Gaines), 36-7
Green Bay def. Detroit (Fox), 31-24
Denver (Anderson, Callahan) def. Carolina, 32-27
Washington def. San Francisco (Walter), 23-15
Baltimore (Willson) def. Cleveland (Sendejo), 47-42

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson drew the start for the Broncos against Carolina in Week 14. It was his second start of the season. He also was active on special teams. The Broncos host the Bills on Saturday in Week 15.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald was targeted twice in the Steelers’ Week 14 loss to the Bills but did not have any catches. The Steelers visit the Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 15.

Austin Walter – RB, 49ers

Walter was not active for the 49ers’ Week 14 game against the Washington Football Team. The 49ers visit the Cowboys in Week 15.

Luke Willson – TE, Ravens

Willson missed the Ravens’ Monday Night Football win over the Browns with an injury. The Ravens host the Jaguars in Week 15.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

For only the second time this season, Boswell did not attempt a field goal. He did convert his only extra point attempt of the day. The Steelers visit the Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 15.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan missed the Broncos’ Week 14 game against the Panthers after being placed on the injured reserve with a foot injury. The Broncos host the Bills on Saturday in Week 15.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington had two tackles in the Bengals’ Week 14 loss to the Cowboys. He’s maintained his starting role on the defensive line since taking over in Week 4. The Bengals host the Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 15.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted three times with a long of 52 against the Packers in Week 14. He still ranks among the NFL best in most every punting statistic and could make a bid for a Pro Bowl spot this season. The Lions visit the Titans in Week 15.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines did not travel to Chicago for the teams’ Week 14 game against the Bears. He was ruled out with a knee / shoulder injury. The Texans visit the Colts in Week 15.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo had two tackles in the Browns’ Monday Night Football loss to the Ravens. The Browns visit the Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 15.

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.

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Rice Football Recruiting: 5 Takeaways from 2021 Early Signing Period

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The first members of the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class signed this week, setting the stage for an exciting future at South Main.

The ink is starting to dry on the first day of the Early Signing Period and the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class is off to a great start. Rice signed 18 players, representing the majority of their scholarship additions to their 2021 class.

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This class isn’t done yet — there are still a few more weeks before National Signing Day in February — but as it currently stands, here are a few immediate reactions from a group that could end up being pretty special for the Owls.

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1. Ratings boost

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