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Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

Rice wide receiver Jarett Dillard can't explain his relationship with Rice quarterback Chase Clement, but he doesn't question it.

From the moment the two stepped on campus five years ago, they've had a chemistry that is unmatched by any other quarterback-receiver duo in the country. That bond has led both to set numerous school, Conference USA and NCAA records.

And their senior season is just getting started.

"We're both born and bred San Antonio guys and we were both under recruited coming to Rice, we felt like we had something to prove," Dillard said. "We're both playing football with a chip on our shoulder. That just brought us together. Like magnetic forces."

Clement said as true freshmen, the two would stay after practice and he'd throw passes while Dillard worked on his routes. By their junior seasons, both knew what the other was thinking just by making eye contact.

"We've spent a lot of time in the offseason throwing routes, we've spent a lot of time in San Antonio throwing routes, so I think it's just the time spent throwing with each other," Clement said. "I know what kind of a player he is and just where he's going to be. I trust him so much with his routes and knowing that he's going to take six steps when he's supposed to take six and not take five."

Clement has thrown 36 touchdown passes to Dillard in their career and three more will set an NCAA record for a quarterback-receiver duo. Overall, Clement has set 18 school records, and he set four Conference USA records last season. Dillard is college's active leader in career receptions (220), receiving yardage (2,983) and touchdown catches (44).

Despite all the records and chemistry Clement and Dillard share, the one thing the two have never shared is a bowl victory.

In 2006, both players helped Rice to the New Orleans Bowl, the team's first bowl since 1961, but they fell to Troy, 41-17. This season, the Owls already have two wins -- both conference wins -- and are one victory away from tying their total all of last season. If Rice completes a winning season, it will be just the seventh in 45 years, and coach David Bailiff said if it happens, Clement and Dillard will be part of the reason why.

"I'll tell you where Chase has grown. A year ago, if someone dropped a pass you could tell," Bailiff said. "This year, Chase just goes back to the huddle, puts it out of his mind and it's about the next play. Jarett's the same way. Jarett had some very uncharacteristic drops last week. But he just went right back to the huddle, took responsibility, tried to learn from it and get better. That's just the attitude that they have and it's permeating this whole program."

Clement and Dillard, along with linebacker Brian Raines, were named captains as sophomores. That year, the players re-committed themselves to the program and started summer conditioning workouts at 5:30 a.m. Dillard said it brought the team closer because they were all holding each other accountable for showing up every morning.

The season following the bowl game, Rice kept up its leadership, but a new coaching staff and injuries led to a disappointing 3-9 season. Clement and Dillard provided as much offense as they could, but it wasn't enough.

This season, the attitude is different. With everyone healthy, the team has set its sights on a conference championship and a bowl victory. Clement and Dillard have connected for four touchdown passes in two games and Dillard's 155 yards have accounted for 27 percent of Clement passing total so far this season.

The duo also has the trust of the coach. During practices, the seniors are the first ones to make sure things are organized and there's little goofing off. And on road trips, Bailiff said he relies on his seniors to do bed checks.

"We have amazing senior leadership and everything, as you know, begins and ends with those guys," Bailiff said. "This is the first time I feel like as captains they can influence a whole team. They have really responded to helping the coaches keep everyone accountable.

"I knew that when I took the job, but the other thing I know is that all things that are great are built, they just don't happen."

Clement and Dillard could say the same thing about their relationship and their on-field chemistry. Although the star quarterback and star receiver were drawn to each other initially, they've worked hard to keep the magic alive. But that chemistry will mean little if they can't turn it into wins.

"Our relationship is unexplainable," Dillard said. "It's something that I've never had with any of my quarterbacks in the past. That's three quarterbacks in my developing football play. But by far, the relationship that I've built with Chase is the most knowledgeable. It's just crazy to see how we both play together. It's almost as if we're just made to do this."