Matt Sykes News, Rumors, Updates - Rice Owls

Productive in season finale Sykes tallied seven receptions (on 10 targets) for 118 yards during Saturday's 35-28 win over South Florida.

Impact Sykes had another strong performance Saturday as he gained a season-high 118 yards. He was targeted 10 times for the fourth straight game and he caught seven passes for the fifth time this season. He had by far the best season of his career in his final season as he caught 65 passes (on 104 targets) for 782 yards and five touchdowns.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in loss to UAB Sykes accrued three receptions (on nine targets) for 19 yards during Saturday's 40-14 loss against UAB.

Impact Although he was targeted nine times for the seventh time in his last eight games, Sykes had a very quiet outing Saturday. He logged just 19 yards on three catches, both of which were his fewest since Week 3 at Houston. He faces a favorable matchup Saturday versus South Florida where he will look to end his season on a high note.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another productive day Sykes accrued six receptions (on 11 targets) for 76 yards and one touchdown during Friday's 27-20 loss to Memphis.

Impact Sykes caught another touchdown Friday, a 27-yard catch late in the first half. It marked his fifth touchdown catch of the season. He also led the team in receptions and receiving yards, something that has become a near weekly occurrence thanks to his great connection with E.J. Warner.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Productive in win over Navy Sykes recorded eight receptions (on 10 targets) for 93 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 24-10 victory against Navy.

Impact After a quiet outing last week without quarterback E.J. Warner, Sykes bounced back Saturday with one of his best performances of the season as Warner returned to the lineup. He tied a season high with eight receptions and gained a season-high 93 yards through the air. He also caught his fourth touchdown of the season, a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Sykes has been very productive and consistent this season and should be able to continue that trend Friday at Memphis.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles versus UConn Sykes reeled in 3 of 5 targets for 24 yards during Saturday's 17-10 defeat against Connecticut.

Impact Sykes did not get much going Saturday as he gained just 24 yards, his second-fewest this season. After being targeted at least nine times in each of the previous four games -- all with quarterback E.J. Warner -- Sykes saw just five with Drew Devillier. It's currently unclear what the Owls are going to do at quarterback on Saturday versus Navy, and Sykes' value seems to hinge on Warner starting.

OCTOBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Seven catches in loss Sykes gathered in 7 of 9 targets for 74 yards during Saturday's 24-10 loss versus Tulane.

Impact Sykes had yet another high-volume performance Saturday as he was targeted nine times for the fourth straight game and made seven catches for the third consecutive contest. He has accumulated over 74 yards receiving in five of seven games this season, giving him a solid floor week-to-week. He is clearly E.J. Warner's favorite target down field and Warner is throwing the ball nearly 40 times per game.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores game-winning touchdown Sykes had seven receptions (on nine targets) for 85 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 29-27 win against Texas-San Antonio.

Impact Sykes caught an 18-yard touchdown with four seconds left in Saturday's game, a score which secured the Owls' first conference win of the season. He has now gained over 80 yards in each of his last three games and has at least six catches and at least nine targets in every game over that stretch. That consistency should give him a nice floor for the rest of the season.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Another productive day Sykes hauled in 8 of 14 targets for 97 yards during Saturday's 21-20 loss versus Charlotte.

Impact Sykes further established himself as EJ Warner's go-to target as he set season highs in receptions, targets and receiving yards in Saturday's win. He now has 24 targets in the last two weeks alone, which is volume very few players in the country are receiving. Although the Owls have a relatively tough conference schedule compared to their counterparts, Sykes should still be able to produce given his high volume.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back on track Saturday Sykes accrued six receptions (on 10 targets) for 82 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 37-14 defeat versus Army.

Impact After a rough outing last week versus Houston, Sykes bounced back with season highs in receiving yards and targets. He also scored his second touchdown of the season, a 16-yard reception in the third quarter. Outside of running back Dean Connors, Sykes has established himself as E.J. Warner's favorite target which is a valuable role given how often the team has been throwing the ball.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in blowout win Sykes tallied two receptions (on five targets) for 47 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 69-7 win over Texas Southern.

Impact Sykes scored a 34-yard touchdown in Saturday's win, his first touchdown since the 2022 season as a UCLA player. He was targeted five times for the second consecutive week, a sign that E.J. Warner has developed some trust with Sykes. He will likely have more opportunities Saturday at Houston given the Owls will likely need to throw the ball early and often.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in opener Sykes gathered in 6 of 7 targets for 74 yards during Saturday's 34-14 loss against Sam Houston State.

Impact Sykes led receivers and tight ends in receptions, targets and receiving yards Saturday, a nice way to start the season. Although this production came with Landon Ransom-Goelz (undisclosed) sitting out, Sykes still showed he has a strong connection with new quarterback E.J. Warner. Still, Sykes' true place in the Owls' offense will be discovered once Ransom-Goelz is able to return to the field.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as starter Sykes is listed as a starter for Saturday's opener versus Sam Houston State, Sports of SHSU reports.

Impact Sykes is listed as one of the Owls' three starting receivers alongside Drayden Dickmann and Braylen Walker. He appeared in 10 games last season and was targeted six times and made one catch for 32 yards.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Lands with Rice Sykes announced via Twitter on Tuesday that he has committed to transfer to Rice.

Impact Sykes entered the portal earlier this month after totaling just 10 catches in three years with UCLA. He should have two more years of eligibility remaining.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaving UCLA Sykes entered the transfer portal Tuesday.

Impact Sykes accumulated 10 receptions over his career with the Burins. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver appeared in all but one game for the Bruins this season, though all six of his receptions came across two of these contests. Sykes will now enter the portal as a graduate senior with two remaining seasons of collegiate eligibility.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits game Friday Sykes (undisclosed) is out for the remainder of Friday's showdown with Pittsburgh, James H. Williams of the Orange County Register reports.

Impact Sykes has come back from the locker room dressed in street clothes and he will not re-enter the contest. The 6-foot-4 junior did not record any stats prior to exiting, and he will finish the season with six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown across five games.

DECEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

UCLA Receiver Matt Sykes on Getting Conference Road Win, His Bigger Role UCLA receiver Matt Sykes answered questions after the win over Colorado, about his bigger role in this game, the efficiency of the offense a...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Grabs first TD of college career Sykes caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-17 win over Colorado.

Impact The Bruins opened up their bench in the second half, giving Sykes a rare opportunity. His production on Saturday exceeded his total production over the past twi years. We could see more of Sykes against a weaker opponent, but his fantasy impact will be minimal.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Sykes Talks About Offense Gelling, Playing Against Hometown Hawaii UCLA sophomore receiver Matt Sykes talked about how the UCLA offense is really gelling, playing against ex-high school teammates on Hawaii,...

AUGUST 27, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

Matt Sykes Talks Increased Comfort, Personal Goals UCLA receiver Matt Sykes talks about his increased comfort in the offense heading into year two and his own personal goals...

AUGUST 1, 2021 • 247SPORTS.COM

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