Rice's Dynamic Duo Continues to Re-Write the Record Books

Rice quarterback Chase Clement and wide receiver Jarrett Dillard were recruited by former coach Ken Hatfield to be pieces of the puzzle in Hatfield's run-first option offense.

So much for that theory.

A month ago, the Clement-to-Dillard connection became the most prolific quarterback-wide receiver combination in NCAA history, when the tandem hooked up three times in a 77-20 pounding of North Texas. The three scores left the duo with 41 touchdown connections in their careers, surpassing the mark of 39 shared by Louisiana Tech's Tim Rattay and Troy Edwards, and Hawaii's Colt Brennan and Devane Bess.

"It's definitely an honor," Clement said. "We were recruited to play in an option offense, so no, I never expected to break an NCAA record for passing. Jarrett is a great receiver and he knows how to get open and we were able to develop a great chemistry a few years ago. We worked hard, and it's great to share an amazing record like this with a great friend like Jarrett."

The Owls' duo got off to a flying start this season and they haven't showed any signs of slowing, as they continue to shatter school, conference, and NCAA records.

In the season opener against Southern Methodist University, Clement tied his own school record - as well as the Conference USA record - with six touchdown passes, and Dillard tied his school record with three touchdown receptions.

One week later, against Memphis, Clement surpassed Tommy Kramer as the Owls' all-time passing leader by throwing for 318 yards in a 42-35 win to give him 6,242 career passing yards. Against North Texas, on the night the duo set the NCAA record for touchdowns by a passing tandem, Dillard set a new school record and tied a Conference USA record by catching four touchdown passes – catching three from Clement and one from Jeramy Goodson.

A week later, Dillard's record-setting run continued, as he became the most dynamic pass-catcher in NCAA history, when he caught his 50th and 51st career touchdown passes to break Edwards' record of 50 which had stood since 1999.

"I really haven't had time to sit down and think about it," said Dillard of his record-setting catch. "I mean, it means a lot to me, but right now, my focus is on helping my team get to a bowl game. I am sure when I sit down at the end of the year, I am going to be like 'Wow, did I really do that,' but for now, it really hasn't hit me how special it is."

On Oct. 18, Clement threw for 444 yards and tied his school and C-USA record with six more touchdown passes in a 45-40 shootout win over Southern Miss. Three of the touchdown tosses went to Dillard, who now has 54 career touchdown receptions.

"Obviously they are the top [duo] in the country over their careers and probably one of the top duos regardless," said North Texas coach Todd Dodge after watching Clement and Dillard set the NCAA record. "They do a tremendous job."

Both are on pace for record-setting years.

Clement ranks fifth in the Bowl Subdivision with 24 touchdown passes (just six interceptions) and is 10th in the nation in passing yards with 2,360. Dillard is tied with Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree for the most touchdown receptions this season with 14 scores. His 856 receiving yards are fourth most in the nation, and his 57 receptions rank 12th.

"It's all about hard work," Dillard said. "If you want to be the best, you've got to practice and work like the best. Chase and I spent a lot of time outside of practice studying film and running routes and getting our timing down. I think that's why we've been so successful."

Clement needs to throw for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns in the Owls' next four ball games to break the school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns he set last season. Dillard is on pace to match his record-setting season in 2006, when he established Rice records of 91 receptions for 1,247 yards and 21 touchdowns, as the Owls (5-3) look to become bowl eligible for only the second time since 1961 (they lost to Troy 41-17 in the 2006 New Orleans Bowl).

"The records are nice, but the ultimate goal is to get to a bowl game," Clement said. "The individual records are nice to have, but in the end, football is a team game, and you want team success. The records don't mean as much if you're not winning, so hopefully we can end our careers with a bowl game. Then, we can sit back and say, "wow, we accomplished something special."