Gauntlet of games vs. AAC’s best continues
The gauntlet continues for Rice football. A threegame stretch of opponents that are unbeaten in the American Athletic Conference will come to an end Saturday at San Antonio.
In succession, without a week off, Rice will have played Tulane, SMU and UTSA, the league’s three top-tier teams.
“(You have) SMU with the money commitment and their desire to jump to the ACC,” sixth-year Rice coach Mike Bloomgren said. “Then you have the returning (AAC) champs in Tulane and the champs moving up with us from Conference USA in UTSA. We knew it was a challenge.”
Entering this weekend, UTSA, SMU and Tulane are atop the AAC standings at 5-0 in league play. On Saturday, Rice lost to SMU 36-31 inside Rice Stadium. The week before at home, the Owls came up short to Tulane 30-28.
“We haven’t gotten it done the way we wanted to,” Bloomgren said. “We wanted to find a way to win these games. I’m proud of where our program has got to and proud of how these kids are preparing. I hope we can make a few more plays and get a (win) this weekend.”
At 4-5 overall and 2-3 in conference, the Owls need two wins over their final three games to become bowl eligible. Rice’s most significant victory this season was a 43-41 doubleovertime decision over Houston, a team that defeated UTSA 17-14.
“They’ve had two tough losses,” fourth-year UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said. “They played their tail off against SMU, and they played their tail off against Tulane. You could argue a (couple) of plays in each game where it would have gone the other way, you’re talking about Rice beating Tulane and SMU. They beat Houston; we could not do that. I have a lot of respect for what Mike has done.”
UTSA has won 13 straight regular-season conference games. Against Rice, the Roadrunners have won the past seven matchups and lead the series 7-3.
Daniels doubtful to play vs. UTSA
Quarterback J.T. Daniels is in concussion protocol and, as of Tuesday, doubtful against UTSA. On Saturday against SMU, Daniels took a shot to the helmet late in the first half before finishing the drive. He did not play in the second half.
Daniels has not been ruled out for Saturday. He suffered an ankle injury this season and returned to play the following week.
“If anybody can do it with the way that he has not practiced and then played, (it is Daniels),” Bloomgren said. “The game plan is made in such a way that he could be plugged in and play if he is made available. If (No.) 18 (Daniels) can play, 18 will play.”
Against the Mustangs, the Owls rallied around true freshman Chase Jenkins (Alief Taylor), who was playing only his third college game.
Regardless of who will play quarterback vs. UTSA, Rice offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo is putting together a plan to attack the structure of the UTSA defense. The Owls will just call it differently, depending on who the quarterback is.
Alamar making special impact
When it comes to special teams, some of the things that stand out during a game are blocked kicks, big returns and explosive plays. The hidden part is how it effects field position.
Bloomgren has said Owls special teams coordinator Pete Alamar is the best in the college ranks. Alamar is in his first season at Rice and has been part of 18 bowl teams. He has been a head coach and an offensive coordinator, and he was previously in charge of special teams at Arizona, Cal, Fresno State and Stanford.
“Our job is real estate acquisition,” Alamar said. “We want to put the (Rice) defense on a long field, and we want to put the offense on a short field. If we can score, that makes it (better), and that’s first choice.”
The first choice became a reality against SMU. Chike Anigbogu returned Stevenson’s blocked punt 15 yards for touchdown in the first quarter. The Owls also derailed a fake punt on the Mustangs’ first series.
Stevenson is one of four players nationally to have blocked both a punt and extra point this season. Against the Mustangs, Quinton Jackson had an explosive kick return of 44 yards, setting up a touchdown in the final minute of the first half.
“We only get one play. We don’t get second and third down,” Alamar said. “Special teams is pretty finite. You either do it or you don’t.”
Captain Anigbogu shows versatility
Before the season, Anigbogu was named captain of Rice’s special teams. It is a responsibility the former walk-on takes seriously as he balances duty with that unit and backing up Myron Morrison at weakside linebacker.
“It’s something that’s been ingrained in me by older guys in the program and having a passion for it,” Anigbogu said. “If you’re in the room, you should learn every position by caring and being an active listener, a student of the game.”
Anigbogu picked up his first career sack against Texas Southern. His second career sack ended East Carolina’s final threat with 24 seconds remaining.
The score against SMU was Anigbogu’s first in college. At Ridge Point, he scored his only touchdown off a fumble return as a junior.