Quarterbacks
After suffering a sophomore slump season last year, Colt McCoy returned to the field in the Longhorns’ first game of the season against Florida Atlantic looking tighter, quicker and more experienced than ever. McCoy should flourish again this weekend against Rice, especially because he will have had two weeks in between his first and second games due to Hurricane Ike.
Rice senior QB Chase Clement returns this season with a chip on his shoulder. In 2007, Clement broke 17 school records, including 3,377 passing yards and 29 touchdowns but McCoy has proven to be a huge threat.
Running Backs
The position of running back is a challenge for the Longhorns after losing Jamaal Charles to the NFL. However, Vondrell McGee is eager to fill the shoes this season. In 2007,
McGee ran to the end zone eight times. Although he may not be as quick as Charles, he is more explosive and powerful. Coach Mack Brown has also placed confidence in redshirt freshman Foswhitt Whittaker and senior Chris Ogbonnaya, who together will be able to wreak havoc on their opponents. In Rice’s opener against SMU, junior C.J. Ugokwe rushed for 40 yards on 12 carries. However, that will not be enough against Texas.
Receivers
Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley are the Longhorn’s best bet at receiver (see page 12). Last season, they shared the team lead of five touchdown receptions. This season look for sophomore James Kirkendoll to be right behind Cosby and Shipley on the leaderboards.
But Rice’s Jarett Dillard has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and leads Conference USA in touchdown catches for the past two years. He has 40 career receptions and only needs 11 this season to break the NCAA career mark. Although the Longhorns have more to choose from in this position, Dillard is more of a threat.
Offensive Line
The Longhorn O-line will not have any problem stopping the Owls’ defensive line. Texas prides itself on their traditionally powerful and deep unit, which is lead by Blaine Irby and Peter Ullman. Rice tight end Taylor Wardlow and lineman David Berken will lead the Owls’ offensive line this season. But this unit is significantly weaker and no match for the Texas
defense.
Defensive Line
Clement and Ugokwe will have to exceed their A-game if they want to break through the Texas defensive line. Will Muschamp, Texas defensive coordinator, wants to improve the pass rush. Muschamp has moved Lamarr Houston to tackle, where he will line up along with Roy Miller, one of the team’s strongest players. Houston led the Longhorns in tackles last season and should be just as effective in the middle. The Rice defense finished near the bottom of C-USA last season in yards allowed and scoring defense, so the Texas offense will definitely be able to take advantage of them.
Linebackers
Rashad Bobino is the Longhorns’ most experienced defensive player. He has started in 38 games and is a two-time, all-conference selection. Junior middle linebacker Sergio Kindle will also be a threat for Rice with his versatility and athleticism.
Brian Raines is Rice’s leading active career tackler. He ranks seventh among active NCAA defenders with 153 career tackles. The Texas linebacker units will pose more of a threat to Rice than the Rice linebacker units will pose to Texas.
Secondary
Ryan Palmer is the only returning starter in the Longhorn secondary. The experienced cornerback helped Texas allow just 93.4 rushing yards per game in 2007. Deon Beasley looks for his first start at cornerback this year as he lends his speed and skill to the secondary as well.
Senior Brandon King is Rice’s most experienced corner. In his first game of the 2008 season agasint SMU, King picked off a pair of passes for the first time in his career.
Special Teams
With the exception of the Texas punter, all other specialists return, starting with Ryan Bailey, who is 24 for 28 on field goals in two seasons. New starting punter John Gold has been selected to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation’s top punter.
Clark Fangmeier is the Rice punter and kicker and has set school records for conversions. He was twice named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week and is 2-4 for on field goals this season.
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