Texas Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Rice

By J.J. Pesavento
December 30 * 8:00 PM * NFL Network

The Rice Owls have not won a bowl game since 1954 and will look to end that streak with their record-breaking offense led by quarterback Chase Clement. Clement accounted for a total of 52 touchdowns in 2008. His primary weapons will be Jarrett Dillard and James Casey, who combined for 183 receptions, over 2,400 yards receiving and 31 touchdowns. Casey is also a threat in the running game (six scores), as is Clement (11 scores), who had nearly as many carries as leading rusher C. J. Ugokwe. If there is a concern for Rice, it lies on the defensive side of the ball. The Owls rank near the bottom in every major category on defense. Western Michigan will also be looking to end a streak. The Broncos have only appeared in three bowl games and they’ve never won one. They also live by the pass with quarterback Tim Hiller leading the aerial attack. Hiller has a number of targets in Jamarko Simmons, Schneider Julien and Juan Nunez. The Broncos also have a solid back to tote the rock in Brandon West, who can be a threat coming out of the backfield as well as returning kickoffs. The Broncos’ defense is also weak against the pass, but they defend the run better and allow fewer points per game than Rice.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Western Michigan Broncos (9-3, 6-2)
Pass: Tim Hiller – 2,527 yards, 34 TDs
Run: Brandon West – 970 yards, 8 TDs
Catch: Jamarko Simmons – 98-1,184-7 TDs

Rice Owls (9-3, 7-1)
Pass: Chase Clement – 3,812 yards, 41 TDs
Run: C.J. Ugokwe – 755 yards, 2 TDs
Catch: Jarett Dillard – 79-1,224-19 TDs

Photo Credit: Rice University

BCS Buster Players of the Week

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

QB Chase Clement, Rice
Yet another record setting day for the Owls’ signal caller – Clement’s three touchdown passes gives him 87 in his illustrious career, two more than the previous Conference USA career record holder Kevin Kolb of Houston. His 109 total touchdowns match that of Tulsa product Paul Smith. On the day, Clement threw for 386 yards and ran for another 87, including a career best 61-yard scoring scamper in Rice’s 38-31 victory over Army.

Honorable Mention: Via Taua, RB, Nevada: 28 carries, 263 yards, one touchdown

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

LB Ward Dobbs, Wyoming
The Cowboys pulled off the upset over Tennessee with Dobbs playing a leading role. The senior returned an interception for a touchdown and recorded four tackles for a loss, including a sack, among his game-high 13 tackles.

Honorable Mention: Emanuel Davis, DB, ECU: six tackles, two interceptions (31 return yards)

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

KR A.J. Jefferson, Fresno St.
The junior return specialist turned in his third career kickoff return for a touchdown when he broke loose for 92 yards. In all, Jefferson accounted for 241 yards in kick returns.

Honorable Mention: Deante’ Purvis, KR, UNLV 140 return yards, blocked punt

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rice University)

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week Four

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 17, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Match-ups for week four feature six O'Brien Watch List candidates. The O'Brien continues to highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Marquee Match-up: Georgia at Arizona State
Saturday, September 20 at 7 p.m. (CST) on ABC
Matthew Stafford leads the Georgia Bulldogs west to face off with Rudy Carpenter and the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Bulldogs hope to continue their 3-0 winning streak in this hyped SEC/Pac-10 primetime showdown. Stafford led the Bulldogs to a 14-7 victory over South Carolina last week with a 30 yard run to set up a Knowshon Moreno touchdown as the Bulldogs slipped by the Gamecocks in their SEC season opener. The Sun Devils will try and use their home field advantage to avenge their heartbreaking 23-20 overtime loss to the UNLV Rebels last week. Carpenter, a senior, threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns against the Rebels, bringing his total passing yards for the season to 975 with six touchdowns. This marquee match-up marks the first time these two teams have gone head-to-head.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in this week's games.

· Central Michigan (Dan LeFevour) at Purdue (Curtis Painter)
Saturday, September 20 at 11 a.m. (CST) on the Big Ten Network

· Rutgers (Mike Teel) at Navy (Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada)
Saturday, September 20 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on CBS CSN

· Rice (Chase Clement) at Texas (Colt McCoy)
Saturday, September 20 at 6 p.m. (CST) on FSN

About The O'Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for The O'Brien Fan Vote online at www.VoteOBrien.org to show their support for their favorite college quarterback. Fans will be able to choose from any of the 119 FBS quarterbacks beginning on Tuesday, September 2, leaving room for the possibility of a quarterback who is not on the Watch List to win the award. The top three quarterbacks who garner the most votes will be added to The O'Brien Semifinalist List, and the Fan Vote will then count as 5% in determining the Finalists and Winner. The 2008 Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fans can also download an interactive "widget" at www.DaveyOBrien.org/FAN/fan_widgets.asp featuring a voting link and the ability to post and share on Web sites, social networks and blogs.