Rice vs FAU: Preview and Players

By: Rich Douglas

Rice has fallen to 1-2 on the season despite putting up some gutsy performances against some good competition.  Their hopes in C-USA play really begin with being able to beat an FAU squad that play competitively a week after picking up their first win against MTSU.  It’s a battle for who is the better Owl.

When Rice has the ball:

The Owls have averaged 5.4 yards per play on offense this season, and have scored on every red zone trip they’ve made.  The downside is that they’ve only made 9 trips in their three games so far, and the kicking game has been erratic (57.1% converted).  QB Taylor McHargue has been erratic this season, averaging just 6 yards per attempt with 5 Ints and just a 55.2% completion rate.  He hasn’t inspired much confidence in the maroon zone, completing only 10 of his 24 attempts with 141 total yards with 2 TDs and 2 Ints. The big play threat is present though, with both Dennis Parks and Turner Petersen averaging big gains at 18.8 and 20.4 yards per catch respectively. Luckily the run game has been there to make up for it, lead by Senior Charles Ross.  Ross has a 5.8 yards per attempt average and has scored 4 times.  He also has 12 runs of 10 yards or more, and has averaged 3.6 yards per carry in the red zone. 

The FAU defense has kept opponents from going too wild, allowing just 5.7 yards per play and limiting red zone success to just 76.5%.  They average 5.25 tackles for loss per game, lead by LB Adarious Glanton.  Glanton has 4.5 TFL amongst his 35 stops, which also leads the team.  The defensive front needs help pressuring opposing passers, with a 6.1% adjusted sack rate, with only 3 QB hurries on the season.  The secondary has some ball hawking capability, lead by D’Joun Smith who has 2 Ints and 6 passes defended with 11 tackles.

When FAU has the ball:

The Owls offense has not gone so much this season.  QB Jaquez Johnson play average ball, completing 60% of his passes, but for only 5.6 yards per attempt with 4 Ints to 3 TDs.  The offensive line hasn’t helped him much, allowing 7 sacks and 11 hurries so far on his 96 dropbacks.    The lack of a true deep threat hasn’t hurt the team in its ability to convert third downs, where they've converted at a 43% rate.  Top wideouts William Dukes and Daniel Mckinney  have each converted all of their third down catches for first downs.   RB Jonathon Wallace has averaged 4.3 yards per carry, and has 4 runs of 10 yards or more. 

Rice has not played very good defense on the surface.  They’ve given up 6.2 Yards per play on offense and allowed teams to score every time they’ve reached the red zone.  They’ve been able to rack up 16 tackles for loss in their 3 contests, lead by Christian Covington, a sophomore DT who has 4.5 stops in the backfield.  The secondary has played well despite getting almost no pass rush, defending 19 passes so far.  Paul Porras and Julius White each have 4 passes defended, and Bryce Callahan has an Int to go with his 3 pass break ups.  LB Michhael Kutzler leads the team with 23 tackles and has 2 sacks with an Int as a do it all player. 

What’s our take:

The books opened with Rice as heavy favorites, and they have looked the part at times this year.  And FAU’s offense just does not score, getting themselves bogged down some penalties (115 yards handed back)and a completely nonexplosive passing game.  But Rice’s defense hasn’t been strong, barely holding on against KU, and Taylor McHargue has been pretty underwhelming.  Rice should still win, but we wouldn’t be surprised if its closer than people expect.