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Rice Football 2024: UTSA Game Week Practice Report

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Rice football is back in action this week against UTSA in search of a much-needed win. Here’s what we learned from the Owls at practice this week.

There was some good news on the injury front for Rice football over the bye week and lots of shifts and contortions with the depth chart as the Owls attempt to replace players still not able to participate and account for changing numbers in various position groups. Here’s where the team stands prior to the UTSA game this weekend.

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Running back ranks reset

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Rice Football 2024: UTSA presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: UTSA. Here’s what Mike Bloomgren had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Head coach Mike Bloomgren and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the Charlotte game and the bye week then looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with UTSA. Bloomgren announced during the press conference the team would be wearing the Luv-Ya-Blue throwback uniforms for the game.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs UTSA

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

“We’re coming back. We’re focused on UTSA. We understand the mission. We understand going 1-0 and that is really the singleness of focus we have right now is trying to find a way to beat UTSA a team that we haven’t beat since 2014. We are  putting everything we have into this week to give us our best chance. We know how well coached they are. I have all the respect in the world for coach [Jeff] Traylor. We know how talented they are. They’ve got great players. So do we.” – Mike Bloomgren on the team’s mentality coming off the bye week

“Thank God. McCown’s played good. He’s done some good things. He’s has moments where he looked really, really comfortable in that offense. They’re still UTSA’s offense… But again, them not having Superman back there is going to be nice. It’s not a knock on McCown, it’s just what Frank was able to do to us through the years.” – Mike Bloomgren on facing a UTSA offense without former star quarterback Frank Harris

“I think his growth is just continuing to get more comfortable in this system. The thing I still want from him is more input. What do you like? What do you not like? I ask him every week, ‘What’s your favorite things? What do you like in third down? Is there anything on the call sheet you don’t like? I think it’s easy for us as coaches to see how the X’s and O’s draw up, but ultimately what matters is what that kid knows and what he’s comfortable [with] and loves because it’s amazing when you take ownership of it how invested you are and how you just seem to make those things work when they’re your idea. We’re still reaching for that.” – Mike Bloomgren’s on the growth of Rice quarterback EJ Warner

“We take it personal when anyone gets close to EJ. We don’t want to give up any pressures, much less a sack. We feel like we’re talented enough and we’re a very talented unit. The expectation is to not let anyone close to him. That’s what we try to do every week.” – Offensive lineman Chad Lindberg on being top 10 in the nation in sacked allowed

“He’s probably the funniest coach I’ve ever head. Playing for him has probably been the best experience I’ve ever had in college football and I’ve played college football for a long time now, a long, long time. Obviously, [I’m] enjoying my time”” – Defensive lineman Michael Larbie on  defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

We’ve got a lot of changes to the depth chart this week, rooted primarily in a swath of injuries that have hit the roster over the last few weeks. First, we’ll start with two prominent players who were on the two-deep against Charlotte that are not on this iteration of the lineup card: tight end Boden Groen and tackle Ethan Onianwa. Their status for Saturday’s game remains up in the air. As always stay tuned to practice notes later in the week for the latest on that front.

Onianwa’s absence saw Chad Lindberg shifted from guard to tackle with Trace Norflett filling a spot in the interior. That’s how the team aligned against Charlotte and what should be expected if Onianwa is unable to go this week. At tight end, Elijah Mojarro had the big touchdown grab last week filling in for Groen. Graham Walker has been utilized in a pass catching role over the middle this season, too.

As for the defense, Aquantis Clemmons has leapfrogged Elroyal Morris in the interior of the line. Freshman Kaleb Blanton sees his name mentioned on a two-deep for the first time this season with the ever-evolving rotation at that position. Behind them, Tyson Flowers returns to the two-deep after missing the past two games with injury.

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Rice Football 2024: NFL Owls Week 5 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 5.

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) — BYE —  — at Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) at Jaguars L, 37-34 at Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		 vs Cowboys L, 20-17 at Raiders
New England Patriots Nick Leverett (OL) vs Dolphins L, 15-10 vs Texans
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Giants L, 29-20 vs 49ers
Washington Commanders Luke McCaffrey (WR) vs Browns W, 34-13 at Ravens

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson was signed to the Steelers’ 53-man roster last week and dressed for their Week 5 game against the Cowboys but did not see action.

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

McCaffrey caught three passes for 19 yards against the Browns in Week 5, tying a career-high of three catches in a game which he’d done on two other occasions to this point. He’s caught all 10 passes thrown his way in his NFL career so far.

Nick Leverett – OL, Patriots

Leverett made his first start of the season for the Patriots, playing every snap on offense. This comes a week after filling in midgame for an injury.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson wasn’t targeted in the passing game against the Jaguars but did contribute on special teams, making a tackle on punt duty.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams played on defense and special teams in the Seahawks’ Week 5 games against the Giants but did not record any statistics.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

The Lions were on bye in Week 5.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell connected on a 41-yard field goal and both of his extra point attempts in a rain-delayed Sunday Night Football contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The Boz has now made 12-of-13 field goals so far 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 detail on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football 2024 Game Preview: UTSA

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Rice football returns from the bye this week to take on UTSA. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

Both teams in this matchup have had two weeks to stew on disappointing results. Rice football lost a one-point game to Charlotte at home in their last contest before the break. UTSA didn’t fair much better, falling to ECU 30-20 on the road. Neither wants to add another loss to their respective ledger. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between Rice and UTSA.

Kickoff time | 6:00 PM CT 
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, TX
TV | ESPN+ (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Audio / Visual Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs UTSA 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 is in danger of being eliminated from bowl eligibility soon and doesn’t have much wiggle room to spare. Their next loss would be their fifth and half the season is still in the balance. On the other hand, a win over UTSA would be big for head coach Mike Bloomgren who has yet to beat the Roadrunners in his tenure on South Main.

Meanwhile UTSA sits in an intriguing lurch. They’ve taken a step back without quarterback Frank Harris at the helm, which can be forgiven, if not excused entirely. Yet that fan base and that program has no intentions of letting that skid turn into a slide. Getting back in the win column against Rice would alleviate some of those concerns that a free fall could be imminent. 

Series History

All Time | UTSA leads, 8-3
Last Five | UTSA leads, 5-0
Last Meeting | Away 2023, UTSA won 34-14

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Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Warner – 108/177 (61.0 percent), 955 yards, 7 TD, 6 INT
Rushing | Connors – 55 carries, 369 yards (6.7 yards per carry), 5 TD / Atkins – 24 carries, 158 yards (6.6 yards per carry), 2 TD
Receiving | Sykes – 24 receptions, 306 yards (12.8 yds/rec), 2 TD / Groen – 12 receptions, 94 yards (7.8 yds/rec) / Connors – 28  receptions, 126 yards (4.5 yds/rec)
Tackles | Morris – 24, Taylor/Tita – 23, Hook/Looes/Pearcy – 22
Pass Breakups | Fresech – 4, Six others tied with 1
Interceptions | Flowers/Williams/Mutombo – 1

UTSA Stat Notables

Passing | McCown – 101/164 (61.6 percent), 1054 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Henry – 40 carries, 194 yards (4.9 yards per carry), 1 TD / Barnes – 39 carries, 143 yards (3.7 yards per carry)
Receiving | McCuin – 30 receptions, 196 yards (6.5 yds/rec) / McCoy – 15 receptions, 306 yards (20.4 yds/rec), 2 TD / Carpenter – 13 receptions, 137 yards (10.5 yds/rec)
Tackles | Davison – 25, French – 24, Randle – 23
Pass Breakups | Davison/French/Randle/Pewee- 2
Interceptions | Frazier – 2, Pewee/Morris – 1

UTSA X-Factor | Extend drives

The Roadrunners have struggled mightily on third down this season and it’s significantly impacted their offensive production. They enter this game converting 33.7 percent of their third down opportunities, 12th in the AAC. In 2023, UTSA led the league in third down conversion rate. They led C-USA in 2022 and were second in the league in 2021. This has traditionally been an efficient team on those money downs and they’re just not getting it done right now.

The rest of the UTSA offense has been sturdy, but when a team can’t sustain drives, it takes away scoring opportunities and that’s a large part of what has slowed the Roadrunners’ attack this year. If they can find a way to get a few more key conversions the offensive output will pick up, putting more pressure on the Rice defense and allowing their own defense to catch a breather. 

Rice X-Factor | Take the ball away

Rice football is 12th in the AAC in takeaways with three. They’ve only forced one turnover against an FBS opponent this season. Turnovers are the great equalizer in this sport. A blowout can become a closer game with a few fortunate bounces and a close game can be swung in your favor if the takeaways materialize at the right points. Rice hasn’t gotten those turnovers and the results haven’t been kind.

In the Charlotte game Rice registered its first FBS takeaway and was nearly able to put the game out of reach soon afterward with the added momentum boost. That’s the formula this team needs to figure out moving forward. If they’re not going to play lights out defense or be perfect on offense, extra opportunities are crucial. A turnover provides just that and it does so at the expense of the other team.

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One Final Thing

Rice has already lost their must-win games to this point, making every game feel like a must-win game from this point forward. Bloomgren needs every evidence possible the program is moving in the right direction and a first time win over UTSA — even if it’s not the full-strength UTSA program of years past — would count as a positive step. 

If there’s any solace, it’s that those inside the walls of the Brian Patterson Center haven’t lost faith. They still believe they have the tools and talents to get this train back on its tracks. 

“It’s going to turn at some point. I hope it turns faster, sooner rather than later,” offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo told The Roost this past week. “It’d be nice to get some guys back, that always changes things up too, but you gotta play the hand you’re dealt.”

It’s been a rough hand so far. Here’s to hoping for a more fortunate hand this time around. There were moments against Charlotte when this team felt like it was moving in the right direction. They desperately need to find a way to recreate those hopes and sustain them for a full four quarters. 

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Rice Football 2024: Bye Week 1 Practice Report

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Rice football is off this week, utilizing a much-needed bye week to take stock of the program and make some tweaks before the second half of their season begins.

The first free weekend of a two-bye season has arrived. Rice football was on the practice field again this week working to turn things around. A lot of depth players saw extended run and the coaching staff implemented a few adjustments to set the team up for what they hope will be a bounce back after the bye.

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For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

Opportunities for fresh faces

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