UNT 41, So. Miss 14 early in the 3rd quarter. Next Thursday night will be a challenge, to say the least.

New Mexico State losing by 1 point to Abilene Christian at the half. I may have to try to listen to the game to see how those announcers are calling that game.

Just returned…good to get a W and take care of business as the #1 positive. UTEP is a really bad team. They quit. Heard Thurmond telling the D on sidelines the same thing about them. Issues in El Paso as jury is out on whether they have right guy in the job to turn that around. We won 45-7 but felt like it should have been 60-0. High class problems and how times have changed (for the better)…

Takeaways from what I saw

Positives
McH. Accuracy on deep ball really improved. Even ones that were not caught were well thrown. Also made some nice plays w/ feet. Amazing how much better the entire team is when you get good QB play. He looked like the guy we have been expecting all year. That is closest I have seen him to CC.

RB's ran strong across-the-board. Amazing depth.

OL…opened-up holes and protected

J. Carter

Covington and other DL who stepped-up (albeit w/ an OL that is not going to be confused w/ A&M's)

J. White hustle play was what changed entire complexion of game

No turnovers

Some nice hits…even when they got positive yards, we made them feel it.

Hull return. I know there may be some ball security concerns but really would like to see him get more touches.


Negatives

Crowd was really light…esp Students (I guess it is Night of Decadence tonight but still..turnout was really bad)

Play calling in 1Q to get away from what is working w/ Ross up-the-gut. Getting too cute.

Still some critical/stupid penalties

Gave up some big plays w/ fundamental mistakes of pursuit and angles.

Would have like to see DJ earlier and more (recognizing McH was playing a good game).

Don't like the Luke Turner short punt game. You have the best kicker in the country and one of best rushing offenses on fourth and short. Don't know why you play field position..especially when you are only netting ~20-yards on those kicks.

(10-26-2013 08:40 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  UNT 41, So. Miss 14 early in the 3rd quarter. Next Thursday night will be a challenge, to say the least.

Yup. The stats these two teams have compiled are eerily close. It has the feeling of a close game decided by one or two key plays. Just has to see if we can make those plays.

The Carter play is getting some media attention.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/10/2...ainst-utep

Agree with the game observations thus far.

I find it more normal that the MOB has Cello and Bass players than the MOB having a twirler (that isn't Marvin Zindler). Given that the numbers of the MOB have dwindled, all volunteers are welcome to bolster the ranks.

If NOD really is affecting attendance that much (pathetic excuse IMO), why can't Wiess move NOD back to Friday night?

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

Thank you. That was driving me up the wall (but was away from any ability to post).

(10-26-2013 06:57 PM)Gravy Owl Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:54 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Announcers said it was the first time to be bowl eligible in back to back seasons since 60 & 61, but weren't there a couple of Hatfield teams that were eligible but just couldn't find a home?

Yes. 7-4 in '96 and again in '97. There weren't as many bowls back then, and almost all of them were tied to conferences we weren't in.

'92 and '93 (each 6-5 with a W over Sam) were not bowl eligible but would have been under the current rules.

Today: I was a little concerned at the start but it turned into a satisfying win. Loved that Carter got a carry (and a great response from the crowd).

Thanks for that. I did wonder if maybe there was some difference in rules that would have made us inelgible back then. Didn't think about the D1AA rule change.

Utep is a really really bad team-we played someone 2 or 3 years ago-navy maybe that was even worse-but Utep is just awful

(10-26-2013 10:18 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  The Carter play is getting some media attention.

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/10/2...ainst-utep

I've seen Jayson Carter and he's pretty well built. I keep seeing his height listed and picture him in practice, This article may be the first time I've seen his weight, and holy cripes, the kid has guts.

Liked what I saw. Didn't bring the A-game and still won handily.

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.

I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.

I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

Especially watching Cincy go to the bowl game in Tuscon instead of us because they agreed to play a basketball game at U of A.

(10-26-2013 11:46 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.

I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

Especially watching Cincy go to the bowl game in Tuscon instead of us because they agreed to play a basketball game at U of A.

Humanitarian Bowl - agreed to play Boise State in basketball.

(10-26-2013 08:14 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

I hope he gets that photo and remembers the carry for a very long time

(10-27-2013 12:08 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 08:14 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

I hope he gets that photo and remembers the carry for a very long time

He also got a decent segment on Sportscenter.

Unexpected stat. Rice lost time of possession, 32:30 to 27:30

(10-27-2013 12:03 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:46 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....
1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)
Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.
I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

Especially watching Cincy go to the bowl game in Tuscon instead of us because they agreed to play a basketball game at U of A.

Humanitarian Bowl - agreed to play Boise State in basketball.

One more reason why getting basketball to something like Gonzaga/Butler status would be a huge positive step.

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.

I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

I still think the 97 team is the best team we have had since Jess Neely. And the refs stole the game on two horrible roughing the k calls.

(10-27-2013 12:03 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:46 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....


1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)

Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.

I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

Especially watching Cincy go to the bowl game in Tuscon instead of us because they agreed to play a basketball game at U of A.

Humanitarian Bowl - agreed to play Boise State in basketball.

Brain drain again...thanks for the correction.

(10-27-2013 06:48 AM)texowl2 Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 11:30 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(10-26-2013 05:53 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  FIRST BACK-TO-BACK BOWL ELIGIBLE SEASONS FOR RICE since....
1996 and 1997 (7-4 both years)
Just thought I'd clear that up in case you read or heard otherwise elsewhere :)

nice catch.
I will always feel bad for the players and coaches on that team, having decisively beaten ranked teams in conference that got to bowl instead.

I still think the 97 team is the best team we have had since Jess Neely. And the refs stole the game on two horrible roughing the k calls.

The roughing the punter call late in the game was terrible, but there's absolutely no reason why any of our players should ever have been within five yards of the punter. It's late, we had the lead, our offense can grind out clock and yards. We WANT them to punt it to us. The only function of the punt rush in that situation is to make sure that he DOES punt it, that it's not some kind of fake. The only thing that can hurt us a roughing call. So don't give the referee a chance to screw it up.