A Very Rainy Day
McIntosh Throws 5 Interceptions in 34-14 Defeat
The Rice Owls went into Ruston, Louisiana hoping to get back in the win column after an out-of-nowhere loss to Kansas the previous week. But a rainy day in Ruston was the key catalyst for Rice's failure to capitalize on offense.
In the first quarter, LA Tech began using the no huddle quickly to keep Rice's defense on the field, but Rice was able to hang on and stop the Bulldogs on their first drive. Rice's first drive saw McIntosh begin to throw the ball consistently and the Bulldogs seemed to have no answer...at first.
But in the blink of an eye, a slip up turned into an interception in the end zone. Rice WR Robinson slipped as he was getting ready to look for the ball. LA Tech CB Hayes took advantage and caught the ball in the end zone and fell immediately to give LA Tech the ball.
LA Tech would continue their no huddle offense and found success pulling a page right out of UCLA's handbook; having the QB wait in the pocket for an opportune time to scramble out. QB Fuller quickly got a TD pass out to WR Atkins to give LA Tech a 7-0 lead. Rice would again drive down the field, and another WR slipup ended with another INT for LA Tech. LA Tech would go down the field quickly again as Fuller threw another TD pass to WR Thompson to give LA Tech a 14-0 lead. To end the half, Fuller was throwing downfield again, but was intercepted this time around by Rice CB Johnson, whom ran the ball back 70 yards for a TD to get Rice back in the game at halftime.
To start the third quarter, Rice began employing the no huddle similar to what LA Tech was doing and found success in doing so...for only one drive. That drive would be the only offensive TD Rice scored the entire game, a 25 yard pass to WR Jackson. LA Tech would only score a FG in the third quarter to make it 17-14.
In the fourth, things got way out of hand as Rice was desperate to move the ball. Rice was getting nowhere on the ground and had no choice but to try through the air. McIntosh would get picked off again in the red zone to start the fourth as La Tech SS Webb returned the ball 98 yards for a TD. Rice was unable to find anymore consistency; whether it was a bad pass, a WR slipup, or pressure from LA Tech's defense, the Owls had everything go wrong. McIntosh would throw two more interceptions within the last couple of minutes and LA Tech capitalized with a couple scores, one of them a 26-yard scramble by backup QB Rogers.
Rice Head Coach Jim Shenanigans was upset at all of his linemen after the game. "As bad as the stats looked for our QB, our linemen on both sides were a major problem today. On offense, the line was literally pancaked; we still can't seem to find a solid running game for this very reason, and it doesn't matter what play we do, we just can't get our RB any room to run. Defensively, the QB once again was able to sit back and then either run out as our DL was held up or throw a very open pass after our secondary was worn down."
"We can't continue to offensively rely on the QB all the time; we have to find a way to get our RB loose. Our defense can't continue to give the QB ample time in the pocket to do whatever he wants. Games are always said to be won in the trenches, and that is why we have been struggling so far this year."
Notable Stats
Passing
Rice QB McIntosh - 21/48, 284 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT
LA Tech QB Fuller - 18/23, 227 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Rice RB Davis - 10 for 22 yards
LA Tech QB Fuller - 15 for 67 yards
LA Tech QB Rogers - 3 for 23 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Rice WR Jackson - 9 for 166 yards, 1 TD
Rice WR Alston - 5 for 54 yards, 3 dropped passes
LA Tech WR Atkins - 7 for 124 yards, 1 TD
LA Tech WR Wall - 3 for 41 yards
Interceptions
LA Tech - CB Hayes (2 - 1 TD), SS Webb, CB Jones, FS Barrow
Rice - CB Johnson (1 TD)
LA Tech - 10 deflections in addition
Rice - 3 deflections in addition
Yep, I got
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