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Rice Football Recruiting: Offensive lineman John Long commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class has landed its second commitment in a week. Offensive lineman John Long has committed to the Owls.

Intellectual Brutality is at the core of the Rice football recruiting philosophy. The desire to win in the trenches led to the first commit of the 2021 class, offensive lineman Faaeanuu Pepe. Ethan Onianwa was the next offensive lineman to join the fold. The Owls added their third big man up front today with the commitment of Lampasas guard John Long.

Long commits to Rice football just three days removed from his first official offer. Long was offered on Oct. 11 and pulled the trigger soon after, committing on Oct. 14. He’s the second member of the 2021 class to commit within a week of receiving his offer from the Owls. Wide receiver Peyton Stevenson committed one week following his offer in mid-September.

Long chose Rice football over offers from UCF, Tulane and North Texas. Beating out a Conference USA peer and two prominent AAC programs is notable for the Owls who continue to raise their recruiting profile as they bring in waves of new talent with each successive recruiting class.

Premium: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Long looks the part of a people mover in the offensive trenches. He marks the 15th commitment in the 2021 Rice Football recruiting class, the third on the offensive line and the seventh offensive commit.

Long is a powerful off the line of scrimmage, capable of pushing defenders around. For a big guy, he’s fairly fleet of foot, pulling from the line and getting out in front as a lead blocker in space. He creates massive holes in the running game, something Rice running backs will appreciate when they have the opportunity to run behind his pads.

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Conference USA Football: Championship game moved to Dec. 18

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The 2020 Conference USA Football championship game has been moved to Dec. 18, a two-week delay to allow the conference scheduling flexibility.

In an announcement that seemed several weeks in the making, the Conference USA football championship game will be delayed two weeks. The game was initially scheduled to take place on Dec. 5, but will now take place on Dec. 18. Per the league office, it will be televised at 6 p.m. CT and be hosted by the team with the highest league winning percentage.

In their release, Conference USA cited scheduling flexibility as a driving force for the change.

The shift of the Championship Game from its originally scheduled December 5th date will create two additional weeks to schedule games that were postponed due to COVID-19-related issues.  Dates and matchups for those re-scheduled games will be announced at a later date.

More: Week 6 Conference USA Football Roundup

It should be noted the conference opted to delay the game two weeks rather than one. This gives two additional weekends to play games. There have been multiple league games already postponed and one team, FAU, had already scheduled a game for Dec. 5 prior to the conference formally moving the championship game. The Owls are slated to take on Georgia Southern on that date, a makeup of a game postponed earlier in the year.

For Rice Football, this move allows for two additional weeks on the back end of the current schedule. I expect a rescheduling of the UAB to be among the Owls’ most pressing items, completing a full C-USA West schedule.

There’s also a chance the Bayou Bucket game against Houston is rescheduled later in the year. Houston is tentatively free on Dec. 5. One would assume conference games would be the priority, but if those are played as scheduled don’t rule an intra-city matchup between the Owls and Cougars this fall.

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Rice Football 2020: Owls in the NFL Week 5 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 5.

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

Week 5 results

Cleveland (Sendejo) def. Indianapolis, 32-23
Baltimore def. Cincinnati (Covington), 27-3
Denver (Anderson, Callahan) vs New England, postponed
Pittsburgh (Boswell, McDonald) def. Philadelphia, 38-29
Houston (Gaines) def. Jacksonville, 30-14
Seattle (Willson) def. Minnesota, 27-26
Detroit (Fox) — BYE

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OT, Broncos

The Broncos thought they were playing the Patriots in Week 5 and the Dolphins in Week 6. Neither of those things came to pass. A positive COVID-19 test in New England delayed the DEN-NE game to next weekend with Denver receiving an unexpected off weekend. The Broncos will now visit the Dolphins in Week 6.

Vance McDonald – TE, Steelers

McDonald caught the only pass thrown to him in Week 5, hauling in the four-yard reception which contributed to a 14-play, 62-yard drive which ended in the Steelers’ first touchdown of the day against the Eagles. McDonald has at least one reception in each of Pittsburgh’s first four games. The Steelers host the Browns in Week 6.

Luke Willson – TE, Seahawks

Willson continues to see most of his action on special teams. Through the first five weeks of the 2020 season, 77 percent of his snaps have come on special teams with just a handful of plays run with the offense. The Seahawks are on a bye in Week 6.

Defense and Special Teams

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was busy on Sunday with the Steelers scoring early and often against the Eagles. Boswell had at least one extra point made in each of the four quarters, five in total, and converted his lone field goal attempt of 41 yards. The Steelers host the Browns in Week 6.

Bryce Callahan – CB, Broncos

The Broncos thought they were playing the Patriots in Week 5 and the Dolphins in Week 6. Neither of those things came to pass. A positive COVID-19 test in New England delayed the DEN-NE game to next weekend with Denver receiving an unexpected off weekend. The Broncos will now visit the Dolphins in Week 6.

Christian Covington – DL, Bengals

Covington had three tackles in the Bengals’ Week 5 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He tied Amani Bledsoe and Sam Hubbard with the most tackles among Cincinnati’s defensive linemen. The Bengals visit the Colts in Week 6.

Jack Fox – P, Lions

The Lions were off in Week 5, but Jack Fox still leads the NFL in net punting and average. Detroit visits the Jaguars in Week 6.

Phillip Gaines – CB, Texans

Gaines did not record a tackle but was active in coverage against the Jaguars in Week 5, Houston’s first win of the season. The Texans visit the Titans in Week 6.

Andrew Sendejo – Saf, Browns

Sendejo had four tackles in the Browns’ Week 5 victory over the Colts. He’s had four or more tackles in four of his five games this season. The Browns visit the Steelers in Week 6.

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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2020 Rice Football Schedule: How to watch, tv channels and broadcast info

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The broadcast lineup for the 2020 Rice football schedule is as up in the air as the season itself. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the Owls.

Every game of the Rice Football schedule in 2020 should be available to watch either through a local cable provider or some sort of streaming service. This guide will have the most up to date information for all of the Owls’ broadcasts, so be sure to bookmark it and refer back every Saturday.

Basketball update

Most of the currently scheduled Rice men’s and women’s basketball games will air on ESPN+. It is a separate, stand-alone streaming service from ESPN3. This streaming-only service is not included in a basic cable subscription or any other ESPN offering. You can subscribe to ESPN+ here. They also offer seven day free trials at any time.

Radio

Rice Owls Voice JP Heath will be on the call for every Rice football game of the season. Listen to him here:

  • Sports Map 94.1 (FM)
  • Stretch Internet (Online)

TV Schedule

The original Rice football schedule featured games exclusively on ESPN3 or ESPN +. The list below will be updated as revised information is made available.

  • 10/24 – vs Middle Tennessee | ESPN3
  • 10/31 – at Southern Miss | ESPN3
  • 11/7 – vs UTSA | ESPN3
  • 11/14 – at Louisiana Tech | ESPN3
  • 11/21 – at North Texas | ESPN3
  • 11/28 – vs UTEP | ESPN3
  • 12/5 – at Marhsall | ESPN+
  • 12/12 – vs UAB | ESPN3

Get to know the Owls’ Opponents

Profiles on every opponent on the 2020 Rice Football schedule as well as all Conference USA peers, including key conference games to watch and storylines across Conference USA are featured in our 2020 Rice Football Season Preview, available for purchase now.

How to watch

ESPN+ is a separate, stand-alone streaming service from ESPN3. This streaming-only service is not included in a basic cable subscription or any other ESPN offering. You can subscribe to ESPN+ here. They also offer seven day free trials at any time.

ESPN3 is available with all major cable providers and can be streamed on the ESPN mobile device or online. Access the streaming service here.

Possible Alternates

CBS SN (Channel Information | DirecTv 221, Dish 158, AT&T Uverse, 643, Xfinity 106). This is not the same as CBS. Depending on your cable provider, it might require a subscription beyond the basic package.

Stadium will broadcast through Facebook for this year’s game with no tv broadcast component. You can find the Stadium page on Facebook here.

Game Previews

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Memphis

Posted: October 26, 2025

Rice football hosts Memphis on Halloween in a nationally televised matchup. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Both Rice football and Memphis posted thrilling come-from-behind wins in their most recent games. The Owls rallied to defeat UConn in double overtime, while the Tigers scored 17 unanswered fourth quarter points to beat South […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: UConn

Posted: October 19, 2025

Rice football is off the bye, readying to host UConn this week in the Owls’ final non-conference game. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Rice football returns to the gridiron this Saturday for an extended stretch of home games following a much-needed bye week on bye after a one-sided rout at the […]

Rice Football

Know Your Foe: Rice Football vs UTSA

Posted: October 10, 2025

UTSA is next up on the 2025 Rice football schedule so we’re going behind enemy lines with Roadrunners’ insider Jared Kalmus from The Alamo Audible. Roadrunners’ insider Jared Kalmus was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions about the upcoming matchup between Rice Football and UTSA. The answers below should shed some […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: UTSA

Posted: October 5, 2025

Rice football travels to San Antonio this weekend to take on the UTSA Roadrunners. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Both Rice football and it’s Week 7 opponent, UTSA, are coming off disappointing losses suffered last weekend to teams sporting Owl mascots. Rice fell at home to Florida Atlantic while UTSA stumbled […]

Rice Football

Know Your Foe: Rice Football vs FAU

Posted: October 3, 2025

FAU is next up on the 2025 Rice football schedule so we’re going behind enemy lines with Owls’ insider Garon Bach from The Owl Nest. Owls’ insider Garon Bach was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions about the upcoming matchup between Rice Football and FAU The answers below should shed some […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: FAU

Posted: September 28, 2025

Rice football looks to rebound at home this week when they host Florida Atlantic. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Both Rice Football and their Week 6 opponent head to Houston following a loss. Rice fells in Annapolis, MD to Navy while Florida Atlantic dropped their most recent game at home against […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Navy

Posted: September 21, 2025

Rice football heads to Navy with first place in the American Conference standings up for grabs. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Navy was idle this week. Rice football was anything but. The Owls stole the national spotlight on Thursday, cruising to victory over Charlotte on the road on ESPN to improve […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Charlotte

Posted: September 14, 2025

Rice football is looking to kick off conference play with a win against Charlotte. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Both Rice football and Charlotte played FCS opponents last week and trailed in the first quarter against their respective foes. The Owls caught fire and rolled to a comfortable victory over Prairie […]

Rice Football Game Preview

Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Prairie View A&M

Posted: September 7, 2025

Rice football is looking for their first home win of the 2025 season when they host Prairie View A&M. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more. Both Rice football and Prairie View A&M are coming off in-state losses suffered on their home turf. The Owls dropped a rivalry game to Houston, ceding the […]

Rice Football

Know Your Foe: Rice Football vs Houston

Posted: September 5, 2025

Houston is next up on the 2025 Rice football schedule so we’re going behind enemy lines with Coogs’ insider Sam Razz from the Scott and Hollman Pawdcast. Coogs’ insider Sam Razz was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions about the upcoming matchup between Rice Football and Houston. The answers below should […]

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Rice Football Recruiting: JUCO DL AJ Sargent commits to Owls

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The 2021 Rice Football recruiting class has picked up its first JUCO addition. Defensive lineman AJ Sargent has committed to the Owls.

The summer is in the books and Rice football is in the home stretch for its 2021 recruiting class. The early signing period is two months away and its time for Rice, and their peers to begin finishing up their classes. Rice has already turned some of its attention to offers for the 2022 class ($).  Rice entered October with a Top 5 class in Conference USA and 13 commitments from high school recruits.

On Saturday they added their first junior college player to the fold. Coffeyville C.C. defensive lineman AJ Sargent has committed to the Owls. Rice offered Sargent in September. The Owls’ primary competition for Sargent was an offer from Missouri State.

Sargent will provide a much-needed injection of talent on the interior of the defensive line where numbers have grown a bit thin. De’Braylon Carroll is the Owls’ only interior defender with meaningful game experience that won’t be a senior this coming fall. Adding someone who can contribute quickly will be a big building block for this class.

Premium: 2021 Rice Football Recruiting Offer and Commitment Tracker

Beyond what he can do in the fall of 2021, Sargent is expected to enroll early. He’ll be on campus for the upcoming semester, ensuring he’ll be available for spring practice next February/March. Getting transfers on campus early is always a plus. Head coach Mike Bloomgren acknowledge its benefits multiple times this spring when grad transfer Mike Collins saw his first action on the field with the Owls.

For Sargent, it only takes one quick glance through the film to see how impactful he could be at South Main. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound tackle sheds blockers quickly and has great pursuit. Having him and Carroll along the same front could prove to be a powerful combination for the Owls in the trenches.

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