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Rice University Athletics
Waiting Patiently
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 17, 2009
Watch the Owls vs. ECU on CSS (Comcast cable channel 129) or on MASN (Direct TV 640/Dish Network 432)
By MOISEKAPENDA BOWER
Just when it appears that Rice coach David Bailiff is taking the judicious approach by slowly bringing along receivers Brent Hotard and Randy Kitchens, he reveals that he isn't being quite as patient as it might seem.
"We are trying to rush both of them," Bailiff said.
The Owls (0-6, 0-2 Conference USA) are in dire need of reinforcements offensively, and while Hotard and Kitchens are at least a week away from making contributions on offense, both will be at the ready as the Owls open the second half of their season at East Carolina (3-3, 2-1).
During their three-game home stand, the Owls produced only 745 yards on 199 plays, a paltry average of just 3.7 yards per play. With starting quarterback Nick Fanuzzi unavailable for the first two games of that stretch, Rice struggled mightily in the passing game. Even after Fanuzzi returned last weekend against Navy, the aerial attack remained grounded.
With Fanuzzi, fifth-year senior John Thomas Shepherd and redshirt freshman Ryan Lewis seeing time at quarterback, the Owls posted a dreary passer efficiency rating of 81.97 and completing just 50 of 113 attempts while tossing nearly twice as many interceptions (seven) as touchdowns. A lack of quality depth at receiver has been a problem, an issue exposed when Hotard, a sophomore, broke his thumb during the second scrimmage of preseason camp and one Bailiff tried to rectify when he moved Kitchens, a sophomore, from safety three weeks ago.
"I really think Randy is getting close," Bailiff said. "He's learning what to do, he's learned how to read the coverages, he's made some nice catches in practice, and he's a big body (6-3, 215) that can block on the perimeter. The sooner we can get him out here, the better we are."
With each practice expectations rise for Kitchens, a fact that is apparent by the increase in frequency in which receivers coach Larry Edmondson chastises Kitchens for mistakes. After he first made the position switch, Kitchens was given ample time to study the terminology of the offense and grasp the techniques that come with playing the position properly.
However, as the need for Kitchens develops, the coaching staff has attempted to expedite his absorption of the scheme and his routes. As Edmondson grows more demanding, Kitchens has sharpened his focus.
"They're definitely starting to expect me to know everything," Kitchens said. "The first couple of weeks they let me mess up a little bit, but now they're expecting me to know it all. I feel like I'm transitioning well.
"I've pretty much got everything. Sometimes the real quick stuff I'll have to think about it for a second, but for the most part I'm getting it all down."
While Kitchens continues to bolster his knowledge of the structure of the offense, Hotard is methodically building strength back in his surgically repaired thumb. He had pins inserted and later removed from the thumb, but the initial four-week diagnosis has dragged out to double that amount. Like Kitchens, Hotard has worked at multiple positions during his career, and after finally settling in at receiver, he was injured.
"It was tough. I was down," Hotard said. "I had a great camp, and I was looking forward to getting some significant playing time this year. Everything happens for a reason, and it's something I had to deal with.
"I knew my time would come and I knew I would be back soon."
Hotard will resume his duties as the holder on field goal attempts, but his opportunities on offense might be delayed. He was cleared for full contact on Tuesday, so despite his knowledge of the offense and his participation in team meetings, Hotard isn't quite in game condition.
That fact doesn't make it any easier for Bailiff to wait for his full return.
"He was somebody we were really excited about," Bailiff said. "We've got to get him back on the field and get production out of those guys."
Bailiff doesn't plan on inserting either Hotard or Kitchens during a critical juncture against the Pirates, but he hasn't completely ruled out their participation. Kitchens has not mastered the offense and Hotard hasn't regained strong grip in his thumb, but each stands at the ready. The Owls are in desperate search of playmakers, and they can't wait too much longer for two receivers positioned on the sideline poised to play.
"We're all going through a learning process right now," Kitchens said. "I'm just ready to get out there when I can and do whatever they ask me to do."
Said Hotard: "I think there's an opportunity for me. We'll see."
