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Rice Women’s Basketball Surges Past UT-Arlington

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A close game at halftime turned into a blowout midway through the third quarter as Rice women’s basketball posted another home win, this time over UT-Arlington.

In front of stands of chattering youngsters at Tudor Fieldhouse on Friday morning, Rice women’s basketball notched yet another win. The Owls made things interesting in the early moments, missing their first six field goals and allowing UT-Arlington to go ahead 6-0, despite the Owls holding the Mavericks to a 3-for-17 start from the field.

That defense would pay off, though. Rice quickly retook the lead and kept the margin at a couple of possessions through the second quarter and into halftime. Aniah Alexis contributed 13 of the Owls’ first-half points, playing all 20 minutes as she paced the team on both ends of the court.

MORE: Scott Abell Inks Tremendous 2026 Rice Football Recruiting Class

When the second half arrived, Rice women’s basketball took over. Shelby Hayes helped spark a decisive Rice run to put the home team up by double-digits. The lead would only grow from there. A jumper from Hayes in the early moments of the fourth quarter put Rice up by 21, allowing the Owls to empty the benches and cruise to a comfortable victory.

With the win, Rice women’s basketball improves to 8-3 on the season and 5-0 at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Final Box | Rice 75, UT Arlington 54

Key takeaway | Toughness Wins

This isn’t the first runaway win Rice women’s basketball has posted this season, but each victory has had its own unique flavor. Against UT-Arlington, Rice was able to use its physicality to dictate the game, wearing their opponent down through the course of the game and getting to the line 30 times, just the third time this season they’ve had at least that many free throw attempts.

But it’s those extra foul shots combined with a double-digit advantage in the rebounding department that turned this game into a rout. Rice has only had a rebounding margin this large on one other instance this season, against Illinois State, a game they won.

So much focus has been given to the developing offense this year, and rightly so, but this team already has the tools to get to the line and win under the basket. Becoming even more consistent on that front could make this squad truly lethal on days the offense is firing on all cylindars, too.

Up Next: vs UT Arlington (Fri. Dec. 12 at 11:15 am)

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2025 Rice Football Recruiting Winter Transfer Portal Tracker

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The 2025 Rice Football regular season is over, and the Transfer Portal is open. Here’s the latest on who’s coming and going from South Main.

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Enter Now: The Roost’s Bowl Challenge

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Rice Football is postseason-bound, and The Roost wants to play along. Join our free Bowl Mania Challenge. We’ll dish out prizes to the top finishers in January.

We’re running it back again this year with another edition of The Roost’s Bowl Challenge. Join the pool here, it’s completely free. This year’s winner can expect a gift card from our partners at Homefield Apparallel, plus additional prizes for our runners-up.

Join the pool and pop into the discussion on our Discord channel to follow along for the big games and get access to everything you need for Rice football vs Texas State on January 2nd. We’ll have practice updates and more on the site throughout the month, making now the perfect time to subscribe.

Know of someone who needs to get plugged in? You can now gift memberships of any length to The Roost! From one month to a full year, share this perfect stocking stuffer for friends and family now!

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Rice Football 2025: NFL Owls Week 14 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2025 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 14.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

TeamNFL Owl(s)This WeekResultNext Week
Washington CommandersLuke McCaffrey (WR)at VikingsL, 31-0at Giants
Atlanta FalconsElijah Garcia (DL)vs SeahawksL, 37-9at Bucs (TNF)
Philadelphia EaglesKylen Granson (TE)at Chargers (MNF)L, 22-19 (OT)vs Raiders
Jacksonville JaguarsAustin Trammell (WR)vs ColtsW, 36-19vs Jets
Detroit LionsJack Fox (P)vs Cowboys (Thr)W, 44-30at Rams
Pittsburgh SteelersChris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		at RavensW, 27-22vs Dolphins (MNF)

Defense

Elijah Garcia – DL, Falcons

Garcia made his Atlanta Falcons’ debut this past weekend, registering two tackles on 16 snaps against the Seahawks. He also played on special teams.

Offense

Austin Trammell – WR, Jaguars

Trammell was not targeted on offense this week, but did record his first punt return of the season, taking it 15 yards. He also played a handful of snaps with the offense and handled other special teams duties.

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

After appearing in eight consecutive games for the Steelers, Anderson was inactive this past week.

Kylen Granson – TE, Eagles

Granson made a big impact on special teams on Monday Night Football, making three tackles. He also played a few offensive snaps.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted twice in the Lions’ Week 14 win over the Cowboys, averaging 42 yards per kick with a long of 42 yards. He pinned one of his kicks inside the 20 yard line.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell was a perfect 2-of-2 on his field goal tries against the Ravens this week, converting all three of his extra point attempts, as well. He is 21-of-24 on field goals this season, including one blocked kick.

Injured Reserve

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve with a broken collarbone suffered during the Commanders’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 and is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football to play Texas State in Armed Forces Bowl

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The 2025 Rice Football season isn’t done yet. The Owls are heading to the Armed Forces Bowl to play Texas State.

For the second time in the past four seasons, good grades will work in the favor of Rice football. Although they finished the regular season 5-7 and one win away from securing bowl eligibility, the Owls will accept a bowl bid as the highest-rated program in the Academic Progress Rate that was not already part of the initial field.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Rice football has accepted a bid to play in the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2. This will be the Owls’ second trip to the bowl game, most recently playing in it in 2012. The Owls’ opponent is slated to be Texas State.

“I think any opportunity you have like this in a postseason for your program, especially year one,” head coach Scott Abell said. “The opportunity to go to a ball game, the opportunity to represent Rice. And the possibility of getting Rice its first bowl win since 2014. I’m really excited to take the field with this team one more time, 2025. I’m excited for the experience for our players, our alumni and our fanbase.”

MORE: Scott Abell Inks Tremendous 2026 Rice Football Recruiting Class

Decisions by Kansas State and Iowa State not to play in a bowl game, both of which came on Selection Sunday, opened the door for Rice football to extend its season. This will mark the third bowl game Rice football will play in in the span of four seasons. That’s just the second time the program has achieved that.

Abell made it clear the Owls won’t be content to just show up, though. They want to win.

“I think [a win] would be a great, great way to leave a legacy for these seniors, to wrap up 2025 and really to set the standard for what we want [2026] and the future to look like,” he said. “I think the team will be incredibly proud if they can secure a victory for Rice University and Rice Football and to bring so much joy back to our alumni base who fought so hard to see a better future for our program.”

Rice Football Recent Bowl History

  • 2023 First Responder Bowl: Rice lost to Texas State
  • 2022 Lending Tree Bowl: Rice lost to South Miss
  • 2014 Hawaii Bowl: Rice defeated Freson State
  • 2013 Liberty Bowl: Rice lost to Mississippi State
  • 2012 Armed Forces Bowl: Rice defeated Air Force
  • 2008 Texas Bowl: Rice defeated Western Michigan
  • 2006 New Orleans Bowl: Rice lost to Troy
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