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The Roost Podcast | Ep 65 – Rice Football vs UAB Preview

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Rice football is fresh off a landmark win over UAB. Can the Owls finish strong this week against UAB? We break it down on the show.

It was a weekend to remember for Rice football. The Owls upset No. 15 Marshall on the road, blanking the Thundering Herd 20-0 in their own stadium for the first time in program history. It was so monumental we broke out an emergency edition of The Roost Podcast immediately following the win. Make sure you check out that one here.

This show we’ll look ahead at the task at hand. Rice football is scheduled to host UAB on Dec. 12 in their final game of the regular season. We preview Owls vs Blazers and recaps the latest happening in Conference USA.

You can always find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 65.

Episode Notes

  • Housekeeping — Don’t miss this opportunity to subscribe on Patreon. There’s a lot more in store for this football program, including the Early Signing Period next week. Get the scoop on the Owls’ 2021 class and more now.
    Become a Patron!
  • Conference USA news and notes
    • Marshall gets into C-USA Championship Game by default
    • C-USA stricken with cancelations again
    • UTSA fans rooting for Rice to beat UAB
  • Rice Football vs UAB preview
    • What’s at stake in this game for Rice?
    • What do we expect to carry over for Rice from the Marshall win?
    • Expectations for both sides of the ball against the Blazers
    • Bowl season: what the postseason picture could look like for the Owls with a win

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 2020: NFL Owls Week 13 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 13.

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

Week 13 results

Washington def. Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald), 23-17 (Mon)
Miami def. Cincinnati (Covington), 19-7
Cleveland (Sendejo) def. Tennessee, 41-35
Indianapolis def. Houston (Gaines), 26-20 
Detroit (Fox) def. Chicago, 34-30
Kansas City def. Denver (Anderson, Callahan), 22-16
Buffalo def. 49ers (Walter), 34-24 (Mon)
Baltimore (Willson) def. Dallas, 34-17 (Tues)

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson saw his usual action on special teams with the Broncos on Sunday night against Kansas City. He’s played in all 12 of the Broncos’ games this season. The Broncos visit the Panthers in Week 14.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald was active for the Steelers’ Monday Night Football game against the Washington Football Team but did not receive any touches in the passing game. The Steelers visit the Bills in Week 14.

Austin Walter – RB, 49ers

Walter did not see action in the 49ers’ Week 13 loss to the Bills. The 49ers host the Washington Football Team in Week 14.

Luke Willson – TE, Ravens

Willson saw action in his second game with the Ravens this week, catching the only pass thrown his way for 12 yards. The Ravens host the Browns on Monday night Football in Week 14.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was added to the Steelers’ injury report late in the week with a hip injury that would eventually cause him to miss the Steelers Monday Night Football game against the Washington Football Team. Practice squad signee Matthew Wright kicked in his place. The Steelers visit the Bills in Week 14.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan went on the injured reserved after suffering a foot injury in a game against the Saints in Week 12. He did not play against the Chiefs this week. The Broncos visit the Panthers in Week 14.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington made his ninth consecutive start on Sunday against the Dolphins, registering one tackle. The Bengals host the Cowboys in Week 14.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox only punted three times in the Lions’ Week 13 win over the Bears. He pinned one kick inside the 20 and had another returned to the 20-yard line. His long for the day was 45 yards. The Lions host the Packers in Week 14.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines played almost every defensive snap for the Texans this week in their loss to the Colts. He had six tackles and his first pass deflection of the season. The Lions visit the Bears in Week 14.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo led the Browns with eight tackles on Sunday, including seven solo stops. That was the most tackles he’s registered in a game since the Browns’ Week 2 win over the Bengals. The Browns host the Ravens on Monday Night Football in Week 14.

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 Film Room 2020: Marshall Review

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Rice Football shocked Marshall last Saturday, shutting out the Herd in their own house. We take a look at how it happened in this week’s film room.

HOW ‘BOUT THEM OWLS, Y’ALL? I hope you’re all still riding as high as I am after a potential program-defining win for this team and coaching staff. With apologies to my hometown Blazers, I’m devoting this week’s Rice Football Film Room to the Marshall win; for more on UAB, go check Matt and Taylor McHargue on Inside the Hedges tonight or tune into The Roost Podcast on Thursday.

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With Saturday’s win fueled by—surprise!—a dominant performance by the defense, we’ll focus on that side of the ball.

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Rice Football to allow fan attendance for UAB game

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Rice football will have fans in attendance for their final regular season game against UAB, scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 12.

For the first time in 2020, there will be a limited amount of fans in attendance for a Rice football home game. Circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 situation in Houston had led Rice to restrict general admission access at previously scheduled home games this year but the policy will be adapted for their final regular season game against UAB.

The Owls announced on Monday how admission and various details would be handled.

Release

“Seating will be arranged in a physically distanced manner with green tape marking available seats in each section and fans will be required to wear masks at all times. Hand sanitizer will be available at various locations throughout the stadium and common areas will be sanitized throughout the game.  Anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms will be denied admission to the stadium.

Rice football is coming off an upset victory over No. 15 Marshall on the road last weekend. The win marked the Owls first win over a ranked opponent since 1997. It was also the Owls’ first shutout of a ranked team since 1960.

The win netted the Owls national recognition as well. Rice shared Reveal Suits National Team of the Week honors wiry Coastal Carolina, the first time Rice has ever received the award. Linebacker Blaze Alldredge was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.

The Owls game against UAB is scheduled to kick off at noon central time on ESPN3. It would be the first home game for Rice since their season opener against Middle Tennessee, played on October 24. Attendance was limited to family in that contest. Previously scheduled home games against UTSA and UTEP were canceled.

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Rice Football 2020 Game Preview: UAB

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Rice Football is soaring after a landmark victory over Marshall. Can they finish strong and beat UAB? How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

Down their starting quarterback, starting running back, top wide receiver and a few starters on defense, Rice football walked into Huntington, WV last weekend and bludgeoned No. 15 Marshall in their own building. The resounding 20-0 win has Rice riding high entering their last scheduled game of an up-and-down 2020 season.

UAB just wants to play a football game. They’ve been idle since Halloween, following four cancelations.  Their last time out they lost a nailbiter to Louisiana Tech in double overtime.

Broadcast Info

Kickoff time | 12:00 PM CT
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, TX
TV | ESPN3 (Streaming)
Radio | Sports Map 94.1 (FM) / Stretch Internet (Online)

Audio Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs UAB on Episode 66 of The Roost Podcast which will be released on Thursday. Find us on the podcast page or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. (And consider leaving us a 5-star review while you’re at it.)

Visual Preview

Make sure you check out Inside the Hedges, a weekly show with myself and former Rice football quarterback Taylor McHargue. Watch it live on Wednesday nights here or watch it at your leisure on the Rice Athletics Youtube page.

Join the Conversation

What are your keys to victory this week? What pitfalls must the Owls avoid? Did you like that third down call? Share your thoughts on the matchup on the forum and make sure you tune in Saturday for our live game blog keeping track of every score and key moment.

Sizing up the contenders

This game has a lot riding on it for both parties. Fresh off their upset over Marshall, Rice football can clinch a winning record (3-2) with a win in what is likely to be their regular season finale. Going from 3-9 to 3-2 in the midst of a pandemic with a signature win would be definitive evidence the program is on the rise.

For UAB, the win would put them even with Rice at three wins, but more importantly, give them claim to the Conference USA West Division Title. As far as the tiebreakers stand right now, a 3-1 UAB would get in over a 5-2 UTSA based on winning percentage. With a loss, the Blazers fall to 2-2 and would finish behind Rice in the conference standings.

Series History

All Time | UAB leads 5-3
Last Five | UAB leads 3-2
Last Meeting | Away 2020, UAB won 35-20

Rice Stat Notables

Passing | Collins – 53/86 (61.6 percent), 802 yards passing, 10 TD, 1 INT
Rushing | Otoviano – 45 carries, 195 yards (4.3 yards per carry) | Griffin – 58 carries, 215 yards (3.7 yards per carry)
Receiving | Trammell – 16 receptions, 335 yards (20.9 yards per reception), 6 TD | Myers – 15 receptions, 147 yards (9.8 yards per reception)
Tackles | Alldredge – 42, Montero – 23, Garcia – 23
Pass Breakups/Interceptions | Calderon – 2 PBU / Six players tied with 1 INT

UAB Stat Notables

Passing | Lucero – 79/146 (54.1 percent), 969 yards passing, 7 TD, 8 INT
Rushing | Brown – 156 carries, 740 yards (4.7 yards per carry), 10 TD
Receiving | Watkins – 34 receptions, 468 yards (13.8 yards per reception), 3 TD | Mitchell – 26 receptions, 360 yards (13.8 yards per reception), 2 TD
Tackles | Moll – 47, Wilder – 42, Boler – 33
Pass Breakups/Interceptions | Marshall, Miller – 3 PBU / Six tied with one interception

UAB X-Factor | Take care of the football

Notwithstanding any rust they might have accrued over month long wait, holding onto the football will be paramount for the Blazers this Saturday. UAB is minus-three in turnover margin this year, but they’re carelessness with the football was significantly worse over the second half of their games compared to their start.

UAB committed four turnovers in their first three games, forcing six of their own for a plus-two margin. In their last four games, which includes all three of their C-USA contests, the Blazers have committed 11 turnovers while forcing just six of their own. They’re 2-2 over that stretch.

Rice just showcased what happens when opposing teams hand them extra mistakes and the Owls probably left points on the board against Marshall. UAB can’t afford to be sloppy.

Rice X-Factor | Win on third downs

For all the Owls did right in their upset of Marshall, they didn’t fair well on third down Rice converted 5-of-13 attempts, with their first successful conversion not occurring until the final two minutes of the first half. A fourth down conversion and a defensive touchdown helped them put enough points on the board, but the Owls’ base their success on being able to stay on the field and control the clock.

In 2019, Rice was 3-2 when converting at least 42% of their third down attempts. They’re 1-0 this year, representing their win over Southern Miss in which they converted 9-of-15 third downs (60 percent).

The offense has the potential to be significantly better, no matter what skill players take the field, if they can manage to extend drives. Converting on a few more third downs will ensure that happens.

Injury Report (Subscribers only).

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Need More?

The Roost’s 2020 Rice Football Season Preview has four pages dedicated to every opponent the Owls face. There are depth charts, important new arrivals and depth chart breakdowns for every team in Conference USA. Better yet, it’s not just speculation, each profile was created with insight from local experts who cover those teams day in and day out. Pick up your copy today and get four pages and more than 1,000 words on every foe.

Pick ‘Em Contest

If you haven’t yet, make sure you submit your entry for The Roost’s weekly pick’em challenge. Choose an answer to each of the six questions below and submit them on the forum thread to enter.

  1. How many turnovers will the Rice defense force?
    One or fewer / Two or more
  2. How many yards will the longest Rice scoring drive be?
    Over 59.5 / Under 59.5 
  3. Will there be a fourth down conversion by either team?
    Yes / No
  4. Which team completes more passes?
    Rice / UAB (or tie)
  5. Which teams score in the first quarter?
    Only Rice / Only UAB / Both teams score
  6. Who wins?
    Rice / UAB
  7. Bonus (3 pts)
    How many points does Rice score? (Must be exact)

One Final Thing

To some extent, it feels like Rice is playing with house money in this game. As long as they show up and put forth a respectable performance against the defending C-USA West Champions, the Owls will have done enough this season to prove they’re heading in the right direction.

But, if they do win, the ripple effect would be massive. A win against UAB would secure a 3-2 record, including wins over the two teams considered to be the best in the conference entering the year. They’d be one bad loss (North Texas) or one weird bounce (Middle Tennessee) away from outright clinching the West division, a 4-1 record would have been enough.

Way back when this was expected to be a normal 12-game season, going to a bowl game was the expectation. Coming one win away from playing in the conference championship game would have been widely considered a step beyond that. That’s what’s on the table for Rice against UAB.

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