The numbers, to be fair, weren’t too pretty last year for the Rice defense. The Owls surrendered 42.9 points per game a year ago, 312.4 passing yards and 510.8 total yards per game. They even allowed opponents to convert 66.7 of the time on fourth downs.

Each total was dead last in Conference USA.

Free safety Andrew Sendejo led the Owls in tackles and sacks in 2007 (photo by Rice athletics).

Part of the offseason plan at Rice, just like at SMU, was to shore up a defense that let some games get away, despite decent performances from the offense. The Owls had several players who showed promise last year, and the hope in Houston is that the promise turns into performance this year.

To hear senior SMU offensive lineman Tommy Poynter tell it, though, the Rice defense is not one that can be assumed will roll out the red carpet for opposing offenses.

“We know they’re well-coached,” Poynter said, “and they come off the ball hard. It seems like every guy on that defense plays with a high motor.”

The Owls are one of the growing number of teams that will operate out of a 4-2-5 base defense, trading the traditional third linebacker for a fifth defensive back in an effort to counter the trend of teams adding additional receivers to their offensive alignments.

Rice features a pair of young defensive ends in sophomores Cheta Ozougwu and Scott Solomon, and Poynter said the tandem will cause Rice opponents some real headaches, this year and beyond.

“Those guys are young, but they’re strong and they’re fast,” he said. “(Solomon), who will be on my side, made the Conference USA All-Freshman team last year, and I expect him to be better this year. The thing about him is he goes hard on every play, and he finishes every play. You’ll never see him lighten up or back off at all. He finishes every play, no matter what. Sometimes you’ll see guys ‘tackle lazy’ – not him.

Solomon led the Owls’ defense last year with 4.5 sacks.

Senior linebacker Brian Raines is on the watch lists for the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award (photo by Rice athletics).

Poynter also said he is impressed with the interior of the Rice offensive line, which is led by senior defensive tackle Chris Ptazek (6-5, 302).

“He has very good feet,” Poynter said. “He’s not going to try to arm-tackle anyone. He wraps up and drives guys with his shoulders.”

The two starting linebackers ill be seniors Brian Raines and Vernon James, who finished second and third on the Rice roster last year with 81 and 74 tackles, respectively.

The starting secondary likely will feature a pair of athletic seniors in Ja’Corey Shepherd and Brandon King, who had three interceptions a year ago.

The starting safeties will be Bencil Smith (older brother of SMU freshman Ryan Smith) at the “KAT” safety spot, sophomore Willie Garley at the strong safety spot and Andrew Sendejo at free safety. Sendejo is an All-Conference USA honoree who is on the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award and Butkus Award. Rice’s best defensive player in 2007, he led the Owls with 107 tackles and five interceptions, which he turned into 92 return yards.