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Rice Football Practice Notes 2020: What to look for after the off weeks

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Rice football has suffered back-to-back postponements. The bulk of the schemes will be the same, but improvements have been made over the last two weeks.

A lot can change in three weeks. That was true of Rice football from the start to end of fall camp. Players came in and out of the lineup, adjustments were made. This time Rice has the added benefit of live reps as a baseline.

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To be clear, I don’t expect seismic change when Rice takes the field next (hopefully on Saturday against North Texas). But there have been a few things over the last few weeks of practice that should look different, most of them for the better.

A breakout from the trenches

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 61 – Rice Football vs North Texas Preview

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Following two consecutive postponements, Carter and Matthew and look ahead at Rice football’s upcoming game against North Texas.

After playing two games, Rice football has suffered two consecutive postponements. The most recent lost game, which we reference briefly on this podcast, came against Louisiana Tech. The Owls will hope for better fortune this coming weekend against North Texas.

Carter and Matthew walkthrough the schedule as it’s current constructed and what contingencies are left for Rice. Then they look ahead at the game against North Texas and break down how Rice matches up with the Mean Green.

You can always find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 61.

Episode 61 Notes

  • Housekeeping — Don’t miss this opportunity to subscribe on Patreon. You’ll get practice reports, film room sessions, recruiting news and the latest analysis and updates on all things relating to Rice Athletics.
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  • Conference USA news and notes
    • Three C-USA games postponed already for the upcoming weekend
    • Rice and C-USA are running out of open dates for postponed games
  • Rice Football vs LA Tech postponed
    • Rice has now lost games against LA Tech and UTSA
    • Second postponement from a Rice opponent since the season began
    • Decision was announced on Thursday before the game
    • No clear indication on rescheduling plan
  • Rice Football vs North Texas game preview
    • More on Jason Bean, the presumed starter, in this week’s film room
    • Jaelon Darden leads the nation in touchdown receptions, despite only playing five games
    • North Texas run defense is attrocious. Could this be a breakout spot for Juma Otoviano or Khalan Griffin?

Where can you find us?

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Rice Football Film Room 2020: North Texas Preview

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Quarterback Jason Bean and the North Texas offense are the focal points in this week’s edition of the Rice football film room.

Last week felt like a bit of a Groundhog Day situation, didn’t it? At least we didn’t get all the way to Friday before losing the game this time, but it’s still no fun to have lost the chance to see this Rice team prove itself on the field for the second week in a row.

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On the bright side, at least we’re not in the same boat as North Texas fans. After a shootout win against MTSU on October 17th—the week before Rice’s season opener against the Blue Raiders—off weeks combined with a spate of cancellations and postponements have kept the Mean Green from playing for more than a month. So despite the late start and the loss of their last two games, Rice has still played two games since UNT played its most recent one. 2020, y’all!

Like a lot of teams in C-USA this year, the 2020 iteration of the Mean Green is an all-offense, no-defense squad (e.g., they’re 62nd in offensive SP+ and 117th in defensive SP+). Also like a lot of teams in C-USA this year, they’ve had a bit of a revolving door situation at QB. Jason Bean started their opener against Houston Baptist, was promptly replaced by Austin Aune, and then took back over during the MTSU game and led them to their comeback victory. It looks like we’ll see Bean as the starter on Saturday, so this edition of the Film Room will focus on him as the probable signal-caller.

More: Rice Football vs North Texas Game Preview

Regardless of who’s at QB, the Mean Green offense will revolve primarily around star senior receiver (and Houston native!) Jaelon Darden. Despite an unassuming 5-foot-9, 174-pound build, Darden has put up serious numbers this year. While the Mean Green have played only five games, Darden is in the top ten in the country in receiving yards and leads all of FBS with a whopping 10 receiving TDs. He single-handedly accounts for 40.7% of the team’s total receiving yards and 43% of their total receptions.

One, if by air

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Rice Football 2020 Practice Notes, Presser Quotes and the next men up

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After another postponement, Rice football is ready to take the field again, hopefully as soon as this weekend against North Texas. Here are the latest practice notes and press conference quotes.

Rice football is two weeks removed from their most recent football. Oddly enough, the Owls’ first game against Middle Tennessee was the week following a matchup between North Texas and Middle Tennessee. The Mean Green haven’t returned to the field since.

Owls’ head coach Mike Bloomgren met with the media today to share some of his thoughts on the game ahead.

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There is a lot of encouraging news on the injury front. Bloomgren said the team didn’t have “many people left to get healthy.” That should include a few starters returning to the field soon as well as a practice sighting on the offensive side of the ball. Injuries and depth chart fluidity has afforded several players additional opportunities. We’ve also got some notes on a few guys that have stepped up in the interim.

Press Conference Quotes

“We want to make this the most exclusive offer in the country… one out of every four offers is committed to you or signing with you, we feel good about that because we get a chance to really develop real relationships, get to know the parents, the families and otherwise.” – Director of Recruiting Alex Brown on the upcoming 2021 class

With the way we prepare and with our process and what it’s all about, I don’t know if I’m real excited about those possibilities… I really would like more than 48 hours of notice that you saw UCLA and Cal last week. I certainly think that that would cause a lot of coaches in this building not to sleep for 48 hours. But hey, we’ll make it work if that’s the case. We want to play a game. And right now, we’re certainly planning on playing Seth Littrell and North Texas.” – Mike Bloomgren on the possibility of last-minute scheduling changes

“I think they probably found their guy in Jason Bean, and he’s the one that we’re going to prepare to stop. If Austin [Aune] jumps in there, their offense won’t change too much. They’re still going to try to find number one Jaelon Darden, and they should.” – Bloomgren on the North Texas offense

Who’s back and who’s not

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Rice Football 2020: NFL Owls Week 10 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 10.

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

Week 10 results

Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) def. Cincinnati (Covington), 36-10
Cleveland (Sendejo) def. Houston (Gaines), 10-7
Las Vegas def. Denver (Anderson, Callahan), 37-12
Detroit (Fox) def. Washington, 30-27

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

Anderson was listed as the starter for the Broncos’ Week 10 game against the Raiders. It was his first start since joining the team last season. The Broncos host the Dolphins in Week 11.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald missed the Steelers’ Week 10 game after being placed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list. The Steelers visit the Jaguars in Week 11.

Austin Walter – RB, 49ers

Walter got into the second half of the 49ers Week 10 loss to the Saints. He carried the ball once for three yards. He also caught a short screen pass and burst through the line for a 27 yard gain. The 49ers are on bye in Week 11.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was busy in the Steelers’ Week 10 win over the Bengals. He converted three extra points and three field goals, including a long of 45-yards. It’s the first time this season he’s attempted at least three field goals in a game. He’s a perfect 11-for-11 on the season. The Steelers visit the Jaguars in Week 11.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

Callahan was credited with three tackles and one pass defensed in the Broncos’ Week 10 loss to the Raiders, but his impact on the game was evident from the start.

He was the only Broncos’ defender to register a pass deflection. The Broncos host the Dolphins in Week 11.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington picked up two tackles in the Bengals’ Week 10 loss to the Steelers. He’s now had multiple tackles in seven of nine games this season. The Bengals visit the Washington Football Team in Week 11.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox handed in another impressive performance in Week 10. He punted four times, pinning three of them inside the 20-yard line including a long of 51 yards. The Lions visit the Panthers in Week 11.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines did not play in the Texans’ Week 10 loss to the Browns. The Texans host the Patriots in Week 11.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo had three tackles in the Browns’ Week 10 win over the Texans. The Browns host the Eagles in Week 11.

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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