The Memphis Tigers open conference play on Saturday with a home game against the Rice Owls. The Owls are 1-0 in conference play after defeating SMU 56-27 last week.
Rice QB Chase Clement
The Owls are led by 6-1, 210-pound QB Chase Clement, a Davey O’Brien Award Candidate. Clement is making an early case for the award by passing for 24-of-37 for 258 yards and 6 touchdowns against SMU.
Clement is the career leader in TD passes at Rice with 55 coming into the season. He ranks third in attempts (897), completions (506) and yardage (5,666) to Randy Hertel and Tommy Kramer.
Another big weapon is WR Jarett Dillard, a 5-11, 185-pound junior from San Antonio. Dillard is a Heisman Trophy candidate and was named as one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. He set a school record last season with 91 catches and 1,247 receiving yards.
Rice returns its top five rushers, eight of the nine receivers who caught at least 10 passes last year and its top five tacklers.
Here’s a look at the breakdown of what returns this year.
Rushing Yards 98.3%
Passing Yards 99.6%
Receiving Yards 90.4%
Punt Return Yards 100%
Kickoff Return Yards 100%
Interceptions 83.3%
Scoring 98.8%
Total Yards 92.3%
All-Purpose Yards 92.8%
Field Goals 100%
Punting Yards 0%
Tackles 79.4%
Tackles For Loss 69.7%
Sacks 65.8%
Fumble Recoveries 85.7%
Rice WR Jarret Dillard
Rice enters the game with the 4th best scoring offense in the country against the Tigers whose scoring defense is ranked 91st.
Rice opened the season against a weaker opponent for certain, but the Tigers enter this game with a – 5 turnover margin. If they have any hope to win this game the Tigers will have to hold on to the ball.
Memphis leads the series 1-0. Their only meeting was last years exciting game that saw Memphis outscore Rice in the final period to earn a 38-35 win at Rice Stadium. Rice will play in the Liberty Bowl for the first time in school history.
