Venue | Valley Children\u2019s Stadium \u2013 Fresno, CA
TV | CW (Viewing Guide<\/a>)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online<\/a>)<\/p>\n
Gameday cartoon illustrated by Hong Lin Tsai<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sizing up the Contenders<\/p>\n Like Rice, Fresno State is still trying to decipher its place in the college football landscape. The Bulldogs have been blown out by a ranked team (USC), crushed a team that was playing FCS football last year (Sacramento State) and won a close one against a G6 opponent (San Jose State). Saturday marks another litmus test for the Bulldogs to discover where they sit in that hierarchy before Pac-12 play begins in October.<\/p>\n More: Join the Conversation on The Roost Discord<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s dangerous to extrapolate a one-game sample size too far, but Rice football discovered it\u2019s within striking distance of one of the better G6 programs last week. Their task will be finishing and avoiding a 1-3 start. Such a tough opening wouldn\u2019t inhibit the Owls\u2019 aspirations to contend in the American, but it would make for a rather discouraging start to a season that\u2019s had plenty of bright spots, the Notre Dame loss, aside.<\/p>\n Get the Inside Scoop<\/p>\n Get access to practice reports, analysis and special features during the week when you subscribe to our Starting Lineup Tier on Patreon<\/a> today. If you want updates on how Rice football plans to attack this week\u2019s opponent, position battles, standouts, injuries and more, this is your go-to source. Don\u2019t miss out! Join now!<\/p>\n Become a Patron!<\/a><\/p>\n Already a Patron and not part of our Discord channel? Follow these instructions<\/a> to link your account.<\/p>\n Last Time Out<\/p>\n Make sure you check out The Roost Podcast<\/a> every week this season as we review the Owls\u2019 most recent game, breaking down the key moments, decisions and their impact on the outlook of the program moving forward.<\/p>\n Series History<\/p>\n All-Time | Fresno State leads, 6-1 Rice Football Stat Notables<\/p>\n Passing | Brown \u2013 22\/36 (61.1 percent), 203 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT Fresno State Stat Notables<\/p>\n Passing | Mandal \u2013 45\/70 (64.3 percent), 579 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Fresno State X-Factor | Win on Early Downs<\/p>\n Fresno State is one of the worst third-down offenses in the country so far, but it would be a misnomer to blame those struggles solely on their effectiveness in those moments. For example, of the 16 third downs the Bulldogs faced last weekend against San Jose State, 13 of them came from 5+ yards out. That\u2019s just not an effective way to live, particularly against quality defenses.<\/p>\n The numbers might not bear it out just yet, but Rice football has been solid in that phase, if not a tick or two better. Their defensive front has been impressive and their rebuilt secondary has held up against non-Notre Dame competition. At the very least, the Owls have proven they can get off the field on third and long, a claim most decent defenses can share.<\/p>\n The Owls want to control the clock, limit possessions, and force the Bulldogs to be perfect on their conversion attempts. The Broncos\u2019 best counterpunch is to make those tries as easy as possible and that means winning on early downs.<\/p>\n Rice X-Factor | Make Them Earn It<\/p>\n Even when accounting for a handful of deep shots surrendered to Notre Dame, Rice football has been reasonably effective when it comes to keeping the ball in front of them. The Owls have allowed just three run plays of 20+ yards this season and three pass plays of 30+ yards.<\/p>\n The Western Michigan defeat is the perfect example of just how crucial limiting explosives will be for Rice football moving forward. The Broncos had one big pass for 34 yards, which resulted in a touchdown. They had one breakaway run for 66 yards, setting up a drive that ended in another score. That\u2019s two touchdowns on two drives with major explosive plays and two touchdowns on the remaining eight drives combined.<\/p>\n Through three games, Fresno State has not been an explosive offense whatsoever. They have 12 total plays of 20+ yards. That plays right into what Rice wants to do on defense.<\/p>\n Injury Report (Subscribers only)Subscriber content. Please login<\/a> to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.<\/p>\n This content requires $5 membership at Patreon. Subscribe to unlock!<\/p>\n
Last Five | Fresno State leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Hawaii Bowl 2014, Rice won 30-6<\/p>\n
Rushing | Brown \u2013 52 carries, 258 yards (5.0 yds\/car), 1 TD \/ Byars \u2013 31 carries, 146 yards (4.7 yds\/car), 1 TD \/ Hardeman Jr. \u2013 31 carries, 133 yards (4.3 yds\/car), 1 TD \/ Morgan \u2013 7 carries, 54 yards (7.7 yds\/car)
Receiving | Jackson Jr. \u2013 5 receptions, 77 yards (15.4 yds\/rec), 1 TD \/ Clark \u2013 5 receptions, 37 yards (7.4 yds\/rec)
Tackles | Brown \u2013 19 \/ King \u2013 17 \/ Combs \u2013 15
Pass Breakups | Benjamin, Amey \u2013 2 \/ Akui, Ogbor, Brown \u2013 1
Interceptions | Harper \u2013 1<\/p>\n
Rushing | Donelson \u2013 28 carries, 174 yards (6.2 yds\/car), 4 TD \/ Luke \u2013 25 carries, 73 yards (2.9 yds\/car)
Receiving | Freeman \u2013 12 receptions, 195 yards (16.3 yds\/rec), 1 TD \/ Avit \u2013 6 receptions, 161 yards (26.8 yds\/rec), 1 TD \/ Luke \u2013 9 receptions, 62 yards (6.9 yds\/rec), 1 TD
Tackles | Thunderbird \u2013 22 \/ S. Harris \u2013 16 \/ Jacks \u2013 15
Pass Breakups | Mouzon \u2013 2 \/ S. Harris, Jacks, Goodspeed \u2013 1
Interceptions | S. Harris, Tierney \u2013 2, K. Harris \u2013 1<\/p>\n
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<\/a>One Final Thing<\/p>\n