I hope someone knowledgable will post one.

I just know that Major Applewhite is a coach and they have a lot of youth and vigor.

I'll get it started, hopefully some more knowledgable Rice fans will fill in the details.

For those of you who are expecting the "old" Rice....you will be in for a major surprise. OVerall, we're pretty excited and happy with the new coaching staff, led by Todd Graham (from Tulsa) with Major Applewhite as OC and Paul Randolph (from Alabama) as DC. Coach Graham has re-energized the Rice fanbase and raised over $6 million so far to renovate Rice Stadium and significantly upgrade the football program.

We still run an option play occasionally, but we mostly run a spead offense. Jarett Dillard, our main receiver, is 2nd nationally in passes caught per game and 5th in the nation in yardage per game. Quinton Smith, our main running back, has rushed for 329 yards in 69 attempts. 4.8 yards per carry avg. longest run 52 yards, 3 tds. Chase Clement, our QB, has just come back from a thumb injury that he suffered in the Houston game. He was CUSA offensive player of the week last week for his performance against Army. He established career highs in attempts (39), completions (29), passing yards (299), rushing yards (64) and total offense (363) in leading Rice to our first road victory in a long time.

I don't have much in the way of defensive stats, other than our defense is much more agressive and exciting than I've seen in many years of Rice football....

We played Houston close, played at UCLA pretty close (without Clement as QB) and then got blown out by Texas in Reliant Stadium and at F$U. We suffered quite a few injuries in the UT and FSU games, but are now getting some of those players back in action. The Army game was particularly difficult for us since Dale Lloyd, one of our freshman defensive backs, died suddenly last week. Fortunately, the players and coaches showed extraordinary character and focus, and honored Dale's memory with the very solid win.

Looking forward to this weekend's game...

That was a pretty good assessment of our offense. Basically we try to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers. #16, the QB, can manage a game pretty well. If the receivers are covered he will take off and run. #81 at wideout is very special as you've already read, and our 2nd best receiver is #13, who was an option QB last year and had to move back to QB against Texas and Florida State because of an injury to Clement. #44 is a top running back, but has not had great blocking up the middle so far.

Defensively we run a 3-3-5. We aren't very big and have given up a lot of yardage up the middle, but that was against the likes of UCLA, Texas and Florida State. We blitz a lot and from different directions, and are pretty good against the pass.

The kicking game has been spotty. We have a punter, #85, who will kick one ball 65 yards with tremendous height and shank the next. We are pretty accurate in kicking field goals from 35 yards and in, and also have a long range kicker who gives us a chance from 50 yards. Our #1 kick returner has been out for a couple of weeks, but may return Saturday. Here's hoping for a good game.

Why the 1 pm start? I thought you all played mostly night games in the Superdome.

What a tragedy that was.


Nothing like youth and energy for a program. I've been impressed with the Owls. That's one thing we really lack - youth and energy; and our coach, for being only 40, acts like he's 85 (he's always acted like an old man).

Should be a fun game and good luck after Saturday.

Thanks for the post.