Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: RICE and consistency. That lists starts with sophomore Jowan Davis (476 yards and three touchdowns), who had a breakout performance in an overtime win over UAB that punched Rice's ticket to the conference title game. He stepped in after Ross was injured and ran for 130 yards, including a 17-yard run in overtime that set up the game- winning score. Redshirt sophomore Darik Dillard and junior Luke Turner also figure to be significant parts of the equation in the running game this fall. Turner will likely take some snaps under center when Rice uses its Wildcat package on offense. He threw for two touch- downs out of that formation in an MVP performance in the Conference USA championship game. Changes along the offensive line this season provide even more uncer- tainty for Rice and its rushing game. Fifth-year senior and all-conference center Nate Richards was the offen- sive line's leader for the past two sea- sons. He and left tackle Jon Hodde both graduated. Another former starter, senior Drew Carroll, ended his career earlier this month because he is currently bat- tling a kidney disease. Carroll moved into a role as a volunteer assistant with the offensive line during train- ing camp. "You hope a day like this never comes," Bailiff told reporters Aug. 7. "But it's important to keep him close, let him feel the emotions of the game and keep those relationships with the team." Defensively, the Owls have more of Redshir t junior defensive tackle Christian Covington earned All-Conference USA accolades in 2013 after recording 59 tackles, a career-high 11.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four sacks. PHOTO COURTESY RICE