Owls open C-USA with lineups set for league play
Following four nonconference football games, Rice coach Mike Bloomgren basically knows what type of team he has, for better or worse. Not much will change personnel-wise going into Conference USA play, which for the Owls starts with Southern Miss on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Rice Stadium.
“I really wanted to use preseason to see which of our young guys can take on more of a role,” Bloomgren said. “Some had to do it (play) because of injuries; some we just threw in there. I’ve asked our coaches to be very critical, like if they’re ready for five snaps a game to help us at a championship level. If they’re not, let’s continue to work them until we get them ready.
“But there’s no more experimenting going on right now. We’ve got a group that we trust, and we’re going to go forward with those guys.”
Rice (1-3) heads into conference play coming off its first win, 48-34 over visiting Texas Southern, against whom the Owls piled up 620 yards.
“We took a little step forward as an offense,” Bloomgren said. “It’s good to come into conference knowing we’re on an upswing, and that gives me a lot of comfort.”
Alabama film shows good plan
A couple of advantages of playing an opponent that just played the No. 1 team in the nation is that there’s video to watch, as well as the reality that the opponent probably will not be 100 percent healthy. Southern Miss was pounded by Alabama 63-14.
“Alabama has great coaches. They were able to put a great game plan together,” Bloomgren said. “That’s great for all three phases of our (team) to watch how Alabama attacked them and see what things fit with them that we do and which matchups we can gain.
“I know after you play those (Alabama) guys, a lot of times you’re a little banged up after a physical contest like that. For us, it’s great film we get from playing Alabama.”
Coach calls Owls physical team
The physicality of the Owls got the attention of first-year Southern Miss coach Will Hall while he was watching film of Rice. The Owls emphasize a strong run game offensively and heavy hitting from the defense.
Bloomgren brought that philosophy to Rice from being an assistant at Stanford.
“One of the hardest playing teams,” Hall said. “They get after you on defense. They come after you to try and stop the run. Offensively, they play a lot of tight ends and come at you. They’re built like Stanford was back in the ( Jim) Harbaugh days.”
Old man enjoys playing the line
Starting right tackle Jovaun Woolford was part of the Rice line that powered its way to 349 yards rushing against Texas Southern. Because he’s the only player on the team who has been in college seven years, as well as being the oldest at 25, Woolford gets teased being the old man. However, he embraces the situation.
“I want to be that older brother, be that uncle, be
that grandpa, whatever people need,” Woolford said. “Definitely with my age, a lot of people look up to me and will come for advice. To be able to fall back on that experience and share with others has matured me.”
Woolford began college in 2015 at Colgate. The 6-5 298-pounder came to Rice as a grad transfer in 2020.
“Blessed with the opportunity to get two degrees paid for by this great game,” said Woolford, who plans to start a college health service for the underprivileged. “And I’m still able to keep coming out here and play a kid’s game.”
Izzo, Clement part of Hall class
Former football players Larry Izzo and Chase Clement are part of the 2021 class that will be inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday at The Westin Houston Medical Center. The 14-person class will also be honored on the field during Saturday’s game.
At Rice, Izzo set a school record of 46 tackles for loss and earned consensus All-Southwest Conference honors his senior year in 1995. As an undrafted player in the NFL, the McCullough High School (The Woodlands) product was a three-time All-Pro selection and won three Super Bowls with New England. Clement passed for 9,785 yards as an Owl from 2005-2008.