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November 18, 2005 > Sports > Twice is nice: football looks for second straight win

Twice is nice: football looks for second straight win

By Adam Tabakin | Thresher staff

The football team will try to extend its season-long winning streak of one game Saturday, when it takes on the suddenly formidable University of Central Florida at Rice Stadium at 2 p.m.

Rice (1-8, 1-5 Conference USA) is riding a wave of confidence after defeating Tulane University 42-34 Saturday. The Owls will be facing UCF (7-3, 6-1) for the first time. The Golden Knights lost their last 4 games in 2003, went winless in 11 games in 2004 and extended their losing streak to 17 games when they dropped their first two games this season. But UCF has since had a remarkable turnaround, winning seven of its last eight games, including four in a row.

The Owls have the youngest team in the country this year, starting either two or three seniors each game.

“We’re coming in playing our last game for our seniors [at Rice Stadium], so we’re going to be motivated,” head coach Ken Hatfield said. “We’re going to be ready to play.”

Linebacker Adam Herrin, a senior and a leader on and off the field throughout the season, said the game’s personal significance will only improve his preparation.

“Going into the last home game, it’s going to be pretty emotional for me and a good week for me to just do my best to … get the team prepared and be ready to get another win,” Herrin said.

This week, Rice must avoid its tendency to start slow. Even after jumping out to a 14-3 lead against Tulane, the Owls trailed at halftime. Rice has been outscored by an average of 19 points in the first half this season, compared to only 2 points in the second half.

“I wish we could be a full-game team, but we’re playing our best football in the second half,” Herrin said.

If the running game works as well as it did against Tulane, the Owls should be able to control the ball and prevent UCF from jumping out to an insurmountable early lead. Sophomore fullback John Wall had 138 of his 156 rushing yards in the first half last week and for his efforts was named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week.

Wall, who is second on the team with 411 rushing yards and tied for first on the team with six touchdowns, said he has been pleased with his recovery from a season-ending knee injury last year.

“I didn’t really know how [well] I was going to come back from the knee surgery,” Wall said. “I worked really hard this summer, and it’s paid off so far. I’m just happy to have the opportunity to be playing.”

After breaking their nation-longest 14-game losing streak, the Owls were able to loosen up. Following the game, Hatfield jokingly teased freshman Carl Taylor for being tackled two yards shy of the goal line instead of scoring when returning an interception. Such good-natured ribbing has not been absent from practice, which has kept Rice’s spirits up in this trying season.

“Believe it or not, we do a lot more [joking around] in practice than we do after the game,” Hatfield said. “There are some things that some of the kids will do in practice like spiking the ball … to make practice fun.”

Rice’s first four home contests this season have drawn an average of just 10,524 fans, fourth-lowest in NCAA Division I-A. But according to Herrin, playing in front of a stadium that is 15 percent full has not been debilitating.

“We have always said, ‘I don’t care how many people are in the stands — it’s going to come down to us playing together,” Herrin said. “That’s what this whole season has been about — just playing for each other and playing for Rice and for the students and for pride.”

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