Forgettable present has Owls already looking to the future
Two 1-7 teams hoping to finish seasons strong
Austin Walter applies a tired-and-true adage to Rice’s season.
One’s true character is revealed in how he or she handles adversity. In Rice’s case, how it handles the season down the stretch with no postseason to play for might be something this team can carry with it for next year.
“The true test of this team’s character, we’re going to have to find a way to just finish up these games strong and just come out fighting,” the sophomore running back said.
Rice’s downward spiral makes it official that it won’t go bowling for a second consecutive year after previously making three straight bowls.
So what’s left in 2016? Rice (1-7, 0-5 C-USA) believes pride is enough to play for, but these last four games could be an evaluation period starting with the Florida Atlantic Owls at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Rice Stadium.
Some of the constant problems Rice’s Owls have faced keep showing up — even things it can’t control.
Rice faced the conference’s top offense on the road in Louisiana Tech after a virus decimated the team during practice last week. The Bulldogs gave Rice its worst loss of the season, 61-16.
Injuries have stunted the season again like last year. There are still self-inflicted mistakes. But youth might be a saving grace for Rice.
Eye on quarterbacks
Some of the team’s top performers like sophomore running back Sam Stewart will be around for a while, and junior linebacker Emmanuel Ellerbee will be back.
“It’s all big picture here and we just need to pay attention to the details,” Walter said.
Where eyes will be fixated down the stretch is quarterback. Rice head coach David Bailiff said the other quarterbacks behind senior Tyler Stehling,
J.T. Granato and Jackson Tyner, will see some time. Granato and Tyner are bother redshirt freshmen, and Sam Glaesmann from Waco Midway will be in the fold next year.
Bailiff said Granato was unable to make the Louisiana Tech trip because his wisdom teeth were being removed, but Tyner saw some time, going 4-for-5 for 54 yards with a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
Granato played briefly against Prairie View A&M two weeks ago with a 4-yard touchdown run in that game.
Florida Atlantic (1-7, 0-4) is in the same spot as Rice — young and not a lot going its way this season. FAU fell to Western Kentucky in a 52-3 loss last week but has dealt with a handful of close losses.
“They’re competitive in every game,” Bailiff said. “They lost by two, by four, by six. They’re playing really hard. They had an opening (week) win. They’re like us.”
FAU head coach Charlie Partridge said these last four games aren’t special because of the chance to evaluate for next year. They’ve been evaluating all year.
“We will continue to do everything we can to put together a game plan and win games,” Partridge said during his news conference this week. “If that means a young guy comes in and helps us, so be it, or if it is one of our veterans who has been here. We will do whatever we can to do what we believe gives us the best chance to win the game.”
Looking to the future
Rice junior defensive end Brian Womac said he’s learned more from this season than any he’s played in. He said the continued effort, even in a season like this one, is one he hopes pushes this team to brighter days.
“I’ve gained so much respect for so many guys that I’ve played with,” Womac said. “For them to just come back week after week and keep playing as hard as they have really amazes me. It gives me faith moving forward, not only with the remaining games we have this year, but just moving forward into the future.”