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Rice Football 2024: Memphis Game Week Practice Report

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Rice football returned to the field with one focus: beating Memphis. Here’s what we learned from the Owls at practice this week.

Once again, it was hard to find space around the Rice football facility this week that didn’t have a “Beat Memphis” sign on full display. The Owls implemented a similar tactic against Navy last week and found success. Work has been put in the field, too. Here’s where the team stands prior to the Memphis game this weekend.

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Rice Football 2024: Memphis presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: Memphis. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Navy game and then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Memphis.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Memphis

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“It makes the next week a lot more fun I know that. It was great to celeberate as a team in the locker room afterward and to see the smiles on everyone’s faces, mine included. You want to take that momentum and you want it to propel you into the next week and go play, and play hard. I think anytime you play well there’s a sense of belief in your ability to go do it again. I think that’s obviously what you’d hope the reaction is. To be rewarded for your hard work is always a great thing. They were rewarded for their hard work. We’ll take that into this week and see if we can’t do it again.” – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the impacy of the Navy win

“You’ve got a guy that’s been there for four years, okay… He’s the only FBS starter that’s stayed at the same school [for four years]. Everybody else, the longterm starters in FBS, have all bounced around. This guy stayed right there. The leadership, the confidence he has in running the offense, being able to keep the play alive while still focusing his eyes down field… His ability to keep the play alive and still scan the field downfield and find receivers is a great trait.” – Interim head coach Pete Alamar on Memphis quarterback Seth Henningan

“Fast. Physical. Want to play on your side of the line of scrimmage. They’ll feed off their energy up front. I think their front creates a lot of big plays for them, creates energy. And then you’ve got secondary that can run with anybody. No matter how you line them up, if they can do that then that creates a challenge for you.”– Interim head coach Pete Alamar on the Memphis defense

“I think we did well. There’s also some things left out there, too, a couple missed tackles, a couple of plays where we lacked some eye discipline. I still think we have a lot on the table. Our coaches hold us accontable every week. We know our goal is to be the best defense in the country and I think we’re making steps towards their goal but we haven’t had that perfect game yet and that’s the scariest part. I think we have so much more we can do as a defense.” – Safety Peyton Stevenson of the play of the defense 

“It doesn’t really change, who our opponent is. Our opponent is Memphis this week, so we’re focused on them and picking those guys apart however we can. I know that our coaches are going to come up with a good plan and EJ [Warner] is going to have something for us to do. Obviously we go into every game feeling confident. That’s what it’s about.” – Wide receiver Thai Bowman on the team’s approach against Memphis

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

There were no official depth chart changes this week, which is understandable given the short week and the changes the program has gone through in recent weeks. That said, there are a few differences between the two-deep above and the lineup Rice football has trotted out in practice this week as they prepare for Memphis.

If you haven’t yet, subscribe on Patreon to get access to our practice notes later in the week as well as a behind-enemy-lines report from folks who know the Memphis program well.

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Rice Football 2024: NFL Owls Week 9 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2024 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 9.

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) This Week Result Next Week
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) at Packers W, 24-14 at Texans (SNF)
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) at Vikings L, 21-13 vs Bills
Jacksonville Jaguars Austin Trammell (WR) at Eagles L, 28-23 vs Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		 — BYE —  — at Commanders
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Rams L, 26-20 (OT) — BYE —
Washington Commanders Luke McCaffrey (WR) at Giants W, 27-22 vs Steelers

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson and the Steelers were on bye in Week 9.

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

As has been the case all season, McCaffrey played at least a third of the Commandres’ snaps on offense. This time, though, he was not targeted in the passing game and did not record a reception. That’s just the third time as a pro he’s gone without a catch.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson caught one pass for 22 yards against the Vikings on Sunday. It was his second-longest reception of the season, trailing only a 40-yard catch in Week 3 against the Bears.

Austin Trammell – WR, Jaguars

Elevated to the gameday roster for the first time this season, Trammell wasted no time getting involved. He caught two passes for 40 yards and returned a pair of punts. His most impactful play came in the final moments when he hauled in a pass from Trevor Lawrence that put the Jags in the redzone.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was inactive for the Seahawks Week 9 game against the Bills. He’s been active for three of the Seahawks’ nine games so far this year.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox turned in another impressive performance in the Lions’ win over the Packers in Week 9, averaging 50 yards per punt on four kicks including a long ball that went 60 yards.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell and the Steelers were on bye in Week 9. Boswell has made 23-of-24 field goals this season.

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 details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football 2024 Game Preview: Memphis

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Can interim head coach Pete Alamar keep the good times rolling as Rice football hits the road to take on Memphis? How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

Rice football notched an unexpected prime-time win over Navy last Saturday, persevering through an expected afternoon kickoff that became an evening affair. In the meantime, Memphis was outgunned by UTSA, losing a shootout in the Alamo Dome. What will happen when the Tigers and Owls square off on Friday night?  Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between Rice and Memphis.

Kickoff time | 8:00 PM CT
Venue | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium – Memphis, TN
TV | ESPN2 (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Audio / Visual Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs Memphis on this week’s episode of the Blue and Gray Preview Show, kicking off live on Wednesday on the Rice Athletics YouTube channel. Look for a recap of the game on the site afterward as well as on The Roost Podcast, which should be released early next week.

Sizing up the contenders

Rice football had no choice but to focus on the game at hand following the dismissal of Mike Bloomgren. But with a win under their belts and some much-needed momentum, dreams of a bowl berth can be seen if you squint just a little bit. If Rice can get past Memphis, those fledgling hopes will be given real oxygen. 

For Memphis, they’ve still got a shot at a spot in the conference championship game, but it will necessitate a perfect finish to the regular season. A misstep this week against Rice or next week against UAB would doom a season with sky-high expectations before they ever reach their regular season finale against Tulane. 

Series History

All Time | Tied, 2-2
Last Five | Tied, 2-2
Last Meeting | Away 2012, Memphis won 14-10

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Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Warner – 188/303 (62.0 percent), 1573 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT /  Devillier 20/38 (52.6 percent), 137 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing | Connors – 112 carries, 623 yards (5.6 yards per carry), 8 TD / Jackson – 34 carries, 147 yards (4.3 yards per carry)
Receiving | Sykes – 49 receptions, 569 yards (11.6 yds/rec), 4 TD / Campbell – 22 receptions, 261 yards (11.9 yds/rec), 1 TD / Connors – 49 receptions, 329 yards (6.7 yds/rec), 1 TD
Tackles | Morris – 46, Taylor – 42, Fresch – 40
Pass Breakups | Fresch – 7, Ahoia – 6, Taylor – 5
Interceptions | Taylor/Flowers – 2, Williams/Mutombo – 1

Memphis Stat Notables

Passing | Henigan – 232/357 (65.0 percent), 2532 yards, 16 TD, 5 INT
Rushing | Anderson – 148 carries, 833 yards (5.6 yards per carry), 14 TD / Thomas – 41 carries, 267 yards (6.5 yards per carry), 6 TD
Receiving | Taylor – 46 receptions, 658 yards (14.3 yds/rec), 2 TD / Blankumsee – 34 receptions, 477 yards (14.0 yds/rec), 5 TD / Anderson – 39 receptions, 227 yards (5.8 yds/rec), 2 TD
Tackles | Martin – 73, Rubin – 55, Hudson – 47
Pass Breakups | Ross – 6, Rubin/Watts/Bell – 5
Interceptions | Ross – 2, Five others tied with one

Memphis X-Factor | Protect the football

Memphis has shown this season they can trade points with the best of them. The Tigers typically find a way to score when they get the football and they do so at a very high rate, but it’s what happens when the ball doesn’t go in the box that’s caused them issues.

Twice this season Memphis has failed to win the turnover margin: against Navy and against UTSA. They lost both games. In their other seven contests, Memphis is a combined +12 in turnovers and managed to win even their tighter contests simply by giving themselves a chance late to keep adding points.

A Memphis turnover means a drive with no points. With a defense that’s been as leaky as the Tigers have been this season, that’s simply not going to work. 

Rice X-Factor | Strike first

Whether it was the energy of an interim head coach or the sheer adrenaline of the moment, a different version of Rice football took the field against Navy this past weekend. The Owls staked themselves to a 17-0 lead before Navy had a chance to return fire. Scoring more points than the other team is always the goal in this game, but for the Owls, getting the first shot appears to be more paramount than could have been previously imagined.

The Owls have been forced to play from behind all of their other games against FBS opponents this year. They found a way to get it done against UTSA, but barring another miraculous drive, that can’t be Plan A this coming weekend. When Rice demonstrated last week that when they are able to set the tone and play from the front they’re an entirely different kind of football team.

Memphis can score in a hurry and it might very well take more than a couple of touchdowns to upset the Tigers on their own turf. Rice needs to keep pace and to do that effectively, they absolutely have to set the tone with an early touchdown (or two).

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One Final Thing

For a moment, I thought about casting this game as one in which Rice football will be playing with proverbial house money. Nobody expects them to pull off another stunner and there won’t be any shame as they drop a road contest to the team picked to win the league in the preseason. 

However, what keeps coming back to me is a comment made by a subscriber following Saturday’s momentum victory over Navy. This was the team we expected to see in August. 

That version of Rice football never fully materialized for a litany of receivers we can unpack at the end of the season. But even without their head coach in place, those same players make up this team and they’ve shown the world what they’re capable of when things come together the right way.

Instead, this is a game full of opportunity. Who knows maybe a program that can knock off Navy and Memphis with an interim head coach has good enough bones to make a prospective head coach more intrigued than he otherwise might be? Maybe Rice football is a coach away from hitting its stride with a roster that’s bought in, regardless of the tumult around them.

It’s one game in a season that so far has largely been remembered for what hasn’t happened. But who’s to say they don’t have another stunner up their sleeves? It sure would make for a fun story. 

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 191 – Rice Football sinks Navy

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Led by an interim head coach, Rice football waded through a five-hour delay before taking Navy to deep water and emerging victorious.

The odds might have been stacked against them, but the players in that Rice football locker room didn’t seem phased when they met Navy as double-digit underdogs on a water-logged field late Saturday night. The Owls put together a complete showing from all three phases and rolled to a rather comfortable win against a Navy squad previously unbeaten in conference action. How did they manage such a feat and can they do it again?

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 191.

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite as is the Luv-Ya-Owls shirt. Make sure you check out the brand-new sailor hat (pictured below) as you shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

You can also grab the Luv-Ya-Owls shirt if you haven’t picked one up yet!

Homefield

Patreon

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Recapping Rice Football vs Navy

  • Five hour rain delay makes history
  • Defense delivers a dominant performance
  • Offense was effective and not flukey
  • Special teams contributed in big moments
  • So much of this felt repeatedable
  • What’s the outlook for the remainder of the season?

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.



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