Owls earn major honors

Dillard an All-American, Clement is conference MVP

BY MIKE WILLIAMS
Rice News staff

No matter what happens in the Texas Bowl game against Western Michigan, Rice seniors Jarett Dillard and Chase Clement will leave the team on a high note.

Dillard, Rice’s record-setting receiver, has been named to the Football Writers Association All-American team, the first Owl to earn the honor since Buddy Dial made it in 1959. The honorees were named in a one-hour special on ABC-TV Dec. 13.

Clement, the team’s standout quarterback, was recognized Dec. 10 as the Conference-USA Most Valuable Player, as chosen by the league’s 12 head football coaches.

Both expect to be chosen in next year’s National Football League draft.

Once the Owls got rolling this season, the duo of Clement and Dillard were nearly unstoppable. Dillard led the nation with 19 touchdown receptions and is the first player in NCAA history to have a pair of seasons with at least that many, having pulled down 21 in 2006. Dillard holds the NCAA record for career touchdown receptions with 59 and for games with a touchdown catch, 37.

He and Clement combined to set the NCAA record for most career touchdown passes by the same passer and receiver, with 50.

Clement’s stats are no less inspiring. He completed 296 of 446 passes for 3,812 yards and 41 touchdowns with just seven interceptions while leading the Owls to a share of the C-USA West title this season.

Clement threw at least one touchdown pass in his final 25 C-USA games and posted a 15-8 record as a starter in league play over the last three years. He also holds the C-USA record for career TD passes (96) and total touchdowns (120). He’s the only quarterback in the nation to have gained more than 500 yards rushing this year (a career-high 621) while throwing for more than 3,500 yards.

In addition, Sports Illustrated has named Dillard, Clement and wide receiver James Casey to its 2008 All-America Football Team. Dillard was named to the second team, and Clement and Casey received honorable mentions.

Dillard has been named to six All-America teams so far this year.