The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 7, 1974 Page: 12 of 16
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Running game gives Owls first victory, 21-7 over Tech
by CHEAPSHOT
The Rice Owls celebrated the
passing of Halloween by playing
offensive tricks on the Texas
Tech Red Raiders and treating
themselves to a 21-7 victory.
Tech proved to be no match for
the win-hungry Owls, who
clawed out their first triumph of
the season. When Tech arrived
braced for an aerial barrage simi-
lar to last week, Rice countered
by reaching into their helmets
and pulling out something they
aren't supposed to possess, a
running game—two hundred and
ten yards worth. Rice's ace in
the hole was lightly regarded,
(by Texas Tech at least), Senior
Gary Ferguson, who led the
rushing attack with 129 yards on
24 carries.
Tommy Kramer and Eddie
Collins chipped in with the rest
of the ground attack and Kramer
was 4-10 passing, for 56 yards
and a touchdown to Eddie
Lofton. The entire offensive line
played spectacularly, and
opened gaping holes for Fer-
guson on the sprint draw.
But the true credit for the
victory belongs to the defense.
All three scores came after the
defense forced Tech turnovers.
Also the Owls held the Red
Raiders to their lowest offensive
total of the year. Jeff Rose
turned in a fine performance, fil-
ling in for All-American Corne-
lius Walker.
Dee McCury and Rodney
Norton returned to the line-
backer spots and had 6 unassis-
ted tackles apiece. In addition,
Brent Barnes had his best game
of the year at defensive right
end, making numerous tackles,
and picking up the fumble that
led to Rice's second TD. Gary
Cox, Randy Piel and Larry
Brune accounted for Rice's three
interceptions.
The special teams were also
able to get it all together.
"Goofy" Landrum finally
regained his form of last year,
punting six times for an average
of 42 yards. Starter, James Liska
spearheaded the punt coverage,
being credited with two first hits
and two assists on the 4 punts
that Tech returned.
The first quarter was score-
less, but David Houser provided
the Rice fans with a thrill when
he returned David Kuykendall's
second punt 46 yards to the
Tech 29. Following this, Rice
had a 12 play drive that covered
only 28 of those yards. It ended
on the one when Rice's third
fourth down play failed.
The Owls tallied twice during
the second period, the first score
coming only two plays after
Gary Cox swiped a Roberts pass
on Tech's 31 and returned it to
the 18. Kramer threw a slip
screen to Eddie Lofton and he
followed Danny Johnson to pay-
dirt. In less than three minutes,
Rice had scored again. It began
when Brent Barnes fell on a bad
snap at the Tech 25. Four plays
later, Ferguson swept right end
for a 14 yard TD.
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The third quarter began with
Rice enjoying its largest lead of
the year. Tech promptly shaved
it to a mere 7 points with a 50
yard drive in 6 plays. On their
next possession, Tech again
threatened, but Randy Piel inter-
cepted Dunivens' third down
pass in the endzone to end the
drive.
Rice then put together a well
engineered drive that consumed
80 yards in twelve plays. The
drive included a 20 yard scamper
by Kramer and one of 30 yards
by Ferguson to the Tech two.
Kramer then scored the game's
last points with 1:28 remaining
in the third quarter.
In the fourth period, Tech
managed a late period drive that
ended on downs at the Rice 3
with only 39 seconds left to
play. Only then could the Rice
fans heave a sigh of relief and
give a cheer for the Owls' first
win.
Even with 17 seconds left
with Rice in the possession of
the ball, A1 Conover, the peren-
nial optimist, was worried. He
thought that Rice would find
some exotic way to lose. It's just
been that kind of year.
This game is a tribute to the
Rice football team. Anyone else
might have folded. But the Owls
want to show the world what
kind of team they really have.
The ending cannot be consid-
ered a surprise. Rice's team has
finally played up to its potential.
If this continues, you can validly
ask if anyone would invite a
5-5-1 team to a bowl game.
llJll
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\
SWC leading receiver Eddie Lofton scores first touchdown.
-mickey meier
Owls to face "mad dog" Arkansas
by PHILIP PARKER
"You're a winner until Mon-
day morning," explained Head
Coach A1 Conover. But this is
Thursday and Rice has to think
about how to do it again and not
why they didn't last week.
Arkansas will call for a maxi-
mum amount of concentration,
because the Owls do not know
quite what to expect from the
Hogs. "They are a 'mad dog'
team, willing to use any ap-
proach to win" said Conover. A
squad hungry for a victory, but
running out of ways to win?
Sounds familiar.
In their opening game, Arkan-
sas upset USC, but it's been
downhill since. Oklahoma State
dropped them from high nation-
al rankings, and Baylor, Texas,
and Texas A&M eliminated any
ideas of a SWC crown, or a Cot-
mmwM
Sr
ton Bowl appearance.
Inconsistancy at quarterback
has plagued Arkansas this year.
They have three QB's, but no
one has taken complete charge
of the offense. But the Hogs
could suddenly "find" their true
quarterback. It has happened
before this year somewhere in
the SWC.
This year the Hogs and the
grounds keepers have a score to
settle with A1 Conover. In 1972,
Big A1 pulled one of his famous
gimmicks and threw a folding
chair through, the dressing room
window. The suprised Owls
edged Arkansas 23-20. Last year
the birds began their November
Streak and won 17-7.
Rice footballers have the late
autumn look in their eyes and
now view a repeat performance.
The defense has regained the ser-
vices of key starters. However,
SPECIAL OFFER
Cornelius Walker will be side-
lined, until he plays his brother
Skip, in next week's Aggie game.
Meanwhile, the offense has
run low on running backs. Gary
Ferguson is the only healthy
back while James Sykes, John
Coleman and Eddy Collins are
nursing various injuires. Out for
the season with a broken ankle is
Ardie Segars. To bolster the
ranks, freshman Rick Kern will
be moved to the varsity.
So if there are any 6'4", 225
pound weanies with nothing to
do on Saturday, please contact
the athletic department! They
can use you!
FORECAST: It shapes up as
a battle of two "mad dog"
types. But the Owls are meaner.
Owls 2 4-Arkansas 10—Three
chairs for Big "Owl"
Conover ????!!!
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the rice thresher, november 7, 1974—page 12
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Brewton, Gary. The Rice Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 62, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 7, 1974, newspaper, November 7, 1974; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth245208/m1/12/: accessed June 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.