Owls will pay tribute to Kennedy speech
On Sept. 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy made his famous, “We choose to go to the moon” speech inside Rice Stadium. He publicly laid out his ambition of an American astronaut landing on the moon before the end of the decade.
In commemoration of that historic event 60 years ago this week, the Rice Owls will wear a special uniform created in partnership with NASA and Adidas for Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. home opener at Rice Stadium against McNeese.
The uniform features the Artemis font package that recognizes NASA’s future in space exploration.
Key excerpts of the JFK speech are on the shoulder. Also featured on the uniform is a custom Rice space logo signifying the flight path from earth to space while the six stars honor the Apollo missions that landed on the moon. The seventh star signifies future missions to Mars.
“There’s a lot of history behind it, not only at the stadium, but with the city of Houston,” tight end Jack Bradley said. “Space exploration in our country, it’s cool to be part of this and be part of a uniform that represents that. The design is amazing.”
The players got their first glimpse of the uniform this week. During Monday’s reveal, defensive lineman Josh Pearcy was the model.
“It’s a great new fresh look that we need going into week 2,” Pearcy said. “I saw it as a great opportunity. They asked me to do it. Anything that helps the program grow.”
A limited number of game-worn uniforms will be available for purchase following the game.
Pregame activities begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with the opening of a space exploration, industry and research exhibit by NASA in the Greenbriar lot west of the stadium.
The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday as part of a three-day commemoration.
Respectable in loss
Saturday’s 66-14 loss to Southern California at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum wasn’t the result Rice football coach Mike Bloomgren was looking for. Even though the Owls didn’t lose a fumble, they were intercepted four times.
Rice did not play well enough to win against a talented USC team under first-year coach Lincoln Riley. The Owls were competitive before the turnovers.
Bloomgren said even though the Owls suffered a defeat, the team was not intimidated playing a traditional national power at a historic site before a crowd of 60,000.
“I liked that we went in there and we weren’t big-eyed,” Bloomgren said. “I like that we went in there from the start and we played good football.”
Green questionable
Rice starting quarterback Wiley Green left the USC game with a right arm injury, giving way to
T.J. McMahon. Green had passed for 69 yards when he was hurt in the second quarter on a 93-yard interception return by Calen Bullock.
Green has gone from doubtful to improving and could be ready against McNeese on Saturday night. Green was on the field Monday, but not practicing. He still has not been cleared by the medical staff.
Green had essentially 10 days of work in preparing for the Trojans. McMahon got only 20 percent of the reps that Green did. McMahon was intercepted three times by the Trojans, two returned for scores.
Running back Cameron Montgomery, who rushed for 99 yards
against the Trojans on only six carries, is expected to practice Wednesday after getting banged up Saturday.
Special teams excel
An area that Bloomgren felt Rice outplayed USC was special teams.
Washington transfer Tim Horn kicked two balls that went for touchbacks. One ball that was returned, the USC runner was tackled on his own 16-yard line by Litchfield Ajavon. The Owls averaged 40.5 yards on four punts from Georgetown transfer Conor Hunt. Juma Otoviano returned two kickoffs for 47 yards.
“Just unbelievable effort on all phases of special teams,” Bloomgren said. “We need that to continue and then we need the offense and defense to play the way we’re capable of.”
First drive special
In the early going at USC, Rice was even with Southern Cal. The Trojans scored a touchdown to open the game and Rice responded with a 75-yard, seven-play touchdown drive engineered by Green. Ari Broussard scored on a 1-yard run. Through one quarter the game was tied 7-7.
“We had an amazing first drive,” said Bradley, who caught a pass in the series.
A lot of Rice’s early success was helped by players with experience, like offensive linemen Clay Servin and Shea Baker.
“Having that experience really let us have expectations that we can do this,” Bradley said. “That first drive proved it. We were moving the ball, doing some great things.”
What brought down the offense were miscues. The Trojans’ defense returned three of its four interceptions for touchdowns.
“We played a solid first half,” Bradley said. “We did make those mistakes. Those turnovers are easily correctable.”
Despite the loss, Bradley said the Owls have the potential for a good season. He also prefers to play tight end over receiver.
“It is fun to catch the ball, but it’s also fun blocking people, putting people in the dirt,” Bradley said. “That’s what playing tight end is all about.”