Rice football faces nationally ranked Ohio St. Buckeyes

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by Jason Katz

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In front of an estimated crowd of 93,000 and a national television audience, the Owls hope to upend the Buckeyes and begin a climb toward their first bowl berth in 32 years.

Ohio State, led by Head Coach John Cooper, has been ranked 17th in both the Associated Press and CNN/ USA Today pre-season polls. They finished the 1992-93 season with an 8-3-1 record, a second-place finish in the Big Ten conference and an appearance in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Last year, Ohio State averaged 22.6 points and 349.5 yards per game. They returned 12 offensive starters, including last year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Korey Stringer. Stringer, the Buckeye's offensive tackle, has already been mentioned as a likely candidate for All-American honors. He helps make up arguably one of the best offensive lines in the country.

A new face in the Buckeye lineup, sophomore quarterback Bobby Hoying, will lead the offensive assault, making his first collegiate start on Saturday. Last year's back-up quarterback, Hoying has limited experience. In seven games he completed eight of 14 passes.

"This should be a good offensive football team," Cooper said. "We are extremely strong up front. We have good, hard-nosed runners and we have the speed on the flanks to get big plays out of our passing game."

Although the offense seems to be up for this week's challenge, the Buckeye defense is the more celebrated half of the team.

All-American candidates Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson at defensive tackle and Jason Simmons at defensive end comprise the foundation of this defense.

Wilkinson won All-Big Ten honors last year, accumulating 46 tackles and 6.5 sacks. The nationally ranked defense allowed a mere 13.2 points per game and 311.6 yards per contest.

For the Owls, Saturday's game will mark the first time they have played before a national television audience since 1954, their first match-up with the Buckeyes.

"It's a big game that could really put us on the map," said Rice receiver Jimmy Lee.

Rice, with Head Coach Fred Goldsmith at the helm for his fifth season, looks to improve upon its 6-5 mark from last season and capture the bowl berth it so nearly obtained.

The offensive spotlight will focus on quarterback Bert Emanuel rather than on departed running back Trevor Cobb. Arguably one of the fastest quarterbacks in college football, Emanuel will be back to lead the high-powered Owl offensive attack. Last season he was ranked fourth nationally in passing efficiency and was named the conference's Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

"The experience Bert had last year elevated his performance this spring to a new level," Goldsmit said. "He has a better grasp of the offense, and I think we have a better grasp of his talents."

Running backs Yoncy Edmonds and Spencer George will be impact players in the offense. Edmonds will get the starting nod for this week's game and will probably take on most of the backfield responsibilities until George, who has been slowed by a pulled quadricep muscle, can contribute effectively.

All-Southwest Conference player Jimmy Lee returns to head the receivers, while tackle Chris Cooley and center Tom Hetherington will be the central forces on an experienced Owl offensive line.

"Overall, this line is further along than any since I've been at Rice," Goldsmith said.

Six starters return to make up possibly the most experienced defense that the Owls have had in years. Linebacker Emmett Waldron returns as the team's leading tackler and cornerback Sean Washington hopes to duplicate his conference-leading interception return mark of a year ago.

"[Ohio State] may be 6-6 and 300 pounds across theline," Waldron said, "but we're from Rice ... so we're smart."

The Owls hope that they can open this season with the greatest triumph in their 82-year history.

"This is what college football is all about," Goldsmith said. "We've got nothing to lose. Nobody expects us to win except our football team."

This item appeared in the Sports section of the September 3, 1993 issue.

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