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Young Owls
hoping for shot
at bowl berth
Fourth in a series
Ken Hatfield was steaming like a hot radiator looking for an exit from the Houston loop during rush hour.
The topic was bowl games, and how his Rice team must win the league championship in order to get a sniff at postseason action because of the Western Athletic Conference's lack of bowl connections.
"That's about the way it is for just about any team unless you're tied in," the veteran coach said. "My biggest disagreement is the inequity in bowl games. It's nothing new, but it's still not good for college football. Someone who goes 10-2 or 9-3 deserves it rather than the sixth-place team in a big conference."
Well, a case could be made that the Owls were treated shabbily in the holiday season dating games of 1996, '97 and 2001, when Rice went a combined 22-12 and wasn't even considered for the postseason once.
But unless they can bounce back from last year's 4-7 ledger with an overachieving crew like the team two years ago that went 8-4, the Owls won't get the chance to find out if anyone gives a hoot.
Hawaii is sure to take notice, since the Warriors always worry about Rice's specialized attack and have to prepare for it early; the teams meet in the Sept. 27 WAC opener for both at Aloha Stadium -- where Rice won 27-24 in 2001.
The equalizer for the bright but undersized boys with the high SATs from Houston is the same one Hatfield has used since his arrival in 1994: the wishbone. Rice has slick senior Kyle Herm (5-foot-8, 175 pounds) to direct the action at quarterback, and junior Greg Henderson (5-10, 190) ready if Herm takes too many hits.
"Both of them are great competitors," Hatfield said of the pair who combined for nearly 900 yards rushing last year. "They're everything you want in a quarterback."
Senior fullback Robbie Beck (5-10, 220) returns as the first option; the threat of him plunging into the line is as important as his bruising runs up the gut; he rushed for 601 yards and eight of his 22 career TDs last fall. Junior Clint Hatfield (5-9, 185) is the top halfback.
Rice will probably throw the ball more this year, lest it waste the talents of sophomore wideout Marcus Battle (5-9, 180). He caught 26 passes for 430 yards and two TDs last season, huge numbers for a Rice receiver. Jeremy Hurd is another dependable pass-catcher on the few occasions he is called upon. Freshman Gary Anderson Jr. (6-1, 190) could find his way into the mix -- if not as a receiver then as a kick returner.
The offensive line returns three starters, giving Rice hopes for an effective attack. Tackle Scott Mayhew (6-6, 300) and guard Micah Meador (6-2, 295), both juniors, provide a solid left side. Seniors man the other side, with Mike Holman (6-3, 290) and Chris DeMunbrun (6-4, 295) at guard and tackle to the right of junior center Ross Huebel (6-2, 270). Tight end is sophomore Joe Don Wood (6-1, 235).
While Rice should be able to move the ball, stopping opponents might be a problem. The Owls lose five of their top six tacklers from last year, including rush end Brandon Green, one of the WAC's best defensive players.
But senior outside linebacker Jeff Vanover (5-11, 210) returns, and he led Rice with 92 stops in 2002. Junior tackle Jeremy Calahan (6-3, 270) and junior free safety Raymorris Barnes (5-9, 170) are the only other starters back on D.
The projected newcomers to the starting 11 are freshman end Jimmy Shaw (6-4, 230), senior nose guard Ross Lassley (6-2, 275), sophomore end John Syptak (6-2, 215), sophomore linebacker Adam Herrin (6-0, 215), junior rover Terry Holley (6-0, 200), sophomore strong safety Michael Merrick (6-0, 195), senior corner Patrick Dendy (6-0, 180) and freshman corner Andray Downs (5-10, 170).
Sophomore Brennan Landry (5-9, 175) does the place-kicking and freshman Jared Scruggs (6-3, 165) is slated to punt.
Hatfield doesn't mind the youthful nature of his squad. Rice underclassmen tend to be mature and cause few off-field problems.
"Our team is going to be a fun team to coach," said Hatfield as he goes into his 25th year as a college head coach. "In some situations with a young team you're always putting out fires. With this one I feel good about the leadership."
Rice Owls
2003 schedule
2002 results
Aug. 30 at Houston Sept. 13 at Duke Sept. 20 Texas Sept. 27 Hawaii Oct. 4 San Jose State Oct. 18 Navy Oct. 25 at Fresno State Nov. 1 Nevada Nov. 8 Tulsa Nov. 15 at Southern Methodist Nov. 22 Texas-El Paso Nov. 29 at Louisiana Tech
4-7 overall, 3-5 WAC Aug. 31 Houston L, 10-24 Sept. 7 at Michigan State L, 10-27 Sept. 21 at Nevada L, 21-31 Sept. 28 Fresno State L, 28-31 Oct. 5 Louisiana Tech W, 37-20 Oct. 12 at Navy W, 17-10 Oct. 19 at Texas-El Paso L, 35-38 Oct. 26 Southern Methodist W, 27-15 Nov. 2 at Tulsa W, 33-18 Nov. 9 at Boise State L, 7-49 Nov. 16 Hawaii L, 28-33
