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Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Houston

August 31, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

Rice football returns home for the last scheduled installment of the Bayou Bucket against crosstown rival Houston How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

The 2025 battle for the Bayou Bucket pits a pair of undefeated teams following Week 1 wins by Rice football and Houston in their respective openers. The Owls upset Louisiana in their first game, knocking off the defending Sun Belt West Division champs on the road. The Cougars took care of business against Stephen F. Austin. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between Rice and Houston.

Kickoff time | 6:00 PM CT
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, TX
TV | ESPN+ (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Sizing up the contenders

Houston is a year ahead of Rice football on their reboot, going through their first year growing pains with head coach Willie Fritz in 2024 with hopes that 2025 would be marked by a turn for the better. Rice is just beginning that process, although an upset win the opener does raise the question as to how quickly the Owls can flip the script and become a consistent winner.

The Cougars need this one to prove to themselves they’re on schedule. To some extent, the Owls are playing with house money, but a 2-0 start — which would be their first 2-0 start since 2008 — would put the rest of the college football world on notice that the 2025 Rice football teams has no intentions of a slow build.

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Last Time Out

Make sure you check out The Roost Podcast every week this season as we review the Owls’ most recent game, breaking down the key moments, decisions and their impact on the outlook of the program moving forward.

Series History

All Time | Houston leads, 34-12
Last Five | Houston leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Away 2024, Houston won 33-7

Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Jenkins – 7/9 (77.7 percent), 45 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing | Jackson – 22 carries, 119 yards (5.4 yards per carry), 1 TD / Alexander – 15 carries, 74 yards (4.9 yards per carry)
Receiving | Dickmann – 3 receptions, 44 yards (14.7 yds/rec)
Tackles | Awe – 6, Stevenson – 5 , Anyanwu/Daley – 4
Pass Breakups | Daley – 1
Interceptions | Kane – 1

Houston Stat Notables

Passing | Weigman – 15/24 (62.5 percent), 159 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Rushing | Connors – 15 carries, 50 yards (3.3 yds/car), Burnette – 10 carries, 40 yards (4.0 yds/car)
Receiving | Koziol – 7 receptions, 63 yards (9.0 yds/rec), 1 TD, Amare Thomas – 3 receptions, 44 yards (14.7 yds/rec)
Tackles | Garner – 6, Webb – 5, James – 4
Pass Breakups | Vedder – 2, Five others tied with one
Interceptions | Stampley/Douglas – 1

Houston X-Factor | Win the Line of Scrimmage

The Cougars faired well in the trenches in their opener against Stephen F. Austin, holding the Lumberjacks to 1.6 yards per carry while racking up two sacks and five tackles for a loss. Against a Rice offense bent on running the ball, that level of control becomes even more important, especially as Houston continues its transition from Group of 5 program to a legitimate power conference squad.

In the interim, that means Houston will be relying on a mixture of transfer pieces and home grown players to secure the most meaningful yards on the field and set the terms of engagement up front. If they can do that, they’ll have the Owls on their heels. If not, control of the game shifts back towards the home team who already proved a week ago they have what it takes to upset a talented team in red.

Rice X-Factor | Stay on schedule

It was a tale of two halves for the Rice football offense against Louisiana. Before the break, Rice moved the ball well on first and second down and reached third and manageable with regularity. Following the halftime whistle, Louisiana started to perform better on early downs and got Rice into third and long, stifling the Owls’ opportunities to move the ball.

Trusting a two point lead worked a week ago, but it’s not a recipe for success, especially as Rice breaks in a new quarterback that wasn’t his best in those pure passing situations in his debut. There’s room for Chase Jenkins to grow into that, but Rice would much prefer that adjustment happens on their terms, not situations created by the Houston defense.

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One Final Thing

Given a schedule that opened with Louisiana and Houston, the oddsmakers pegged Rice football as an 0-2 team entering Week 3. Not only were those prognostications wrong, but the Owls have an opportunity to flip them on their heads with one more quite consequential rivalry win.

Knocking of Houston and Louisiana in back-to-back weeks would officially declare this team as good enough to challenge every team remaining on their schedule. Real conversations could start to be had about potential bowl berths and a season in which success went beyond just proof that this offense could work.

But even if that doesn’t happen and Rice splits their first two games, this upcoming contest against Houston will set the tone for how this program moves forward. There’s a lot to clean up from the opener and plenty of opportunities to take the next step as an offense. The most important thing Rice football can do on Saturday is take that next step. They’re already ahead of schedule.

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Recent Posts
  • Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Houston
  • American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup
  • Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut
  • Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

Filed Under: Featured, Football, Premium Tagged With: Game preview, Rice Football

American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup

August 31, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army0-1 (0-0)vs Tarleton StL, 30-27 (OT)at Kansas St
Charlotte0-1 (0-0)vs AppL, 34-11vs N Carolina
ECU0-1 (0-0)at NC StL, 24-17vs Campbell
FAU0-1 (0-0)at MarylandL, 39-7vs FAMU
Memphis1-0 (0-0)vs ChattanoogaW, 45-10at Georgia St
Navy1-0 (0-0)vs VMIW, 52-7vs UAB
North Texas1-0 (0-0)vs LamarW, 51-0at W. Michigan
Rice1-0 (0-0)at LouisianaW, 14-12vs Houston
Temple1-0 (0-0)at UMassW, 42-10vs Howard
Tulane1-0 (0-0)vs NorthwesternW, 23-3at S Alabama
Tulsa1-0 (0-0)vs ACUW, 35-7at NMSU
UAB1-0 (0-0)vs Alabama StW, 52-42at Navy
USF1-0 (0-0)vs Boise StW, 34-7at Florida
UTSA0-1 (0-0)at Texas A&ML, 42-24vs Texas St

Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll

G5 Standard Bearer Goes Down

Boise State has been the cream of the crop of programs outside the Power conferences for decades now and represented that cohort in the College Football Playoff last season. Beating the Broncos would have been impressive in its own right, but the South Florida Bulls did more than that, thrashing the defending MWC champs in a blowout victory on Thursday night in front of a national audience.

Troops Stumble Against the Texans

Army, the defending American Conference champs, who recently clinched that title on their home turf, suffered a crushing loss to FCS Tarleton State at West Point on Friday night. Newly installed quarterback Dewayne Coleman was effective, but a pair of missed field goals, including a crucial kick in overtime, dropped the Cadets to 0-1 on the season.

New-Look Owls Fly High

In the first game of the Scott Abell era, Rice football upset Louisiana on the road, spoiling the Ragin’ Cajuns’ first game at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. The Owls won their first home opener since 2018 and their first road contest since the 2023 season. Not a bad start for the double-digit road dogs.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

Going for Two?

South Florida was a trendy college football playoff pick a year ago before quarterback Byrum Brown went down with an injury. This time around the Bulls already have a Top 25 win under their belt and take a trip to No. 15 Florida in Week 2. Can the Bulls pull of one more upset? If so they’d be firmly in the driver’s seat among the Group of 5 playoff hopefuls, clearly boasting the best resume possible to this point.

Bye Bye to the Bucket

No more scheduled contests remain between Houston and Rice football, the closest FBS institutions who have played nearly annually for the Bayou Bucket Trophy. The Owls upset the Cougars in 2023 to claim it before Houston took the Bucket back last season. Whoever wins on Saturday could have it in their trophy collection for some time.

High Stakes Early Season Tilts

In addition to the two power conference matchups above, the American should have at least a few additional opportunities to notch some signature wins. UTSA will want a bounce-back win after their season-opening loss to Texas A&M and some revenge from last season’s beatdown at the hands of the Texas State Bobcats.

Tulane will look to improve to 2-0 with a road trip to South Alabama and Army will look to rebound from this week’s disaster against a reeling Kansas State team, which barely snuck past FCS North Dakota in Week 1.

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Recent Posts
  • Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Houston
  • American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup
  • Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut
  • Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

Filed Under: AAC, Archive, Football Tagged With: AAC

Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut

August 30, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

Head coach Scott Abell and Rice Football made a statement in their season opener, knocking off Louisiana in their first-ever game at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

Following months of intrigue, the Gun-Choice offense took center stage at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on Saturday night as Rice football put their new scheme on display for the world to see. Head coach Scott Abell didn’t look overmatched in his first ever game as an FBS head coach, guiding his program to their first road win since 2023 and their first win in a season opening game since 2018.

More: 2025 Rice Football Preseason Superlatives

“It feels great. I think for me, I’m not surprised. I’m incredibly excited for our guys and I’m proud, but I’m not surprised,” Abell said. “I thought we had a good game plan coming into this. We thought we could move the football. We thought we could control the clock. I’m not surprised, but to get a win on the road against such a quality program… to come here into their home stadium and get that kind of gritty win, that makes me as the head coach here incredibly proud of players.”

Here are a few immediate reactions from the game:

Option Offense As Advertised

The first Rice football drive of the Scott Abell era featured a pair of first downs, one on a pop-pass/sweep by Drayden Dickmann and another on a punishing run up the middle from Daelen Alexander. A busted third-down play quelled the momentum and led to a punt, but the full potency of the Owls’ dynamic attack was revealed in full on their ensuing possession.

Following a field goal by Louisiana, Rice marched down the field on 13 plays, driving 72 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Landon Ransom got the first touch. Alexander, the next. Then Quinton Jackson and then Tyson Thompson. Rice willed the ball into the redzone only for the buzzer to sound, ending the first quarter. Jackson kept it on the next play and took it down to the one. Then Jackson walked into the endzone untouched.

Aaron Turner was the next Owl to get into the endzone, taking an end-around to the pylon and sneaking the ball across the line. Turner’s score is a masterclass in why this offense can be so effective. The defense sees so many bells and whistles on this run, but Turner is just moving at full speed across the formation and racing his man to the endzone.

Here's the Aaron Turner touchdown. Look how simple Turner's concept is, but how intricate it looks to the defense at the same time. It's wonderful.pic.twitter.com/6Wk5F3STVZ

— The Roost (@AtTheRoost) August 31, 2025

It wasn’t a perfect debut. The second half showcased some of the issues when a run-based attack gets behind schedule with a couple of three-and-outs on the offense, which looked awkward when forced into third-and-long situations.

How much of that changes when Jenkins and this staff have more experience in those scenarios remains to be seen. Abell pointed toward the opportunities now afforded to them with actual game film under their belts. “You gotta learn how to win first,” Abell said. “And that was a great step toward that tonight.”

Daelen Alexander is Back

Midway through practice two years ago, Daelen Alexander emerged from obscurity, earning a role as the Owls’ goal line back after an injury in the middle of a practice period thrust the then-freshman into the spotlight. He dazzled in that role, scoring five touchdowns on 18 rush attempts before an injury cut his season short.

Alexander lost all of the 2024 season with another injury, landing him back in the middle of a crowded running back room in a new offense. Quinton Jackson emerged as the clear RB1 immediately upon Abell’s arrival, but Alexander wasn’t solidified as the team’s RB2 until midway through fall camp.

More: Join the Conversation on The Roost Discord

In the Owls’ opener, Jackson and Alexander operated as an effective one-two punch with Alexander’s power playing off Jenkins’ quickness to great effect. Alexander carried the ball nine 15 times for 74 yards, boasting a sturdy 4.9 yards per attempt. More impressive still, those runs were bruising runs, going through defenders and propelling them backwards.

His most important runs of the game came quite some time later when he bulldozed through defenders again to move the chains on third down in the redzone. That setup up a crucial fourth and one that could have proved to be the game-winner had a mishandled snap squashed the chance.

The preseason excitement around the tandem of freshmen running backs Tyvonn Byars and D’Andre Hardeman was well deserved — and they will get their turn in this deep stable of backs — but Rice football has a clear one-two punch right now.

Defensive Line Shines Bright

As deep as the defensive line was purported to be, there was always an unspoken expectation that this unit would only truly have the chance to make the leap from good to great if an alpha emerged. It’s still quite early in the season, but Joseph Mutombo threw his hat into the ring on Saturday night.

Mutombo altered the outlook of the first Louisiana drive by winning his rep and thumping Cajuns’ quarterback Walker Howard who was flagged for intentional grounding on the play. On the next drive, Mutombo flew into the face of Howard again, forcing a panicked deep throw which Jack Kane stepped in front of for the Owls’ first interception of the season. Official statistics credit Mutombo with one sack of the Owls’ three sacks and the only hurry in the game.

The rest of the line did their part, too. Tony Anyanwu made his first big play as an Owl on the next possession, knocking the ball from Walker’s hands for a fumble. Blake Boenisch fell on it to take possession back for Rice. Three drives in and Rice football got three big plays by the line on their way to a two-score lead on the road.

Some of the defensive numbers will appear a bit inflated when paired opposite an offense that is going to naturally minimized possessions for their opponents. Nonetheless, allowing one touchdown and 12 total points in your season opener against an FBS team is quite a strong statement from a unit that entered the season with relatively high expectations.

It’s also quite fitting that it was the defense that slammed the door with edge Michael Daley tipping the final pass at the line of scrimmage to thwart the Cajuns’ late rally attempt. Daley, the latest in a growing line of defenders to make a big play in a big moment, was ecstatic. “It was amazing. It goes to show the kind of guys that we have on this football team,” he said. “We have a lot of great players that can make big plays in big-time moments.”

Proof of Concept, Passed

The biggest question entering this game was not whether or not Rice would win, although that was certainly a very important unknown needing to be answered. No, the quandary truly being tested in Lafayette, LA was whether or not this offense would work. Would all the misdirection and jazz actually prove to be an efficient way of moving the football against an FBS-caliber defense.

Answer: Yes.

Now, all the caveats of a Week 1 game against a team without any film of this offense being run at Rice are valid. However, its undeniable these concepts have some juice and warrant further inspection. Cue a rivalry game against Houston in what currently is the last Bayou Bucket game scheduled between the two crosstown teams.

Athletic Director Tommy McClelland went off the beaten path when he hired an FCS head coach running a “Gun Option Choice” at a small private school in North Carolina. The hire wasn’t “safe” or “conventional” by any means. But it just might work.

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It’s all about the YAC

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Recent Posts
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  • American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup
  • Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut
  • Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: Aaron Turner, Blake Boenisch, Chase Jenkins, Daelen Alexander, Drayden Dickmann, game recap, Jack Kane, Joseph Mutombo, Landon Ransom, Michael Daley, Quinton Jackson, Rice Football, Tony Anyanwu, Tyson Thompson

Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

August 29, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

The 2025 Rice football season is right around the corner. Here’s the final forecast for player superlatives this fall.

There are high expectations for a host of individual Rice football players this season. The roster is deep and there appear to be playmakers at a variety of positions. Handing out superlatives is always a challenging exercise, and the schematic shift on offense won’t make it any easier. Here’s where I landed. Who did I miss? Which other players have breakout campaigns in 2025?

 THIS WEEK ONLY: Get 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 when you purchase an annual subscription of The Roost with the code 𝗖𝗙𝗕𝟮𝟱. Pay for the rest of the year, but get Rice Football season on us. Expires Saturday.  Become a Patron!
Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

This piece is part of our 2025 Rice Football Season Preview. Get access to it, as well as all other preview posts such as positional breakdowns, depth chart and schedule analysis and more when you subscribe on Patreon today. 

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Recent Posts
  • Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Houston
  • American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup
  • Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut
  • Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: 2025 Rice Football Season Preview, Rice Football

Rice Football 2025: Louisiana Game Week Practice Notes

August 28, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

The first Rice football game of the Scott Abell era is upon us and the Owls are ready to go. Here’s the latest from the practice field this week.

The (unofficial) Rice football depth chart has mostly worked itself out. Chase Jenkins has started to put his mark on the offense and a few individual standouts have warranted notice in the last few days before the season opener.

Jenkins insists this team is ready to go and is as locked in as they could be before such an important game.

Rice Football Preseason Preview: Check out the rest of the series here.

“It’s us versus anybody else,” he said this week. “I feel like we go to each game, home or away, wherever we play — we could play in a parking lot — we’re going to go out there with the same mindset each time and go out there and play our best and play our game and then the result will show.”

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 THIS WEEK ONLY: Get 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 when you purchase an annual subscription of The Roost with the code 𝗖𝗙𝗕𝟮𝟱. Pay for the rest of the year, but get Rice Football season on us. Expires Saturday.  Become a Patron!

This update provides some more insight into Jenkins’ evolution in the offense, who will fill out the depth chart behind him and a few more notes as the team prepares for the first game of the season in a few days time.

Chase Jenkins is ready to roll

Subscriber content. Please login to see the full post or visit our Patreon page.
Sorry! This part of content is hidden behind this box because it requires a higher contribution level ($10) at Patreon. Why not take this chance to increase your contribution?
Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

Recent Posts
  • Rice Football 2025 Game Preview: Houston
  • American Conference Football 2025: Week 1 Roundup
  • Rice Football knocks off Louisiana in Scott Abell’s Debut
  • Rice Football 2025 Season Preview: Preseason Superlatives

Filed Under: Archive, Football, Premium Tagged With: Aaron Turner, Ahran Ogbor, AJ Padgett, Alex Bacchetta, Andrew Awe, Aquantis Clemmons, Artis Cole, Blaise Tita, Blake Boenisch, Braylen Walker, Carson Morgan, Chase Allen, Chase Jenkins, Chibby Nwajuaku, Chris Clark, Cooper King, Cullen Witt, D'Andre Hardeman, Daelen Alexander, Daveon Hook, David Kasemervisz, David Stickle, DeMone Green, Dillan Botts, Drayden Dickmann, Drew Devillier, Ejike Adele, Elroyal Morris, Enoch Gota, Ephraim Dotson, Jack Kane, James Falk, Jerrick Harper, Jo Chavez, John Long, Joseph Mutombo, Khary Crump, Landon Ransom, Lucas Scheerhorn, Luke Miller, Luke Needham, Marcus Williams, Max Balthazar, Micah Barnett, Michael Daley, Nate Bledsoe, Netane Fehoko, Omari Porter, Owen Carter, Patrick Crayton, Patrick Valent, Payton Matthews, Peyton Stevenson, Plae Wyatt, practice notes, Quinton Jackson, Rice Football, Ryan Butler, Sam Carrell, Sean Sullivan, Ty Morris, Tyson Thompson, Tyvonn Byars, Weston Kropp, wyatt freeman

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