SEC Sports Insider Magazine 2013 Bowl Edition | Seite 13

RB Charles Ross: If SEC fans do not know who Charles Ross is, they soon will. In fact, just pull the film on the Owls’ game against Texas A&M this season, where he had 131 offensive yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he has 1,252 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He will be looking to leave a lasting impression on NFL scouts in his final game for Rice. QB Taylor McHargue: McHargue is dangerous with both his feet and his arm. He has thrown for 2,261 yards and rushed for 466 yards, while scoring 22 total touchdowns. He also had a solid game against Texas A&M earlier in the season with 258 yards and two touchdowns. It was also only one of three games where McHargue completed over 60 percent of his passes. CB Phillip Gaines: The Owls have an exceptional defense, and it would not be possible without the play of their corners. They play mostly man-to-man defense even in nickel and dime situations. This allows them to put seven in the box to stop the run and hurry the quarterback. They can do this because of the talent they have in the secondary led by future NFL player Phillip Gaines. He led the nation in pass deflections last season, and Gaines is a future NFL defensive back. The all-conference recipient was targeted 40 times this season and allowed just 13 completions. DT Christian Covington: When your father is the Canadian Football League’s all-time leader in sacks, the standard is high. However, Covington has not disappointed. The sophomore was all-conference this season with 51 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Covington did all of this despite wearing a heavy cast four games this season. C Nate Richards: Very few know Richards by name, but he is a key contributor to Rice’s success over the past two seasons. He’s anchored the Owls' offensive line since joining the squad from Trinity Valley Community College and has made 26 consecutive starts while leading a line that has allowed Rice to lead the conference and rank 16th in the nation in rushing (240.2 per game).