Owls expect to be competitive despite size
By MICHAEL A. LUTZ AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) - Rice University is the smallest school in the country playing NCAA Division I-A football, and it's doing so with players most other schools don't want.
Charles Torello, one of the Owls' best offensive linemen, came to Rice as a walk-on. Michael Perry, the school's No. 3 all-time rusher, wasn't highly recruited, nor was starting quarterback Chad Richardson.
But Rice, with just 2,700 undergraduate students, is thinking big.
"We are the smallest school, but we feel we can compete," coach Ken Hatfield said. "We've got a lot of things to play for and with scholarship numbers down still we have a chance.
"You just have to find your uniqueness and show that to people and they will come."
Despite a 2-5 record this season, Hatfield has been inching the football program toward respectability since arriving in 1994 and leading the Owls to a share of the Southwest Conference championship.
Hatfield's calling card had been his spread option offense and the school's proud academic tradition. And he intends on having an attractive schedule.
"They (players) want to come where they can get a great education and at the same time learn lessons offered by football," Hatfield said. "We've made a commitment to be competitive. We're going to play Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma and we've got a four-game series with Houston."
Hatfield recruits players with specific talents for his ground-oriented offense. Since the school's academic standards are so high, Hatfield doesn't often get a shot at blue-chippers.
Perry said he liked his opportunities at Rice.
"I wanted to go to a place where I had a chance to play and I didn't want to leave the state," he said. "Texas and A&M didn't recruit me that much."
Seeing the Owls upset Texas in 1994 persuaded Perry to join the Owls. He thought he'd play defensive back but ended in the option, which Perry sees as a benefit for Rice.
"Other teams don't see it all year and then they play us," the senior running back said. "You have to be disciplined to play against the option offense, and not everyone can do that."
The Owls had 7-4 records in 1996 and 1997, its best consecutive seasons since 1960-1961.
In 1996, the Owls won six of their last seven games and ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing (305.4 yards per game). They're sixth this week.
"We are not a dominating team. We have to play at the top of our game if we intend to win," Hatfield said.
Or get fans in Rice Stadium.
The Owls averaged 35,509 at five home games in 1997, up from 20,170 the previous season. The increase was the fourth-largest percentage attendance jump of any NCAA Division I-A school.
This season, average attendance is down to 25,687 for three home games against Southern Methodist, Northwestern and Tulsa. The only home games left are Oct. 31 against Colorado State and Nov. 14 against Nevada-Las Vegas.
After two winning seasons, this isn't the way Perry wanted to end his college career.
"I've been depressed about it, but all we have to do is win out and we've got a chance," he said. "Anything can happen in the WAC."