RICE OWLS NEWS

Boden Groen - Strong start to season Groen accrued five receptions (on seven targets) for 43 yards during Saturday's 34-14 defeat versus Sam Houston State.

Impact Groen was tied for the second most targets on the team -- behind running back Dean Connors -- and caught five passes, something he only did twice last season. In his two seasons at Temple, new Rice quarterback E.J. Warner showed his affinity for tight ends time and time again, and now that has already benefitted Groen early into the 2024 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Kobie Campbell - Scores in Saturday's opener Campbell totaled four receptions (on seven targets) for 53 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 34-14 loss to Sam Houston State.

Impact Campbell scored the Owls' lone touchdown through the air Saturday, a 22-yarder in the second quarter. He received seven targets in the game, tied for the second most behind running back Dean Connors. It was a strong start to the season but it comes with the caveat that presumed No. 1 option Landon Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) sat out the game, so it's unclear where Campbell stands when Ransom-Goelz is able to return.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Sykes - Solid in opener Sykes gathered in 6 of 7 targets for 74 yards during Saturday's 34-14 loss against Sam Houston State.

Impact Sykes led receivers and tight ends in receptions, targets and receiving yards Saturday, a nice way to start the season. Although this production came with Landon Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) sitting out, Sykes still showed he has a strong connection with new quarterback E.J. Warner. Still, Sykes' true place in the Owls' offense will be discovered once Ransom-Goelz is able to return to the field.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Dean Connors - 21 touches in loss Connors logged 12 carries for 52 yards and one touchdown and caught 9 of 10 targets for 30 yards during Saturday's 34-14 defeat against Sam Houston State.

Impact Connors gained 82 yards from scrimmage, but the most note-worthy stat from his outing was his nine receptions. While he only gained 30 yards on those catches, it's a nice sign that he will continue to be used in the passing game even with a new quarterback. Only two other Owls' running backs received a carry in the game -- Christian Francisco (two) and Taji Atkins (one) -- signaling that Connors is the team's workhorse back.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

E.J. Warner - Struggles in debut Warner was 27-for-44 passing for 227 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday's 34-14 defeat to Sam Houston State.

Impact Warner made his first start for Rice Saturday after transferring from another AAC Owls' school, Temple, in the offseason. His debut did not go particularly well as he threw two interceptions and just one touchdown. He had major turnover problems during his two seasons with Temple, but they generally happened versus better defenses than Sam Houston State. He will look to get back on track Saturday versus Texas Southern.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Ransom-Goelz - Sits out Saturday Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) didn't play in Rice's 34-14 loss versus Sam Houston on Saturday.

Impact In Ransom-Goelz' absence, Matt Sykes led the team in receiving with six catches for 74 yards. The Owls will now look to get their top receiver back for next week's game versus Texas Southern.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Ransom-Goelz - Sits out Saturday Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) didn't play in Rice's 34-14 loss versus Sam Houston on Saturday.

Impact In Ransom-Goelz' absence, Matt Sykes led the team in receiving with six catches for 74 yards. The Owls will now look to get their top receiver back for next week's game versus Texas Southern.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Watson throws for 229 yards, 2 TDs, Sam Houston beats Rice 34-14

Hunter Watson threw two touchdown passes and Sam Houston scored twice in 50 seconds to defeat Rice 34-14 in a season-opening matchup

SEPTEMBER 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How to Watch Rice vs. Sam Houston: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – August 31, 2024

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the Rice Owls vs. Sam Houston Bearkats game, Saturday, August 31.

AUGUST 31 • DATA SKRIVE

2024 College football Week 1 predictions, best bets by Chris 'The Bear' Fallica

Week 1 is finally here, and "The Bear" is ready with his best bets and Bear Bytes. Read here to see which underdogs he's backing and which o...

AUGUST 29

Rice vs. Sam Houston Prediction, Odds, Picks - August 31, 2024

Preview the August 31 matchup between the Rice Owls and Sam Houston Bearkats with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and m...

AUGUST 29 • DATA SKRIVE

Drew Devillier - Will serve as backup for Week 1 Devillier will open the 2024 season as the backup quarterback for the Week 1 contest against Sam Houston, according to Sports of SHSU.

Impact Rice will have E.J. Warner as the starting quarterback, but Devillier will be the next man up. A true freshman, Devillier could be an option under center throughout the campaign.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Drayden Dickmann - Starting at wideout Dickmann is listed as a starter on Rice's Week 1 depth chart, Sports of SHSU reports.

Impact Dickmann caught just one pass for -1 yard as a true freshman last fall. Now, however, he's slated to be one of the top pass-catchers for Rice in 2024 alongside Landon Ransom-Goelz and Matt Sykes.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Sykes - Listed as starter Sykes is listed as a starter for Saturday's opener versus Sam Houston State, Sports of SHSU reports.

Impact Sykes is listed as one of the Owls' three starting receivers alongside Drayden Dickmann and Braylen Walker. He appeared in 10 games last season and was targeted six times and made one catch for 32 yards.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Landon Ransom-Goelz - Absent from Week 1 depth chart Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) is not on the depth chart for the Week 1 matchup against Sam Houston on Saturday, according to Sports of SHSU.

Impact Ransom-Goelz recorded 26 catches for 380 yards and three touchdowns in 11 appearances during the 2023 season, so his absence should be troublesome for Rice. If he doesn't play against Sam Houston, his next chance to feature will come against Texas Southern on Sep. 7.

AUGUST 27 • ROTOWIRE

Desert Pines defense stops 2-point conversion in final seconds to beat Centennial Sophomore Marcus Williams rushed for more than 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns tonight for the Desert Pines football team in a 34-33 win...

AUGUST 24 • LASVEGASSUN.COM

2024 Rice football predictions: Ranked No. 111 by RJ Young

Find out where FOX Sports' RJ Young ranks the Rice Owls in his ultimate 134 college football ranking.

AUGUST 11

Former Notre Dame Assistant Coach Headed to Rice A longtime Brian Kelly assistant coach is headed to join Rice's staff

JULY 23 • SI.COM

Coleman Bennett - Part of Rice's football roster Bennett is part of Rice's 2024 roster.

Impact Bennett has transferred to Rice from Bucknell. While enrolled there during 2023, he logged 122 carries for 496 yards and four touchdowns. Bennett also recorded 36 receptions for 340 yards, establishing versatility by doing well as rushing and receiving options.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Top 10 teams to build a dynasty with in EA College Football 25

EA Sports has brought back the college football video game. But which team should you start a dynasty with? FOX Sports Research has you cove...

JULY 16

George Nyakwol, Rice Owls, Cornerback 2015: Was a second-team all-district pick as a junior....2014: Earned first-team all-district honors as a sophomore

JUNE 13 • 247SPORTS.COM

Randall Royall, Rice Owls, Linebacker 2015: Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior

JUNE 13 • 247SPORTS.COM

Miklo Smalls, Rice Owls, Quarterback Miklo Smalls is a 6-1, 203-pound Athlete from Plano, TX.

JUNE 13 • 247SPORTS.COM

Chris Boudreaux, Rice Owls, Wide Receiver Chris Boudreaux is a 6-1, 185-pound Wide Receiver from Beaumont, TX.

JUNE 13 • 247SPORTS.COM

Garrett Grammer, Rice Owls, Linebacker 2015: TSWA Second-Team All-State; AP All-State Honorable Mention

JUNE 13 • 247SPORTS.COM