UTEP brings high-powered offense to Rice
The football team looks to end its 12-game losing streak Saturday at 5 p.m. when it takes on the University of Texas-El Paso at Rice Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on i Network, formerly known as PAX.
Rice (0-6, 0-3 Conference USA) is one of four remaining winless teams in the country, while UTEP (5-1, 3-1) is in the running for the C-USA Western Division championship.
“We’re all a little bit frustrated because we know we’re a lot better than what our record shows,” freshman quarterback Chase Clement said. “We’ve got a lot of great players on our team — there’s no question about it.”
Great players or not, Rice must do a better job of keeping its opposition out of the end zone. The Owls have allowed 41 points in three consecutive games, and 41 is the lowest number of points Rice has allowed in a game this season. Its 47 points allowed per game is the worst in the country. UTEP’s offense is averaging 32.5 points scored per game this season.
While the Owls have struggled on defense, they have also allowed long returns and touchdowns on special teams.
“Those are the big plays,” head coach Ken Hatfield said. “You don’t see just offense and defense. We must do a better job [on special teams,] because that’s hidden yardage. You don’t look at just stats and time of possession.”
Sophomore quarterback Joel Armstrong should be close to full strength after a shoulder injury that limited him last week against Navy. The Owls could also welcome back junior running back Mike Falco, whose preseason knee injury has sidelined him the entire season.
Falco entered the season as the team’s leading returning receiver, but a pair of freshmen, receiver Jarrett Dillard and running back Tommy Henderson, have picked up the slack in the passing game, combining for 34 of Rice’s 49 receptions. Henderson’s eight catches last week were the most by an Owl in Hatfield’s tenure.
Henderson was recruited as a quarterback — like his older brother Greg Henderson (Sid ‘05) — but has quickly adjusted to his new halfback position, where he has started every game this season in place of Falco.
“I think I’m growing into this position each week,” Henderson said. “It’s been a learning experience, but each week it’s been easier and easier. It’s definitely been fun.”
In last season’s game against UTEP, which was then ranked 23rd nationally in the Associated Press poll, the Owls recorded two safeties in the final 5:20 of the fourth quarter to force overtime. But in the second extra period, fullback Ed Bailey lost a fumble at the goal line after appearing to score a game-tying touchdown, and the Miners came away with a 35-28 victory. Rice is out to get revenge for their nail-biter last year.
“We’re a little bit sour about the loss last year,” junior defensive lineman DeJaun Cooper said. “We’re definitely hyped to play UTEP [this year].”
Hatfield said the Owls are not intimidated by the Miners.
“The biggest thing I’m going to focus on this week is Rice, [not UTEP]” Hatfield said. “[UTEP is] going to be good — they’ve proven what they can do. We have not proven what we’re capable of doing. Until we can start taking the coaching, being in the right place, playing our kicking game well, it doesn’t matter which team we’re playing right now. We’ve got to play up to our capabilities.”
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