It's Texas time....

This John Churchill Chase cartoon graced the program cover for the 1958 Rice-Texas game played before 70,000-plus at Rice Stadium.   The cartoon proved prescient, for Sammy indeed hosed the Longhorns that evening, to the tune of 34-7 -- one of the more one-sided Rice wins in the history of the series

Despite summer doldrums, whiff of football in air

HOUSTON (Sept. 2) -- With any luck it might have hit the reader within the last couple of days.  It might have happened with a sudden, startling awakening at 3 o'clock in the morning.  It could have taken place while mowing the grass or watering the lawn, and getting just the faintest whiff of fall in the air.

Owlook

Whatever the case, just a week or so ago, the Dog Days of August hung over local heads as if they were never going to go away.  The oppressive heat had minds far away from any thought of the Boys of Autumn. The summer felt as if it were never going to end.

But then it happened.  Like the first crocus of spring in more northerly climes, the notion that the college football season loomed suddenly burst forth like a ton of bricks. And for fans of the Rice Owls, that ton of bricks takes the personage of Mack Brown and his Texas Longhorns, who tee up against the Institute Boys at 2:30 Saturday in Reliant Stadium (ESPN).

And what a way to begin a season.  Texas comes into the season opener merely ranked fifth or sixth in the country, depending upon whom you ask. Actually, there are at least a few question marks for this year's edition of Mack's Original Professional Hour, starting with a lightly-tested quarterback.  But for Texas,  the size, and speed, and raw talent are there in phalanges, as usual.
Continues....                Rice two-deep depth chart....

MK alights at Fox Sports Houston
x
A familiar face was seen in his familiar perch on the front row at Monday's Rice football media lunch.  That's right, it was the inimitable MK Bower, just as full of energy -- and compound/ complex questions -- as always. 

He told us that he will 'definitely' be the written word reporter to FSH's web site.  But beyond that, there's the little matter of Rice's new weekly sports TV show.  He's apparently in the running for at least some kind of role on that show.  Needless to say, whatever else is put up as programming, die-hard Owl fans will consider the show a much more indispensible product if MK's familiar locks show up on it regularly.

At this juncture, it wouldn't appear out of line for Owl fans to call and email Fox Sports Houston management and just let it know how central this guy has been to all aspects of Rice sports media coverage the past several years.  Now note that MK specifically did NOT request any such email/phone campaign -- but we're perfectly capable of dialing up something like on our own. 

What say you?  Would you like to see MK participate on the weekly Rice sports program on Fox Sports Houston?|
--P.T.H.
Wrapping things up....

Freshman WR/KR Andy Erickson wraps up a pass as defender Tolu Akinwumi hones in; the Owls next move into Game Week mode with a 'mock game' scrimmage set for 3 p.m. Friday at Rice Stadium (Mark Anderson photo)
Separation....(story below)
About the only 'separation' that occurred among Rice quarterback hopefuls during Friday night's scrimmage was the separation visited upon them by the Owl defense; here Phillip Gaines makes the pick of a fade route by Taylor Cook; the QB situation remains muddled as the countdown to opening game begins to tick down (PTH photo)

Effort there, but uncertainty reigns at Friday scrimmage

Shane Turner manages to holds onto the pill as he crosses goal in Friday's scrimmage action (PTH photo)

HOUSTON (Aug. 20) – While there were lessons to be gleaned from the performance of the Rice Owls in Friday evening’s scrimmage, none of the principal pupils particularly distinguished themselves in going to the head of the class.

Perhaps it was primarily due to the free substitutions and personnel experimentation – too many x’s and o’s to move around the field to present a truly comparable situation for each quarterback hopeful.

But whatever the case, this simply was not a night for jumping to conclusions. August two-a-days thus far have shown that the Owls clearly have improved their athleticism quotient; and greater depth means the number of players competing for each set of positions is larger than any time during either the Bailiff era (or the Graham mini-era).

Several Owl running backs performed conspicuously well Friday, but the quarterbacks failed to provide conclusive evidence for or against any individual case.
Continues....

OG, Anthony Rendon to flip coin, grid greats to stand in
(RiceOwls.com -- Sept. 3)
Are you ready for some football?  Watch this, and you will be
(YouTube -- Sam McGuffie mixtape)
Five storylines to watch against Texas
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Sept. 3)
Oregon State's Rogers brothers might've landed at Rice
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 3)
Rice transfers came after tossing in towel at other schools
(Austinist -- Sept. 3)
Owls' math proficiency will help keep track of UT scoring
(The Bleacher Report -- Sept. 3)
Look at depth chart shows Bailiff has built sturdy foundation
(Fox Sports Houston <MK> -- Sept. 3)
Inexperience can lead to unpredictable results
(Longhorn Digest -- Sept. 3)
Finally for Rice fans, McGuffie, the moment is here
(FoxSports.com -- Sept. 3)
Mack:  'All the pressure is on Texas'
(Dallas Morning News -- Sept. 3)
Last season did not go according to plan for Owls
(News8Austin -- Sept. 3)
Mack wants 'downhill' running attack
(FoxSports.com -- Sept. 3)
Garrett Gilbert era starts Saturday against Rice
(Dallas Morning News -- Sept. 3)
A look at the wide receivers
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Sept. 3)
This year's team aims to return to greatness
(The Rice Thresher -- Sept. 3)
Former walk-on Bradshaw says hard work is what it takes
(The Rice Thresher -- Sept. 3)
C-USA slate the measure of this season's success
(The Rice Thresher -- Sept. 3)
This next-generation Casey is a Cannon
(The Rice Thresher -- Sept. 3)
Rice has lots of get up and go at WR
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 2)
Owls lose key player, but still have upset hopes
(Houston Press -- Sept. 2)
Being better doesn't exactly translate to beating Texas
(Dallas Morning News -- Sept. 2)
Ten things that are different in 2010
(Owl Sports Watch -- Sept. 2)
No lightweights on September slate for Owls
(CSS Sports -- Sept. 1)
Cheta ready to assume mentor role
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Sept. 1)
Longhorns will need to be on their toes
(The Bleacher Report -- Sept. 1)
Owls, Longhorns hook up in Houston
(Action News Jacksonville -- Sept. 1)
Horns open on road for first time in 15 years
(Dallas Morning News/AP -- Sept. 1)
Bailiff reunites with mentor, Texas coach Brown
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 1)
May the best quarterback win
(FoxSportsHouston.com <MK> -- Sept. 1)
McGuffie ready to run again
(Austin American Statesman -- Sept. 1)
Scouting the 'Horns opponent:  the Rice Owls
(Austin American Statesman -- Sept. 1)
Less than 9,000 tix remain for Rice-Texas
(Austin American Statesman -- Sept. 1)
Don't use Rice-Texas as yardstick
(FoxSportsHouston.com  <MK> -- Aug. 31)
Rice flashback:  Owls 19, Horns 17
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Aug. 31)
Longhorn offensive line is US Prime
(Owl Sports Watch -- Aug. 31)
Texas OL is 'physical and nasty'
(Dallas Morning News -- Aug. 31)
Kraftwerk, condescension, baguettes, unfiltered cigarettes
(BarkingCarnival.com -- Aug. 31)
Rice is starting over in the back seven
(Burnt Orange Nation -- Aug. 31)
DB:   Longhorns have bunch of 'future Hall of Famers'
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Aug. 31)
Bailiff's plan is to keep Texas guessing
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 31)
Random thoughts on Mac's presser
(Austin American Statesman -- Aug. 31)
Why Case McCoy won backup job -- and should he play early?
(Dallas Morning News -- Aug. 31)
Breakfast with Bevo:  for starters
(Austin American Statesman -- Aug. 31)
Is 'Horns' running game shaping up?
(Dallas Morning News -- Aug. 31)
Game week has arrived for Texas Longhorns
(WeAreAustin.com -- Aug. 31)
Cody Johnson listed as 'horns RB starter for Rice
(Dallas Morning News -- Aug. 31)
Justice:  I'm for the Aggies this year
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 31)
Owls a year older, wiser after forgettable '09 campaign
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 29)
Scott Mitchell added to Lombardi watch list
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 28)
With Solomon out, DL must step up
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 27)
Quick grasp of offense crucial for Horns' success
(Bellingham, Wash., Herald -- Aug. 27)
McGuffie, Ross shine in scrimmage
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Aug. 26)
Solomon injured, to miss 6-8 weeks
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 26)
Can Rice rise again?
(Bleacher Report -- Aug. 26)
Horns eye Owls on horizon
(Austin American Statesman -- Aug. 26)
Garrett Gilbert ready to get it done for 'Horns
(MVP Texas -- Aug. 26)
Hardly a doom, gloom situation for Texas
(Sports Chat Place -- Aug. 25)
Key for Rice is the attitude
(Houston Press -- Aug. 25)
Ticket update, other info on Texas game
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Aug. 24)
What predictions to believe?
(Houston Chronicle   <JD> -- Aug. 23)
Waiting on a number one
(Owl Sports Watch -- Aug. 22)
Stocked backfield creates new challenge
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 21)
No decision at quarterback
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 21)
Finally...a successful fade route
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 21)
Early notes from Friday scrimmage
(Houston Chronicle <JD> -- Aug. 20)

Anyway, about those quarterbacks...

Rice's three quarterback hopefuls -- Taylor Cook (L), Nick Fanuzzi (C) and Taylor McHargue (R) -- all of them talented,  each with his own set of advantages, and all of them bound and determined to charge to the head of the class, will duke it out for the starting spot during the remaining two-a-day drills this month (Mark Anderson photo)

Trio of talented hopefuls contest for starting spot
X
By Mark Anderson
X
HOUSTON (Aug. 18) -- It’s a common truism that a football team tends to rise or fall to the level of its competition.

Of course that "competition" typically refers to the team on the other side of the ball, rather than the intrafamilial, internecine strife that inevitably crops up during August two-a-days, among teammates jockeying for position.

In point of fact, if a football team is to rise—or in the avian context, soar—it all begins with the guy who initiates each and every offensive play, the quarterback. Going into fall practice, last year’s starring Rice quarterback, Nick Fanuzzi was named by head coach Coach David Bailiff as the starter approaching two-a-days. However, Nick has some real competition on his hands for the starter’s job, and he knows it.

We’re not talking about one quarterback challenging for the job—we’re talking the Taylor twins, Taylor Cook and Taylor McHargue.
Continues....

DB lauds Owl 'blue collar' work ethic in scrimmage

Speaking of 'separation,' Rice running back Charles Ross separates his defender from helmet in gaining extra yardage during Saturday's scrimmage action; the sturdy soph had the day's biggest offensive play, a 55-yard pass-and-run on a slip screen from Taylor Cook (PTH photo)

HOUSTON (Aug. 14) – The Rice Owls engaged in their first controlled scrimmage of the young fall pre-season Saturday morning, and the result was pleasing to their coaching brain trust.

"I really thought from the start to the end, that it was a blue- collar attitude, and that these guys came out here ready to work," Rice head coach David Bailiff said afterwards. "It was hot, it was steamy, and I think they put all that beside them, and they just wanted to play football."

The first 30 minutes of the scrimmage were spent on the punting game, as, for the first time, Owl punt return hopefuls fielded punts and went until the whistle.

"The defense is a little ahead of the offense right now, as it should be," Coach Bailiff said. "I think we are tackling right now defensively a lot better than we have in the past; but that's been encouraging to see us tackle in space. But the offense is still installing, and we've got to get everybody on the same page."
Continues....

Whether that will translate into any additional fannies in the seats at Rice Stadium this fall will depend, in large part, upon whether the rosy outlook presented by the two honchos actually comes to fruition, at least in part, once the season begins. But at the St. Arnold Brewery Thursday evening, the Rice Owl football team was undefeated, untied and unscored upon.

New Rice AD and erstwhile Mystery Man Greenspan plied the crowd first, and, while speaking in generalities and platitudes, did tantalize the Flock faithful with a hint that football facilities improvements are in the semi-immediate, if not immediate, offing.
Continues...

Are you ready?

...FOR SOME FOOTBALL, THAT IS....Rice head coach David Bailiff meets and greets Owl fans at Thursday night's 'Rice Roundup' gathering at St. Arnold's Brewery.... more photos (PTH photo)
Calling it a spring....

Denzel Wells flashes some bicep and some shiftiness as he turns corner after pass reception in spring game (PTH photo)

Blue 47, Grey 41

Skill positions excel with big plays while defense takes back seat to quarterbacks battle; McGuffie bides time, explodes


Late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's Spring Game, Rice running back Sam McGuffie shucks his would-be tackler en route to a 70-yard catch-and-run that had Owl fans in lthe stands ooh'ing and ah'ing (Mark Anderson photo)

Tyler Smith ran hard, leading all rushers with 53 yards in seven carries (PTH photo)

HOUSTON (Mar. 27) – Would it be that the last big play late in the fourth quarter of this Rice Spring Game turned out to be the first presentiment of big things to come in the fall.

Not content to rest on a ho-hum day of 10 yards in seven carries, supertransfer Sam McGuffie exploded for a 70-yard pass-and-run that caused by far the biggest cheers, and gasps, of the day among the several hundred onlookers.

The sophomore running back previously had been frustrated by, shall we say, offensive line ‘issues,’ and spent much of his time dancing around the backfield looking for a crease to dash through.  But this time, he took matters into his own hands, reversing his field after hauling in a short pass from Michael Poynter, breaking several tackles  as he roared down the opposite sideline.

Thus unfolded the major highlight of a stylized ‘game,’ in some ways, though, actually, a hyper-controlled scrimmage, which ended with the offense on the prevailing side of a 47-41 score, calculated as much by defensive stops and big plays as by offensive scoring.

That one play diverted somewhat from the major offensive goings-on of the day, and that was the battle of the two Taylors.
Continues....

Owl offense will sport different look, feel
(OwlsSportsWatch -- Aug. 10)
Owls will have chance to start off season with a bang
(Houston Press -- Aug. 10)
N.D. Kalu interview with Coach Bailiff
(SportsRadio610 -- Aug 9)
'We had another great practice tonight'
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 9)
Bigger, faster, stronger
(OwlSportsWatch -- Aug. 8)
Attitude adjustment easy to spot with Owls
(Houston Chronicle <JM> -- Aug. 7)
McGuffie center of attention at Rice media day
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 7)
Ready to make those calls?  DB to debut radio show Aug. 30
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 7)
'We expect to go to a bowl game'
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 7)
Media Day on-field video clips
(RiceOwls.com -- Aug. 7)
Casey growing more confident for Texans
(Houston Chronicle -- Aug. 7)
That sound was Sammy falling off his perch
(College Football News -- Aug. 5)
Rice will depend on transfer running back
(Memphis Commercial Appeal -- Aug. 4)
Princeton Review:  Rice rates first in 'best quality of life' -- again
(KHOU.com -- Aug. 3)
2010 position analysis:  cornerbacks
(OwlSportsWatch -- July 31)
Rice hopes to rebound from rebuilding year
(OpposingViews.com -- July 28)
Cook one of three Miami QB transfers
(The Bleacher Report -- July 28)
McGuffie could emerge as Rice backfield weapon
(The Bleacher Report -- July 28)
Owls, though much better, should struggle to reach .500
(Houston Sports Examiner -- July 27)
Owl fans can hope experience will help improve team
(Tulsa World -- July 26)
Rice football 2010:  Questions for August
(OwlSportsWatch.com -- July 25)
McGuffie a key for Rice
(Texas Football -- July 23)
Owls win C-USA academic honor for fifth straight year
(Houston Chronicle -- July 20)
Rice up first in easy non-conf schedule for Texas
(Dallas Morning News -- July 13)
Rookie no longer, Thor reflects on soph year in NFL
(HoustonTexans.com -- July 13)
Rice-Texas: what the challenge does to us
(The Capstone Report -- July 8)
Last year was Bailiff's ultimate rebuilding year
(The Bleacher Report -- July 1)
McGuffie a player who benefited from transfer
(Orlando Sentinel -- June 24)
How One Small School  (Rice) Navigated Realignment....
(Wall Street Journal)
AD Rick Greenspan KILT interview ....
(KILT.com -- June 17)
Chase working out with UFL's Vegas team
(Houston Chronicle -- June 16)
Five Owls on DCTF All-Texas team
(RiceOwls.com -- June 15)
Rice pledges allegiance to C-USA
(Houston Chronicle -- June 15)
LSU's Prater to transfer to Rice
(LSU Daily Reveille -- June 13)
Fatherhood keeps Thor's mind off injury
(Houston Chronicle -- June 10)
Owls should benefit from sudden talent influx
(FoxSports.com -- June 1)
Rice outlook can't be much better in '11
(Orlando Sentinel -- May 16)
This Dallasite likes Rice Stadium road trip
(The Bleacher Report -- May 2)
C-USA announces future bowl schedule
(ConferenceUSA.com -- April 29)
Sendejo knows he'll have to earn his spot
(FoxSports.com -- April 8)
Sendejo looks to the future
(Houston Chronicle <JM> -- April 7)
Spring wrapup:  Injured defense soldiers on
(OwlSportsWatch -- April 3)
Spring wrapup:  'A really great spring,' according to DB
(OwlSportsWatch -- April 2)
Spring drills prove uneventful -- but in a positive way
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 31)
Sam McGuffie is ready for his return
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 30)
'Sam always has been the heart of the family'
(Sports Illustrated -- March 29)
Owls kept it close to the vest Saturday
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 28)
Rice spring game turns into Taylor-made day
(Houston Chronicle -- Mar. 28)
McGuffie and McDonald impress
(CollegeFootballFantasyInsider - Mar. 28)
Offense shines in spring game
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 27)

Owls scrimmage in the drizzle

The Rice Owls got in a 90-minute controlled scrimmage Tuesday afternoon on the HRS turf while rain softly fell; here, Sam McGuffie slashes through the line for first-down yardage while three Owl defenders converge to bring him down (PTH photo)

Coach Beaty: 'We've got three very talented guys'
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 22)
A handful of Owls stand out on film
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 19)
Schedule offers intrigue,  but will it attract fans?
(Houston Press -- Mar. 19)
DB pleased with scrimmage
(Houston Chronicle -- Mar. 18)
McGuffie puts on a show
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 17)
Video clips of Tuesday's scrimmage
(RiceOwls.com -- Mar. 17)
McGuffie says it's only a scrimmage
(Houston Chronicle <JM> -- Mar. 16)
Next season's Homecoming game will decide Bucket
(RiceOwls.com -- Mar. 16)
Upcoming schedule begins with (sort of) home game with UT
(Houston Chronicle -- Mar. 16)
Scrimmage number one: what to watch
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 15)

And they're off and running....
Competition keen as first week of drills winds down

WHO'LL GO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS?   No shortage of talented prospects at the quarterback spot for Owls this spring (PTH photo)

HOUSTON (Mar. 12) – The first week of Rice football spring drills is in.  It’s really much too early to begin drawing any material conclusions, but nevertheless at least a few distinct impressions were left in the air by the routine visited by the Owls in four trips to the field, the first in the rain to the Texans’ practice bubble, the second in shorts and helmets, and the next two in pads, but with less than unbridled contact.

A viewing of a couple of these first-week sessions calls to mind something in the nature of an early-morning trip out to the racetrack paddock.  Assistant coaches were like earnest grooms and trainers, here and there putting their steeds through the traces and paces.  Frisky young racers were feeling their oats, and a general air of expectation exhibited.  There was an air of routine, but also a sense of anticipation.

It was impossible to avoid thinking about, and keeping the eyes peeled for, two men who the racing forms have charted as potential  Big Winners.  You know who they are.  Soph transfers Taylor Cook and Sam McGuffie loom large over the proceedings, both literally and figuratively.
Continues....

As comfortable as an old shoe

New Rice Athletic Director Rick Greenspan was introduced to gathered press and university officials at an R-Room press conference Friday morning, and the overwhelming consensus was, 'this guy's a great fit' (PTH photo)

Greenspan named Rice's new AD
(RiceOwls.com --Mar. 12)
Leebron:  AD hire represents commitment
(Houston Chronicle -- Mar. 12)
Rick Greenspan:  'A clarity of commitment'
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Mar. 12)
Rice hires former Indiana AD Greenspan
(Dallas Morning News/AP -- Mar. 12)
Greenspan gets 4-year contract at Rice
(MyFoxHouston -- Mar. 12)
'The most capable, competent and professional...'
(KPRC News 2 Houston -- Mar. 12)
Rice hires Greenspan as new athletics director
(Indianapolis Star -- Mar. 12)
A reasoned, and resounding, debunk of Greenspan naysayers
(Indianapolis Star -- Jun. 27, 2008)

If we had to take a guess...

...we'd make a wild stab to the effect that a major emphasis for the Rice offense this spring will be protecting the football - just a hunch, as Owls gathered for their first Rice Stadium workout of spring drills Tuesday afternoon (PTH photo)

Show of strength

Rice running back Tyler Smith strains to top out lift for his weight class -- a feat made especially impressive considering his reconstructed knee -- as fans look on during Monday's "Night of the Iron Owl" competition (PTH photo)

Rice Recruiting Roundup '10

Rice hauls in all 16 recruits; Coach says several will be ready to play in September

Rice head coach David Bailiff faces phalanx of video cameras during Wednesday's signing day press conference (PTH photo)

(NEWS FLASH:  It's 16 for 16, as Austin Lake Travis'  Trevor Gillette  has faxed his LOI as of 5:10 p.m.  No prodigal here.)

HOUSTON (Feb. 3) – In days of yore, the story is told, the biblical paterfamilias was more concerned about loss of a single prodigal son than the rest of his number who stayed with the family fold.  That concept apparently is inoperable these days, at least in the eyes of Rice head coach David Bailiff, who earlier today welcomed 15 of his 16 verbal pledges to ink-bound letters of intent, with nary a tone of regret for the missing.

MIA thus far was late re-confirmee Trevor Gillette, but the all the remaining verbal pledges made good on their promises, and among them, Coach Bailiff said, are several lads who should be able to contribute immediately, come next season.

“This is a class that will add immediate depth to our team next fall,” Coach Bailiff said. “There are some very talented players who have benefited greatly from the tremendous job that the high school coaches in the state do in terms of preparing players for the next level.  This is a group that has experienced tremendous success on the field, but they also have excelled in the classroom, which makes them all a great fit for Rice,” he added.

The 15 players include seven  from the greater Houston area, in addition to a pair of players from both San Antonio and Austin.  Two played on state championship teams, including one  (Andy Ericsson) who was part of three consecutive 4A Division One state titles at Austin Lake Travis, ending his career with a 46-0 record.

Spring football features first day in full pads
(RiceOwls.com -- Mar. 11)
Report former Indiana AD will take Rice job....
(Fox 26 News -- Mar. 11)
Rice to hire former Indiana AD Greenspan
(Houston Chronicle -- Mar. 11)
Greenspan AD announcement could come on Friday
(KHOU-TV.com -- Mar. 11)
Rick Greenspan and how you'll remember him
(Hoosier Scoop -- Dec. 30, 2008)
Texan cams follow Thor to school
(HoustonTexans.com -- Mar. 11)
Big difference in the way this team practices
(Owl Sports Watch--Mar. 10)
Spring practice:  80 players deep
(RiceOwls.com -- Mar. 10)
Report:  Rice considering AD hopefuls from USC, Stanford
(Fox26 News -- Mar. 9)
Spring practice notes:  Day 1
(Owl Sports Watch -- Mar. 9)
McGuffie in line for playing time
(AnnArbor.com- Mar. 8)
Former Rice star a candidate for open AD position
(KHOU-TV.com-- Mar. 7)
ISU AD to Rice:  'No thanks'
(KRIV 26 news -- March 3)
Rice's Taylor Cook a QB transfer to watch
(ESPN -- March 3)|
Zenger to stay at Illinois State
(Bloomington Pantagraph -- March 2)
Rice begins interview process for next AD
(Houston Chronicle --  Feb. 28))
Leebron muses over football stadium possibilities
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 28)
Bailiff optimistic about next season
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 25)
Night of the Iron Owl a supercharged event
(Owl Sports Watch -- Feb. 23)
Owls get big lift from competition
(RiceOwls.com -- Feb. 22)
Casey back at Rice, same apartment, car
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 17)
Two local HS football icons now with Rice program
(RiceOwls.com -- Feb. 16)
DB announces his restructured staff
(RiceOwls.com -- Feb. 11)
'Two-minute Tommy' had NFL future in his crosshairs
(Waco Tribune-Herald -- Feb. 6)
Bailiff firmly in control
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Feb. 4)
Rice goes 100 per cent Texan with signees
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 4)
Despite tough season, a strong class
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Feb. 4)
Rice signs 16; adds former QB as coach
(KHOU-TV -- Feb. 4)
Clement trades 9-to-5 for film study
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 4)
Gillette signs with Rice over OU
(MyFoxHouston.com -- Feb. 3)
Owls add 15 from Texas (list/comments)
(RiceOwls.com -- Feb. 3)
Things look substantially brighter for 2010
(Texas Football -- Feb. 3)
Houston-area players committed to Rice (video)
(Houston Chronicle -- Feb. 3)
Rice signs two Red River Valley players
(Paris, Tx, News -- Feb. 3)
It's signing day:  do you know where your commits are?
(Houston Chronicle <KM> -- Feb. 3)
Owl Sports Watch Signing Day Central
(Rice Rivals message board thread -- Feb. 3)
Rice Signing Day press conference info
(RiceOwls.com -- Feb. 3)
MK goes down the list of signees
(RiceOwls.com <MK> -- Feb. 3)
Scout.com Rice signing list
(Rice.Scout.com -- Feb. 3)

Time to sign up for EPC, Counselor

Rice senior linebacker Terrrance Garmon, who's law school bound, shares a smile with Coach Bailiff as he receives his jersey during Saturday night's football banquet festivities (Mark Anderson photo)

Owls get their Beaty back
Well-liked former assistant now in as OC

'We're ready to get after it'      New Rice offensive coordinator and old friend David Beaty, seen here in Kansas Jayhawks purple, is already on campus and involved with Rice's recruiting (KU SID photo)

HOUSTON (Jan. 21) – Rice head coach David Bailiff made it official Wednesday: former Rice assistant coach David Beaty is indeed returning to the Flock, this time as the Owls’ offensive coordinator.

Beaty originally came to the Owls with Todd Graham in 2006, but was  one of only a couple holdovers from the Graham coaching staff when David Bailiff took over at the helm for Rice the following year.

Beaty’s efforts during the interregnum and then as a staffer for Bailiff were considered crucial in retaining key members of the ‘07 recruiting class, and there was wailing and gnashing of teeth on South Main when the former Irving McArthur high school coach left to take a higher-paid position on the University of Kansas coach Mark Mangino’s staff after the ‘07 season.

Such was the extent of approval and even outright affection for Beaty’s personality and coaching skills among Owl players, fans, and, for that matter, David Bailiff and his assistants.
Continues....