 RE: LendingTree Bowl - Rice vs Southern Miss
Well...I was correct about Rice scoring 24.
Started off with a tough lead-in from the Oregon St.-Florida game.
I thought that Jakarius Caston pushed off on the first South Miss TD, but they didn't call it.
I disagreed with the Jack Bradley call where he got hurt. Hope he is going to be okay, as that looked like it might have lifetime repercussions of back problems in future.
I disagreed where they said the South Miss guy caught the ball where it looked like he fumbled at worst, or at best did not have clean possession.
I was pleasantly surprised by the extended Rice defensive goal-line stand, despite the dumb penalty, that kept South Miss to a FG.
I was also thrilled to see Padgett and the Owls come back in 3Q and score 21 straight points and especially the immediate score after the turnover to really shift momentum for a while.
We definitely had some chances and at times the play calling during the third quarter was very inspired.
But we just could not accept success--I mean what the heck on 4th and 6 going for it after Padgett didn't try to get the first down--I understand he wants to slide to protect himself, but it was like he didn't know where he had to get to for the first (the 3) and maybe thought he was closer than he was. either way, the rushed call on 4th and 6 was just stupid to me. Take the FG and come back with a defensive stand and see if you can break through again.
We did get the defensive stand, but how many times did we have them on long yardage or backed into their own zone and they bust a run with a big hole out of seemingly nothing. As per almost usual for Owl teams, open-field tackling at times left a lot to be desired.
Honestly, overall, despite the numerous penalties on both sides and the slop on both at times, it was not all that terrible a game to watch, which for Rice is really saying something, especially the last several years.
There is some talent, and some spark, but not sure it is/will be coached up enough by this crew. Padgett has definite potential, as he looked good and threw well at times. He was able to settle in and make some quicker decisions. For his second start, as a Freshman, you have to like what he showed. That hit at the end of the game looked really bad for him. Like he might have torn something. Hope he's okay, as he definitely seems like he should start next year, barring a great transfer. Again, concerned that they can develop him properly and take advantage of his strengths. He seemed to have that quick throw inside to the seam on the run almost all day. He rifled it in a few too many times, but he gets the touch on those, we can Joe Montana nickel and dime it down field all day five or seven yards at a time and drive defenses nuts. Also, he showed with some work he has some tough to heave it to the outside over-the-shoulder some.
I did not like the new font helmets at all, although I liked the dark blue better than silver or white. Our unis, while blue and gray, just looked blah to me. I prefer the traditional white with blue pants or blue jerseys with gray pants and a stripe or two. Also, did not care for the numbers font. But that stuff is minor in the grand scheme.
We mostly played better than we seemed to have this season. Don't know what this staff will do, but we're stuck with them for a while it seems. Was rooting for South Miss to just score two field goals after we got the 24 and then it would have been magic. Oh, well, Gore, Jr. did his job and then some. Our defense left that hole open too many times for him and could not contain him well. We had a chance, but fell short. At least the game was not the typical Rice embarrassment on national TV. Bloom got lucky he didn't look as bad as he has been this season. Hope it helps the program and we can get some good transfers in.
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