Record-breaking duo has Rice cookin'

Meanwhile, his No. 1 target has already set the record for most touchdown receptions in a career, shattering Troy Edwards' former mark by nine.

Despite growing up in the same city, the two only knew of each other in high school, but never met. That all changed in 2004 and since then the two have built quite a friendship over the past five years.

Dillard says they have a brother-like relationship, especially when it comes to football. They might give each other criticism that the other doesn't like, but they are making each other better and using that advice in each practice and every game.

Even when Clement doesn't find his favorite receiver, Dillard isn't afraid to offer some "brotherly" advice.

"I get mad at myself and I'll say 'Nah, I'm not going to say anything,' but I'll say 'Chase, I was open on that play, next time we run it, just take a glance, please' and then I'll look at the film and see I was covered by three people," laughed Dillard. "I trust Chase that he's going to throw it to the open man. Sometimes I really feel I'm open, but I have to trust Chase's judgment."

Clement has heard that song and dance before.

"That sounds about right," Clement chuckled. "He's a competitor and wants the ball and that's what is great about him. But in those type of situations, I just say 'I got my reads, I see you over there. I'll look toward your way next time.' I say what needs to be said so he'll calm down."

Their relationship began five years ago under former coach Ken Hatfield, who ran the triple-option offense. Throwing the ball all over the field was not in the game plan and with Joel Armstrong already locked in at quarterback, Clement and Dillard redshirted and played on the scout team.

By running scout teams plays and being successful, the duo would hopefully try to force Hatfield to throw the ball more.

"It was the best redshirt year I think anybody can have," Dillard said. "We were talking noise to the first-team defense. It was a blast. I was catching so many balls. I'm catching 15-16 passes in practice, running the same route and getting better because we practiced so much and Chase is reading defenses. We tell the scout team now, have fun and make it enjoyable and you'll see the results later on."

Clement and Dillard might have had fun in 2004, but the following year they couldn't force Hatfield to change the offense and ended up finishing 1-10, including an 0-8 start.

A year later, Hatfield resigned and Rice hired former Tulsa assistant Todd Graham. The triple-option was out and it was finally time to open up the offense with the former scout-team stars.

What a difference a season would make.

Clement threw 21 touchdowns with only five interceptions in eight starts, while Dillard blossomed into one of the best wide receivers in the nation with 91 catches, 1,247 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rice also played in its first bowl game in 45 years.

Clement and Dillard were looking forward to improving in 2007 during their junior seasons, but Graham took the head coaching job at Tulsa, meaning it was time for the duo to see its third coach in as many seasons.

It would be a rough one under first-year coach David Bailiff, losing nine games, including 16-14 to Nicholls State in the season opener. The team also had heartbreaking losses to Houston (56-48), Memphis (38-35) and Tulsa (48-43).

Clement and Rice would see setbacks, too, with Clement throwing 16 interceptions in 12 starts, while Dillard's numbers went down across the board, finishing with less catches, yards and TDs than the year before.

"After we went to the bowl and having success, we pressed a lot and tried to do too much. I think that's what led to that," Clement said. "I've learned to take the easy ones and not forcing anything. (Offensive coordinator) Tom Herman told the story about John Elway -- the reason why he was so good, he never got bored with taking the 5-yard hit, the 6-yard slant and the underneath routes, not trying to make the 30-yard throw downfield all the time."

It wasn't all on Clement either, because opposing defenses weren't going to let his little 5-foot-11 Biletnikoff Award finalist get open so easily anymore.

"I did not recognize how hard it would be to go against double teams," Dillard said. "I had no idea they did what they did. I knew I would see more of it my junior season, but not to the extent that I did. It was mind-boggling. We've never been exposed to that and it was something we had to adjust too and we did toward the end of the season."

Thing have acclimated quite nicely with Rice enjoying one of its best seasons in school history and a possible 10-win season if the Owls beat Houston and win their bowl game.

"Being in the same offense for two years has really helped," Dillard said. "Hearing the same terminology and getting the same coaching really helps. You don't want to go through three coaches in three years, but that's what makes this team so special. We were able to bond and get through it and you can see how much better we came out of it. In the long run it was a good thing for us."

So what’s next for the former scout teamers?

After the season, both will graduate and hope not to get overlooked by NFL scouts. And just maybe the friends will find themselves on the same team at the professional level.

"That would be phenomenal," Dillard said. "They'd have to make a movie about that."