Editor's note: Marshall University football faces a diverse 2008 schedule in terms of both geography and status. Continuing a summer-long series, The Herald-Dispatch focuses on Rice, the Thundering Herd's conference opponent Nov. 22 on the road.

HUNTINGTON -- Chase Clement and Jarett Dillard will put points on the scoreboard.

But, will the Rice Owls stop anyone from scoring? That's the big question for Rice, which finished with a 3-7 record in the 2007 football season when the Owls averaged 31.4 points while allowing a Conference USA-high 42.9 per game.

Clement broke 18 school records as a junior quarterback. He set standards for total offense in a game, season and career as well as the marks for total touchdowns and passing touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound senior passed for 3,377 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also led Rice with 535 yards rushing and eight scores.

"We have a good offense that we're comfortable with," Clement said. "One of the things I am focused on this year is cutting down on my turnover margin (16 interceptions). I thought I turned the ball over way too much last year. I was trying to do too much and ended up trying to force the ball."

Dillard hods most of the school receiving records and was named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Foundation Award given to the nation's most outstanding player. He is the NCAA active career leader in receptions (205), receiving yards (2,828) and receiving touchdowns (40).

The 5-11, 185-pound senior had 79 receptions last season for 1,057 yards and 14 TDs.

He has combined with Clement for 40 touchdown passes and are only six shy of tying the NCAA record for a duo.

Dillard has at least two receptions in all 36 games of his career.

"Jarett Dillard is a phenomenal talent that I think sometimes people start to take for granted because he routinely does incredible things," Rice coach David Bailiff said.

James Casey (6-4, 245, So.) at tight end is another prime receiving target who caught 46 passes for 585 yards and four scores in a Freshman All-American season.

Running back Justin Hill was second on the team with 321 yards rushing. C.J. Ugokwe, Marcus Knox and true freshman Shane Turner are also in the running game mix.

Right guard David Berken (6-4, 295, Sr.) is a mainstay on the offensive line. Austin Wilkinson (6-2, 275, Sr.) at center and Scott Mitchell (6-4, 278, So.) at left tackle are returning starters. Jimmy Miller (6-3, 305, Sr.) is in the running to start at left guard.

Defensively, the Owls welcome the return of Bencil Smith in the secondary. Andrew Sendejo is a returning starter.

"We're already way ahead of last year so I am really looking forward to getting the season started," Sendejo said.

Defensive line mates Scott Solomon (6-3, 260, So.) and Cheta Ozougwu (6-2, 240, So.) received all-freshman team mentions.

Brian Raines was an all-conference second team selection at linebacker.