Rice doesn't produce NFL players in bulk — but the ones who make it tend to stick around and matter. This week, two Owls made headlines on opposite ends of the country, for opposite reasons, both earning their keep.
Boswell Boots the Steelers Ahead
Chris Boswell has never needed much of an introduction to Steelers fans, and he added another reliable moment to his résumé Sunday against the Colts. With Pittsburgh clinging to a tight game, Boswell knocked through a 48-yard field goal late in the first half to push the Steelers to a 17-13 halftime lead — a swing that helped set the tone for a 34-22 final. Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes, but Boswell supplied the cushion that kept Pittsburgh from feeling any late-half pressure.
It's the kind of contribution that doesn't show up in highlight reels but shows up in the standings. Boswell has made a career out of exactly this: quiet precision in consequential moments. For Rice fans tracking him since his Owls days, the formula hasn't changed.
Fresch Gets the Call in Denver
The second Rice storyline this week played out in the Broncos' secondary. With Denver dealing with defensive backfield injuries heading into Thursday night's matchup against the Seahawks, the team elevated cornerback Sean Fresch from the practice squad for the game-day roster. Fresch also appeared in Denver's Week 6 win over the Chargers, meaning he's logged active-roster time in back-to-back weeks.
Elevations don't guarantee snaps, but repeated elevations signal trust. The Broncos are clearly comfortable turning to Fresch when the depth chart gets thin — a meaningful signal for a player still working to carve out a permanent NFL role. Denver held on to beat Seattle 17-14, and Fresch was in the building when it happened.
Around the League
Elsewhere in Rice's NFL footprint, Nick Leverett quietly resurfaced this week when the Cowboys brought the veteran offensive lineman back to their practice squad. Leverett, a 310-pound guard with starting experience in Tampa Bay, gives Dallas a familiar, proven interior body as teams manage the grind of the mid-season stretch.
Luke McCaffrey continued to get looks in Washington's receiver room, with the Commanders and Giants playing to a 27-27 draw Sunday. Jack Fox punted for a Lions team that rolled Arizona 45-21, though Detroit's offense left him without much work to do.
Two Owls. Two different NFL stages. One clutch field goal and one game-day elevation — both reminders that Rice's pipeline to the pros is smaller than Alabama's but no less real.
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