Bloomgren pleased with Owls’ offense
Quarterback battle continues following spring game
Jalen Reeves was all over the field making plays from his linebacker position. TJ McMahon, one of four quarterbacks to take snaps, passed for 200 yards and two scores.
Efforts from both sides of the ball had Rice football coach Mike Bloomgren pleased with what he saw from the Owls on Friday night at Rice Stadium as Rice concluded spring ball with the Blue-Gray game. For the record, the offense defeated the defense 48-34.
“It’s not even worth comparing this spring to other springs we’ve had,” said Bloomgren, who will be entering his fourth year as Rice coach when the Owls open their 2021 season Sept. 4 at Arkansas. “I’m very grateful where we are as a program. We’re fun to watch to play this game.”
Under first-year offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo, the Owls put up 627 yards.
Wiley Green, Weber State grad transfer Jake Constantine and JoVoni Johnson, who came on strong in Rice’s 2-3 season last year, also saw action at quarterback on Friday. Green completed all but one of his nine throws for 91 yards. Constantine completed 6 of 10 passes for 66 yards and one touchdown.
Khalan Griffin rushed for 125 yards and two scores on 17 carries. Juma Otoviano added 64 yards rushing on 13 attempts. Bradley Rozner totaled five receptions for 72 yards and a score. Cedric Patterson III, participating in his first spring with the Owls, caught three balls for 88 yards and a score. Of Andrew Mason’s two receptions, one was a 65-yard touchdown pass from McMahon, who was 8-of-13 passing.
“Those are great numbers that the quarterbacks were able to put up,” Bloomgren said.
Even though the reality is it was a spring game format, Bloomgren liked what he saw of the offense, which scored on three of its first four possessions.
“I’m thrilled how we moved the ball against what I think is the best defense in the conference,” Bloomgren said. “I’m pleased with what the offense did, but I’m going to take it with a grain of salt.
“We did handcuff the defense like we usually do in this game. It’s hard when they’re not allowed to touch the quarterback and disrupt throws.”
Summarizing the offense throughout the spring, Bloomgren said, “There’s been times we’ve seen explosive plays, seen spurts that really excite you, but we lack consistency.”
Reeves collected two sacks and stood out. Cornerback Miles McCord and end Caleb James played well. Like Reeves, linebacker Antonio Montero was all over the field. A number of defensive linemen made tackles coming off the edge or penetrating up the middle.
“We had a good, competitive spring,” Montero said. “The offense brought some new challenging concepts at us. A lot of us are playing at a high level, and it was a real physical spring. We definitely got better as a football team.”
Format of the spring game involved first string versus first string, offenses against defenses, and second string versus first string on both sides of the ball.
The quarterback competition is ongoing. Johnson, who saw limited action on Friday, and Constantine may be the frontrunners at quarterback. The 6-2, 200pound Constantine made 23 starts over two seasons at Weber State, helping Weber State to two Big Sky titles and two trips to the FCS playoffs.
“I thought Jake played really well the last two practices,” Bloomgren said, “but TJ has built some trust, and Wiley is such a vet. I’m a lot more positive about that quarterback room than I was coming out of Scrimmage 1 or Scrimmage 2.”
In addition to Tuiasosopo, Chris Monfiletto has taken over coaching special teams. Brian Smith is back as the coordinator of a defense that was 12th nationally in fewest points allowed (18.8) per game.