Can JT Daniels lead Rice Football to a winning record?

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Sep 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) scores a touchdown in the second half as Rice Owls cornerback Jordan Dunbar (3) and cornerback Sean Fresch (1) defend at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Can the Rice Football defense be more consistent?

On the balance, Rice’s defense was not bad last season. Much like the offense, the Owls were a tick better defensively in 2022. They were two points better and 46.7 yards better the previous year versus 2021. The issue with last season was consistency. When the defense was good, it was good. When the defense was terrible, it was awful.

In its upset against Louisana, the Owls allowed 175 yards and two offensive touchdowns. On the other hand, Rice allowed 551 total yards and 38 points to Southern Miss. What the Owls need is more game-to-game consistency.

Consistency starts with the trenches. Rice finished 88th in the country in sacks and 111th in tackles for loss. There were too few plays in the backfield and too few quarterback pressures for the Owls. Opposing teams that committed to the run game got what they wanted on the ground. Rice allowed five or more yards per carry nine times last year.

Josh Pearcy, last season’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss, is back. He’ll need help as Ikenna Enechukwu, who was second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss, is gone. Rice hopes Colgate transfer Coco Coleman can provide some pass rush on the other end.

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