Pair of freshmen provide a spark to Owls’ offense
The Rice offense finally has started to find its rhythm thanks to an emerging pair of freshmen.
True freshman quarterback Miklo Smalls led the Owls against UAB on Saturday and, for the second consecutive week, Rice outgained its opponent but still came up well short on the scoreboard.
But Smalls’ performance offered a glimpse into the future. Smalls played most of the game, orchestrating fluid drives as the Owls had their second-highest scoring output of the season (21 points).
And redshirt freshman wide receiver Aaron Cephus was another big reason that the offense got untracked.
Cephus shined again with four catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. It was his fourth consecutive game with a score, and his second 100-yard effort in three games. He is tied with Oklahoma State’s James Washington for the NCAA lead for most catches of 50 yards or more (six).
The offense’s recent production — 49 points in the last two games after just 60 in the first seven — isn’t surprising to coaches, who felt their young quarterbacks and skill players would settle into their roles with more game experience.
For Smalls and Cephus, it’s the product of something that started when they first met two years ago.
“Me and Miklo Smalls, we’re a duo,” Cephus said. “We’re not roommates but we might as well be.”
Smalls, then at Plano East Senior High, visited Rice for a recruiting trip, where he met Cephus. They immediately hit it off, bonding over things like football and music.
These days, even their families are close. Cephus recently caught Smalls’ older brother’s homecoming game at Texas Southern.
Last year, Smalls visited Houston, where he crashed with his brother Mario, a tight end for the Tigers. He made a point to visit Rice and toss some passes to Cephus in his spare time.
Building chemistry
That was the first time Cephus got his hands on one of Smalls’ blistering deep passes — a sight that’s becoming more common in games.
“That’s what builds that chemistry, me and him don’t spend any time apart from each other besides when I go home and go to sleep,” Cephus said.
For Smalls, family is a big reason why the freshman will make his third start against Southern Mississippi (5-4, 3-2) on Saturday.
Smalls is the youngest of three brothers. Since age 6, his father inserted him against older competition including his brothers and their friends.
That experience helped Smalls adjust to the speed of the game quicker than most of his peers, eventually earning him a scholarship to Rice — his first offer.
Smalls is grateful for his father’s foresight. It helped get him to this point, although Smalls knows that game experience is the most valuable teacher. Coaches said that experience has been crucial to the overall offensive progression as the season winds down.
“Obviously, he was playing for the first time earlier in the year. We’ve known what a special talent he is and it was unfortunate he missed all last year with a
About the game
When/where: 2:30 p.m. today; Rice Stadium. Radio: 94.1 FM. Records: Southern Mississippi 5-4, 3-2 Conference USA; Rice 1-8, 1-4. Rice update: Saturday is homecoming, and the Owls are 8-1 against C-USA opponents on homecoming (with the lone loss coming to Southern Mississippi in 2016). … Redshirt freshman receiver Aaron Cephus leads the nation with a 27.8-yard-per-reception average. … Five Football Bowl Subdivision players have rushing and receiving plays of 70 or more yards this season, and Rice receiver Austin Walter and Southern Mississippi running back Ito Smith are two of them. Southern Miss update: Ito Smith is fourth in the nation with 20 career 100yard rushing games. … The Golden Eagles allowed 210 yards of offense in their last game against Tennessee; they rank second in Conference USA in total defense, allowing 318.0 yards per game. … Southern Miss is seeking its 100th Conference USA victory.
wrist (injury),” offensive coordinator Billy Lynch said of Cephus.
“Early in the year, he was just too inconsistent. You’d see the flashes, but he didn’t have the consistency to stack games together.”
Cephus credits Lynch with much of his growth. His coordinator would text him about tweaking his technique or send him videos to illustrate it. Having game film to critique has also helped Cephus learn his position more purposefully.
Making strides
Lynch feels Cephus has made strides in his technique and timing as a route runner. Coaches also point to his development as a blocker.
“Obviously it adds a dynamic to the offense that the first four weeks we didn’t have,” Lynch said.
That growth has boosted his receiver’s confidence, although it doesn’t seem to faze Cephus.
“We’re all in the lab trying to figure out what we can do to get better,” he said. “We’re not at all happy with our record right now.” Having Smalls helps. “Me as his best friend and me as his quarterback, I try to keep him ready and focused on the main goal,” Smalls said.
Rice is hoping both players continue to develop into the future, although they’d like to see their current momentum result in more wins.
“Now he’s growing into the type of receiver he can be,” Lynch said, “but he’s just scratching the surface.”