PAGE 6B
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW
CONNOR OBERKROM
coberkrom@kansan.com
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
Rice displayed more than just a flash of offense when they scored 31 points against Texas &M last week. The team played some incredibly fast college football when it ran 90 plays during the game. Reminiscent of some Big 12 teams, Rice provides a sort of pre-test for what offenses the Jayhawks will face in the future in league play. Rice's quarterback Taylor McHargue finished the A&M game with 180 yards and two touchdowns as Charles Ross ran for 107 yards and scored. McHargue also finished with 78 yards on the ground, showing that he can be a dual-threat quarterback.
POSITION NAME NO. YEAR
QB Taylor McHargue 16 Jr.
RB Charles Ross 12 Jr.
WR Jordan Taylor 15 So.
WR Donte Moore 81 Jr.
TE Connor Cella 87 Sr.
WR Andre Gautreaux 83 Jr.
OT Jon Hodde 79 Jr.
OT Caleb Williams 74 Fr.
OG Nico Carlson 55 So.
OG Andrew Reue 77 Fr.
C Nate Richards 53 Jr.
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING
Hardcore Kansas football fans should know that Rice's kicker Chris Boswell kicked the game-winning field goal at Memorial Stadium as time expired last year. During the A&M game last Saturday, he was 1-for-2 in punts including a 43-yarder.
Rice head coach David Bailiff led the team to its second bowl victory in six years last season when he beat Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, making him only the second coach to lead the Owls to multiple bowl games. Bailiff is a solid coach who is looking to get back on track after a rough loss. Expect Rice to be more than ready here; with the team facing their second straight year against Kansas, they know they can match up.
Rice will return 10 starters on defense this week. Although they gave up 52 points to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies, they still feature experienced players. Senior safety Corey Frazier and sophomore defensive tackle Christian Covington, who have been picked for preseason All-Conference USA by the coaches, have been the main factors of an athletic and physical Rice defense.
POSITION NAME NO. YEAR
DE Cody Bauer 90 Jr.
DE Tanner Leland 13 Jr.
NT Stuart Mouchantaf 92 Jr.
DT Christian Convington 56 Fr.
LB James Radcliffe 10 So.
LB Cameron Nwosu 57 Sr.
CB Bryce Callahan 29 So.
CB Phillip Gaines 15 Jr.
S Gabe Baker 40 So.
S Paul Porras 24 Jr.
S Julius White 7 Sr.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Rice's coaching staff is abundant with former Jayhawks. Three of the four Owls' graduate assistant coaches are Kansas alumni. In addition, Rice's offensive coordinator/running backs coach, John Reagan, was a member of the Kansas coaching staff for five seasons under Mark Mangino.
Phillip Gaines: Gaines was out of the opener against A&M, who was tabbed a Preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and was consensus All-Conference USA selection after leading the league. He also finished second nationally with 18 pass breakups in 2012. He looks to get Rice's defense back on track and is the physical safety who might cause problems in the Kansas offense.
AT A GLANCE
BY THE NUMBERS
+9 Point differential for Rice in the 4th quarter against Kansas last year
509 Total yards Rice had in week one against A&M.
10 Rice's starters returned on defense
Edited by Sarah Kramer
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Junior halfback Ty Pierre runs through a gap between Defenders during the Sept. 8, 2012 game. Kansas will face Rio again on Saturday.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF ...
Rice beats the Jayhawks. Rice is certainly good, but if Kansas wants to change how they are perceived, a victory is a must. A win here can accomplish many things; it will not only end a 19-game losing streak on the road,but it will continue to help Kansas football trend upward as a program.
COACHING
While Rice got a little roughed up, momentum shouldn't matter for them with the experience they have and 19 of 23 starters.
QUESTION MARKS
Will Rice break Kansas' hearts once again? Rice last year was brutal as they came back from 13-24 to win the game. Also, can Rice's offenses be as good against Kansas as it was in College Station? Rice will be playing at home for the first time this season and will be comfortable in their offense. Especially off a bye week, look for them to be well-rested and fastpaced.
Rice running back Turner Peterson scores a touchdown during the Sept. 8, 2012, game at Memorial Stadium. Kansas lost the game 24-25.
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
THE U
SOCCER
STELLI
sliang
Ka av
MLE