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The Rice Thresher
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by Jose Luis Cubria thresher editorial staff
Coming into each new campaign, the Owls' spread option offense has been a known commodity, while their defense has been something of a question mark. On the eve of the 2000 season opener against the University of Houston tomorrow night, the Rice offense should once again be a formidable rushing force. But it's not the story. Rice's defense - with eight returning starters, depth across the board and potential postseason honors candidates at at least three positions - is the story. And Hatfield wouldn't have it any other way. "You start with defense. If the other team doesn't score, they'll have a hard time winning," Hatfield said. "It's good to have all this experience. I hope it makes a difference." It's not that the defense was bad last year. In fact, it was quite good. The Owls gave up just 338.6 yards per game, making them the second-rated defense in the Western Athletic Conference and the No. 36 defense in the nation. Nearly every player responsible for that stinginess is back, and they can't wait to prove they'll be even better this year. "When we're healthy, we're real good," junior linebacker Dan Dawson said. "Through two-a-days, some people have been out [with injuries] every once in a while. But the couple of times that we've put it all together, it looks like we could be one of the better defenses in the country. And I don't just blow smoke like that. I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it." Dawson is one of the main reasons the Owls are so excited about their defense. He was in the midst of a stellar sophomore campaign last year when a broken leg ended his season. Dawson missed all of spring practice rehabilitating the injury, but all indications are that he is fully recovered and might be in better physical shape than ever before. "It's a tribute to his tenacity and work ethic," Hatfield said. "He jumps two inches higher than he's ever done. He makes a big play every day out here. He's just a big-play-maker." Dawson agrees that he's a better player now than before the injury, but not because he can jump higher or run faster. He says the experience has affected him mentally more than anything. "You appreciate being out here a lot more when you get hurt like that," Dawson said. "I was so scared. I remember when I went to the hospital and Jason [Hebert] and Travis [Ortega] and them went to visit me after the game, I couldn't even look at them because I was so scared that I wasn't going to be able to be a part of this team anymore. "It made me really realize that I've got to enjoy this. That should help me more than anything physically." But Dawson is not the only star. Hebert, also a junior and close friend of Dawson, also had a breakthrough year in 1999. The speedster led the team in tackles from the free safety position en route to being named first team all-WAC. "Jason can run all day," Hatfield said. "He and Dan compete hard all day to see who can be the best, whether it's computer games or running or anything they're doing. It's good to have that competition because it pushes them to be better and better." Hebert's blazing speed is a perfect contrast to the style of play favored by Ortega, the team's strong safety. The senior three-year starter has made a name for himself with his punishing open-field tackles and seems primed for another solid season. The list goes on. Senior defensive end Jake Jackson and junior nose guard B.J. Forguson anchor a deep and talented defensive line that returns three starters. Dawson and veteran juniors Joe Bob Thompson and Rashard Pittman - all opening day starters last year - lead a linebacking unit that will also feature some talented youngsters. Steady senior Josh McMillan is back at one corner position, and senior Adrian Sadler was a three-year starter at the other corner. But there's a twist - the emergence of junior Kenny Smith and sophomore Greg Gatlin gives the Owls superb depth in the secondary, and Sadler has taken his experience and blazing speed to the other side of the ball, where he will start at halfback. In other words, all signs point to a solid defensive unit. And while the Owls will likely never physically overpower anyone, they'll find other ways to make life tough for their opponents. "I like the quickness of our defense, I like the depth we've got on defense," Hatfield said. "But I like our defensive mentality more than anything. We're not a dominant team physically, but we'll run around and hit you."
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