2023 Rice Owls football team

American college football season

2023 Rice Owls football

First Responder Bowl, L 21–45 vs. Texas State

Conference| American Athletic Conference
Record| 6–7 (4–4 AAC)
Head coach|

* Mike Bloomgren (6th season)

Offensive coordinator| Marques Tuiasosopo (3rd season)
Offensive scheme| Pro-style
Defensive coordinator| Brian Smith (6th season)
Base defense| Multiple 3–4
Home stadium| Rice Stadium

Seasons

<- 2022

2024 ->

2023 American Athletic Conference football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf. |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
No. 22 SMU y$  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 3  |
Tulane y  |  | 8  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 3  |
UTSA |  | 7  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 9  | - | 4  |
Memphis |  | 6  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 10  | - | 3  |
South Florida |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 6  |
Rice |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 6  | - | 7  |
Navy |  | 4  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
North Texas |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 5  | - | 7  |
UAB |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 8  |
Florida Atlantic |  | 3  | - | 5  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 8  |
Charlotte |  | 2  | - | 6  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 9  |
Tulsa |  | 2  | - | 6  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 8  |
Temple |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 9  |
East Carolina |  | 1  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 10  |
Championship: SMU 26, Tulane 14

* $ - Conference champion
* y - Championship game participant

Rankings from AP Poll

The 2023 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University and competed in their first season as members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by head coach Mike Bloomgren, who was coaching his sixth season with the team. The Owls played their home games at the Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Rice Owls football team drew an average home attendance of 20,542 in 2023.

## Preseason

[edit]

### Media poll

[edit]

The American Athletic Conference preseason poll was released on July 25. The Owls were predicted to finish twelfth in the conference.[1]

Media poll

Predicted finish  | Team  | Votes (1st place)
1 | Tulane | 457 (20)
2 | UTSA | 440 (9)
3 | SMU | 397 (3)
4 | Memphis | 362 (1)
5 | Florida Atlantic | 312
6 | East Carolina | 303
7 | North Texas | 261
8 | UAB | 209 (1)
9 | Navy | 199
10 | Temple | 182
11 | Tulsa | 160
12 | Rice | 138
13 | South Florida | 86
14 | Charlotte | 64

## Schedule

[edit]

Rice and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) announced the 2023 football schedule on February 21, 2023.[2]

Date| Time| Opponent| Site| TV| Result| Attendance

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|

September 2| 2:30 p.m.| at No. 11 Texas*|

* Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium
* Austin, TX (rivalry)

| Fox| L 10–37| 98,017
September 9| 6:00 p.m.| Houston*|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX (rivalry)

| NFLN| W 43–41 2OT| 23,425
September 16| 6:00 p.m.| Texas Southern*|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| ESPN+| W 59–7| 18,103
September 23| 3:00 p.m.| at South Florida|

* Raymond James Stadium
* Tampa, FL

| ESPNU| L 29–42| 29,141
September 30| 6:00 p.m.| East Carolina|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| ESPN+| W 24–17| 19,598
October 7| 4:00 p.m.| UConn*|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| ESPN+| L 31–38| 21,207
October 19| 6:00 p.m.| at Tulsa|

* H. A. Chapman Stadium
* Tulsa, OK

| ESPN2| W 42–10| 18,527
October 28| 3:00 p.m.| No. 22 Tulane|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| ESPN2| L 28–30| 20,436
November 4| 6:30 p.m.| SMU|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX (rivalry)

| ESPNU| L 31–36| 21,632
November 11| 6:30 p.m.| at UTSA|

* Alamodome
* San Antonio, TX

| ESPNU| L 14–34| 28,245
November 18| 1:00 p.m.| at Charlotte|

* Jerry Richardson Stadium
* Charlotte, NC

| ESPN+| W 28–7| 9,385
November 25| 12:00 p.m.| Florida Atlantic|

* Rice Stadium
* Houston, TX

| ESPN+| W 24–21| 19,393
December 26| 4:30 p.m.| vs. Texas State*|

* Gerald J. Ford Stadium
* University Park, TX (First Responder Bowl)

| ESPN| L 21–45| 26,542

* *Non-conference game
* Homecoming
* Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 1) released prior to game
* All times are in Central time

## Game summaries

[edit]

### At No. 11 Texas

[edit]

See also: 2023 Texas Longhorns football team

Rice Owls at No. 11 Texas Longhorns – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Owls | 3 | 0 | 0| 7| 10
No. 11 Longhorns | 7 | 9 | 21| 0| 37

at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

* Date: September 2
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 99 °F (37 °C)
* Game attendance: 98,017
* Referee: Tutashinda Salaam
* TV announcers (Fox): Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, and Allison Williams
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Tim Horn 43-yard field goal, 10:07. Owls 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 2:53.
* TEX – Jonathon Brooks 37-yard pass from Quinn Ewers (Bert Auburn kick), 7:27. Longhorns 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:40.

Second quarter

* TEX – Bert Auburn 27-yard field goal, 12:59. Longhorns 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 3:41.
* TEX – Bert Auburn 46-yard field goal, 7:51. Longhorns 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 2:02.
* TEX – Bert Auburn 49-yard field goal, 0:00. Longhorns 16–3. Drive: 16 plays, 66 yards, 4:25.

Third quarter

* TEX – Adonai Mitchell 9-yard pass from Quinn Ewers (Bert Auburn kick), 9:37. Longhorns 23–3. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:40.
* TEX – Ja'Tavion Sanders 44-yard pass from Quinn Ewers (Bert Auburn kick), 5:33. Longhorns 30–3. Drive: 1 play, 44 yards, 0:08.
* TEX – Quinn Ewers 1-yard run (Bert Auburn kick), 0:57. Longhorns 37–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:35.

Fourth quarter

* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 15-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 3:04. Longhorns 37–10. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 9:24.

Statistics | RICE | TEX

|
|

First downs | 8 | 24
Total yards | 176 | 458
Rushing yards | 27 | 158
Passing yards | 149 | 300
Turnovers | 3 | 0
Time of possession | 28:24 | 31:36
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
|

Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 14/26, 149 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Dean Connors | 8 rushes, 23 yards
Receiving | Braylen Walker | 2 receptions, 47 yards
Texas | Passing | Quinn Ewers | 19/30, 260 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Jaydon Blue | 10 rushes, 55 yards
Receiving | Xavier Worthy | 7 receptions, 90 yards

### Houston

[edit]

See also: 2023 Houston Cougars football team

Houston Cougars at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| OT| 2OT| Total

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Cougars | 0 | 7 | 0| 21| 7| 6| 41
Owls | 21 | 7 | 0| 0| 7| 8| 43

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: September 9
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C)
* Game attendance: 23,425
* Referee: Derek Anderson
* TV announcers (NFLN): Doug Sherman and Tyoka Jackson
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 10-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 10:11. Owls 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:44.
* RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 4:17. Owls 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 4:08.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 32-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 3:00. Owls 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:50.

Second quarter

* RICE – Braylen Walker 15-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 8:32. Owls 28–0. Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 6:14.
* HOU – Matthew Golden 10-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick), 2:42. Owls 28–7. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 5:45.

Third quarter

* No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

* HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 14:05. Owls 28–14. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:24.
* HOU – Stacy Sneed 14-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 3:46. Owls 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 2:04.
* HOU – Donovan Smith 1-yard run (Jack Martin kick), 0:15. Tied 28–28. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 2:34.

Overtime

* HOU – Matthew Golden 2-yard pass from Donovan Smith (Jack Martin kick). Cougars 35–28. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
* RICE – Daelen Alexander 3-yard run (Tim Horn kick). Tied 35–35. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.

Second overtime

* RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Daelen Alexander run). Owls 43–35. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
* HOU – Donovan Smith 2-yard run (pass failed). Owls 43–41. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.

Statistics | HOU | RICE

|
|

First downs | 27 | 24
Total yards | 443 | 470
Rushing yards | 183 | 69
Passing yards | 260 | 401
Turnovers | 1 | 2
Time of possession | 28:10 | 31:50
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Houston | Passing | Donovan Smith | 24/42, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Tony Mathis Jr. | 8 rushes, 60 yards
Receiving | Samuel Brown | 9 receptions, 138 yards
Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 28/42, 401 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing | Dean Connors | 8 rushes, 48 yards
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 7 receptions, 99 yards, 2 TD

### Texas Southern

[edit]

See also: 2023 Texas Southern Tigers football team

Texas Southern Tigers at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Tigers | 0 | 7 | 0| 0| 7
Owls | 28 | 14 | 10| 7| 59

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: September 16
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 78 °F (26 °C)
* Game attendance: 18,103
* Referee: Steven Anderson
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross and Taylor McHargue
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 13:04. Owls 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 1:47.
* RICE – Braylen Walker 35-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 11:06. Owls 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 32 yards, 0:51.
* RICE – Kobie Campbell 70-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 9:29. Owls 21–0. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:12.
* RICE – Jack Bradley 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 5:55. Owls 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 2:08.

Second quarter

* RICE – Dean Connors 3-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 9:37. Owls 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 2:58.
* TXSO – Jyrin Johnson 15-yard pass from Jace Wilson (Curtis Falkenburg kick), 4:17. Owls 35–7. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 1:48.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 36-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 1:12. Owls 42–7. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:05.

Third quarter

* RICE – Tim Horn 48-yard field goal, 11:02. Owls 45–7. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:50.
* RICE – Daelen Alexander 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 6:31. Owls 52–7. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:38.

Fourth quarter

* RICE – Christian Francisco 4-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 3:13. Owls 59–7. Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 0:45.

Statistics | TXSO | RICE

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|

First downs | 10 | 23
Total yards | 185 | 485
Rushing yards | 81 | 231
Passing yards | 104 | 254
Turnovers | 2 | 0
Time of possession | 24:26 | 35:34
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Texas Southern | Passing | Jace Wilson | 9/19, 104 yards, TD
Rushing | Ladarius Owens | 11 rushes, 48 yards
Receiving | Jace Johnson | 4 receptions, 49 yards, TD
Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 11/17, 255 yards, 4 TD
Rushing | Dean Connors | 8 rushes, 66 yards, TD
Receiving | Kobie Campbell | 1 reception, 70 yards, TD

### At South Florida

[edit]

See also: 2023 South Florida Bulls football team

Rice Owls at South Florida Bulls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Owls | 7 | 7 | 7| 8| 29
Bulls | 3 | 10 | 14| 15| 42

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

* Date: September 23
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/4:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 29,141
* Referee: Edwin Lee
* TV announcers (ESPNU): Jay Alter and Rene Ingoglia
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* USF – John Cannon 31-yard field goal, 7:22. Bulls 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 4:49.
* RICE – Daelen Alexander 3-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 2:28. Owls 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:54.

Second quarter

* USF – John Cannon 40-yard field goal, 14:07. Owls 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 3:21.
* USF – K'Wan Powell 26-yard run (John Cannon kick), 1:35. Bulls 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 2:35.
* RICE – Dean Connors 2-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 0:15. Owls 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 1:14.

Third quarter

* USF – Byrum Brown 1-yard run (John Cannon kick), 13:54. Bulls 20–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:06.
* RICE – Dean Connors 80-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 7:53. Owls 21–20. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:11.
* USF – Naiem Simmons 49-yard pass from Byrum Brown (John Cannon kick), 2:07. Bulls 27–21. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:25.

Fourth quarter

* USF – Sean Atkins 8-yard pass from Byrum Brown (John Cannon kick), 13:22. Bulls 34–21. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:38.
* USF – Nay'Quan Wright 1-yard run (Sean Atkins pass to Byrum Brown), 8:52. Bulls 42–21. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 2:57.
* RICE – Rawson MacNeil 9-yard pass from AJ Padgett (AJ Padgett pass to Luke McCaffrey), 3:46. Bulls 42–29. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 4:59.

Statistics | RICE | USF

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|

First downs | 19 | 25
Total yards | 492 | 597
Rushing yards | 1 | 162
Passing yards | 491 | 435
Turnovers | 0 | 1
Time of possession | 32:27 | 27:33
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 27/40, 432 yards, 3 TD
Rushing | Juma Otoviano | 4 rushes, 12 yards
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 9 receptions, 199 yards
South Florida | Passing | Byrum Brown | 22/29, 435 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Byrum Brown | 14 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Receiving | Naiem Simmons | 8 receptions, 272 yards, TD

### East Carolina

[edit]

See also: 2023 East Carolina Pirates football team

East Carolina Pirates at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Pirates | 3 | 6 | 0| 8| 17
Owls | 3 | 7 | 7| 7| 24

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: September 30
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: SE at 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)
* Game attendance: 19,598
* Referee: Nate Black
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Taylor McHargue (analyst), Smacker Miles (sideline reporter)
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* ECU – Andrew Conrad 35-yard field goal, 7:17. Pirates 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 6:16.
* RICE – Tim Horn 41-yard field goal, 2:34. Tied 3–3. Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 1:50.

Second quarter

* RICE – Rawson MacNeil 4-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 11:32. Owls 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:28.
* ECU – Andrew Conrad 27-yard field goal, 2:51. Owls 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 4:43.
* ECU – Andrew Conrad 38-yard field goal, 0:13. Owls 10–9. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 1:20.

Third quarter

* RICE – Chase Jenkins 4-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 0:49. Owls 17–9. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 4:10.

Fourth quarter

* ECU – Rahjai Harris 1-yard run (Alex Flinn pass to Chase Sowell), 8:24. Tied 17–17. Drive: 17 plays, 80 yards, 7:19.
* RICE – Landon Ransom-Goelz 44-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 6:24. Owls 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:00.

Statistics | ECU | RICE

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|

First downs | 25 | 14
Total yards | 391 | 277
Rushing yards | 145 | 37
Passing yards | 246 | 240
Turnovers | 1 | 1
Time of possession | 34:58 | 25:02
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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East Carolina | Passing | Alex Flinn | 21/44, 246 yards, INT
Rushing | Javious Bond | 7 rushes, 72 yards
Receiving | Chase Sowell | 7 receptions, 88 yards
Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 18/32, 232 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Chase Jenkins | 4 rushes, 27 yards, TD
Receiving | Landon Ransom-Goelz | 2 receptions, 54 yards, TD

### UConn

[edit]

See also: 2023 UConn Huskies football team

UConn Huskies at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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Huskies | 0 | 20 | 8| 10| 38
Owls | 14 | 0 | 7| 10| 31

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: October 7
* Game time: 4:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 21,207
* Referee: Kevin Randall
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney, LaDarrin McLane, and Smacker Miles
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Juma Otoviano 24-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 6:53. Owls 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:21.
* RICE – Juma Otoviano 7-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 0:33. Owls 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:36.

Second quarter

* CONN – Jelani Stafford 1-yard run (kick blocked), 10:49. Owls 14–6. Drive: 2 plays, 2 yards, 0:44.
* CONN – Jackson Mitchell 50-yard fumble return (Joe McFadden kick), 9:54. Owls 14–13.
* CONN – Cameron Ross 41-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson (Joe McFadden kick), 3:48. Huskies 20–14. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:23.

Third quarter

* CONN – Jelani Stafford 1-yard run (Ta'Quan Roberson pass to Justin Joly), 9:52. Huskies 28–14. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 3:34.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 4-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 2:00. Huskies 28–21. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:45.

Fourth quarter

* CONN – Joe McFadden 47-yard field goal, 14:02. Huskies 31–21. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:58.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 30-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 6:56. Huskies 31–28. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:22.
* CONN – Justin Joly 59-yard pass from Ta'Quan Roberson (Joe McFadden kick), 5:06. Huskies 38–28. Drive: 3 plays, 76 yards, 1:43.
* RICE – Tim Horn 23-yard field goal, 0:40. Huskies 38–31. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 1:30.

Statistics | CONN | RICE

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|

First downs | 12 | 26
Total yards | 319 | 474
Rushing yards | 104 | 112
Passing yards | 215 | 362
Turnovers | 0 | 4
Time of possession | 29:03 | 30:57
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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UConn | Passing | Ta'Quan Roberson | 15/19, 215 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Victor Rosa | 18 rushes, 89 yards
Receiving | Justin Joly | 7 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 33/49, 362 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Juma Otoviano | 6 rushes, 51 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 7 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD

### At Tulsa

[edit]

See also: 2023 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team

Rice Owls at Tulsa Golden Hurricane – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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|
|

Owls | 14 | 7 | 14| 7| 42
Golden Hurricane | 0 | 10 | 0| 0| 10

at H. A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma

* Date: October 19
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 82 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 18,527
* Referee: Darryl DeBerry
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Jay Alter, Rene Ingoglia, and Lericia Harris
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Dean Connors 54-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 12:37. Owls 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, 0:46.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 21-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 2:42. Owls 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 53 yards, 0:55.

Second quarter

* TLSA – Chase Meyer 45-yard field goal, 5:45. Owls 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:52.
* TLSA – Kamdyn Benjamin 30-yard pass from Cardell Williams (Chase Meyer kick), 1:14. Owls 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:20.
* RICE – Landon Ransom-Goelz 17-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 0:33. Owls 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 0:36.

Third quarter

* RICE – JT Daniels 8-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 9:47. Owls 28–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:28.
* RICE – Dean Connors 2-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 0:23. Owls 35–10. Drive: 13 plays, 91 yards, 8:05.

Fourth quarter

* RICE – Dean Connors 10-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 2:58. Owls 42–10. Drive: 14 plays, 96 yards, 9:56.

Statistics | RICE | TLSA

|
|

First downs | 24 | 14
Total yards | 512 | 294
Rushing yards | 170 | 156
Passing yards | 342 | 138
Turnovers | 0 | 3
Time of possession | 33:48 | 26:12
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

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|
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Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 24/37, 342 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Dean Connors | 9 rushes, 120 yards, 3 TD
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 6 receptions, 99 yards, TD
Tulsa | Passing | Cardell Williams | 7/14, 101 yards, TD
Rushing | Braylon Braxton | 12 rushes, 89 yards
Receiving | Kamdyn Benjamin | 3 receptions, 48 yards, TD

### No. 22 Tulane

[edit]

See also: 2023 Tulane Green Wave football team

No. 22 Tulane Green Wave at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

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|
|
|
|

No. 22 Green Wave | 10 | 17 | 0| 3| 30
Owls | 7 | 0 | 14| 7| 28

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: October 28
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: SE 14 mph
* Game attendance: 20,436
* Referee: Edwin Lee
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Drew Carter (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Kayla Burton (sideline)
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* TULN – Valentino Ambrosio 44-yard field goal, 12:57. Green Wave 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:03.
* TULN – Yulkieth Brown 26-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Valentino Ambrosio kick), 9:23. Green Wave 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 1:49.
* RICE – Juma Otoviano 5-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 5:26. Green Wave 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:50.

Second quarter

* TULN – Michael Pratt 1-yard run (Valentino Ambrosio kick), 13:59. Green Wave 17–7. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:27.
* TULN – Alex Bauman 1-yard pass from Michael Pratt (Valentino Ambrosio kick), 3:12. Green Wave 24–7. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 4:12.
* TULN – Valentino Ambrosio 41-yard field goal, 0:00. Green Wave 27–7. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 0:16.

Third quarter

* RICE – Juma Otoviano 3-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 7:44. Green Wave 27–14. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:16.
* RICE – Boden Groen 4-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 4:15. Green Wave 27–21. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards, 0:45.

Fourth quarter

* TULN – Valentino Ambrosio 43-yard field goal, 11:41. Green Wave 30–21. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:49.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 35-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 8:16. Green Wave 30–28. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:25.

Statistics | TULN | RICE

|
|

First downs | 24 | 15
Total yards | 457 | 271
Rushing yards | 194 | 82
Passing yards | 263 | 189
Turnovers | 1 | 1
Time of possession | 36:05 | 23:55
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Tulane | Passing | Michael Pratt | 22/30, 263 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Makhi Hughes | 23 rushes, 153 yards
Receiving | Chris Brazzell II | 5 receptions, 75 yards
Rice | Passing | JT Daniels | 18/29, 189 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing | Juma Otoviano | 9 rushes, 38 yards, 2 TD
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 5 receptions, 79 yards, TD

### SMU

[edit]

See also: 2023 SMU Mustangs football team

SMU Mustangs at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Mustangs | 14 | 10 | 9| 3| 36
Owls | 7 | 14 | 7| 3| 31

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: November 4
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny, 75 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 21,632
* Referee: Scott Hardin
* TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen, Charles Arbuckle, and Dawn Davenport
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – Chike Anigbogu 15-yard punt return (Tim Horn kick), 8:56. Owls 7–0.
* SMU – Roderick Daniels Jr. 34-yard pass from Preston Stone (Collin Rogers kick), 6:22. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:34.
* SMU – Preston Stone 20-yard run (Collin Rogers kick), 5:48. Mustangs 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 33 yards, 0:29.

Second quarter

* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 4-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 11:07. Tied 14–14. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:24.
* SMU – Collin Rogers 41-yard field goal, 6:59. Mustangs 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:08.
* SMU – Jordan Hudson 30-yard pass from Preston Stone (Collin Rogers kick), 2:09. Mustangs 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 2:16.
* RICE – Dean Connors 14-yard pass from JT Daniels (Tim Horn kick), 0:18. Mustangs 24–21. Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:41.

Third quarter

* SMU – Tyler Lavine 3-yard run (pass failed), 9:32. Mustangs 30–21. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:20.
* SMU – Collin Rogers 37-yard field goal, 3:05. Mustangs 33–21. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 3:32.
* RICE – Dean Connors 1-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 0:23. Mustangs 33–28. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:42.

Fourth quarter

* RICE – Tim Horn 32-yard field goal, 7:44. Mustangs 33–31. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 4:14.
* SMU – Collin Rogers 51-yard field goal, 2:49. Mustangs 36–31. Drive: 12 plays, 41 yards, 4:55.

Statistics | SMU | RICE

|
|

First downs | 28 | 13
Total yards | 477 | 290
Rushing yards | 223 | 124
Passing yards | 254 | 166
Turnovers | 1 | 3
Time of possession | 31:31 | 28:29
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

SMU | Passing | Preston Stone | 15/28, 217 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Preston Stone | 8 rushes, 81 yards, TD
Receiving | Jake Bailey | 4 receptions, 73 yards
Rice | Passing | Chase Jenkins | 10/16, 85 yards, INT
Rushing | Dean Connors | 7 rushes, 77 yards, TD
Receiving | Rawson MacNeill | 2 receptions, 68 yards

### At UTSA

[edit]

See also: 2023 UTSA Roadrunners football team

Rice Owls at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Owls | 0 | 7 | 0| 7| 14
Roadrunners | 3 | 7 | 21| 3| 34

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

* Date: November 11
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
* Game weather: None (played indoors)
* Game attendance: 28,245
* Referee: Tim Rich
* TV announcers (ESPNU): Drew Carter and Dustin Fox
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* UTSA – Chase Allen 26-yard field goal, 7:00. Roadrunners 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 3:38.

Second quarter

* UTSA – Joshua Cephus 6-yard pass from Frank Harris (Chase Allen kick), 0:57. Roadrunners 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:43.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 27-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 0:22. Roadrunners 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:35.

Third quarter

* UTSA – Robert Henry 1-yard run (Chase Allen kick), 9:46. Roadrunners 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:47.
* UTSA – Chris Carpenter 50-yard punt return (Chase Allen kick), 8:01. Roadrunners 24–7.
* UTSA – Rocko Griffin 1-yard run (Chase Allen kick), 3:24. Roadrunners 31–7. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:08.

Fourth quarter

* UTSA – Tate Sandell 47-yard field goal, 5:09. Roadrunners 34–7. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:25.
* RICE – Landon Ransom-Goelz 22-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 1:11. Roadrunners 34–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:58.

Statistics | RICE | UTSA

|
|

First downs | 17 | 23
Total yards | 229 | 381
Rushing yards | 47 | 199
Passing yards | 182 | 182
Turnovers | 1 | 1
Time of possession | 29:49 | 30:11
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Rice | Passing | A. J. Padgett | 17/28, 182 yards, 2 TD
Rushing | Dean Connors | 8 rushes, 34 yards
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 6 receptions, 68 yards, TD
UTSA | Passing | Frank Harris | 15/24, 175 yards, TD
Rushing | Rocko Griffin | 12 rushes, 81 yards, TD
Receiving | Joshua Cephus | 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD

### At Charlotte

[edit]

See also: 2023 Charlotte 49ers football team

Rice Owls at Charlotte 49ers – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Owls | 10 | 3 | 8| 7| 28
49ers | 0 | 0 | 0| 7| 7

at Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

* Date: November 18
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. EST
* Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
* Game attendance: 9,385
* Referee: Edwin Lee
* TV announcers (ESPN+): Noah Reed and Reggie Walker
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* RICE – A. J. Padgett 5-yard run (Tim Horn kick), 10:07. Owls 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:24.
* RICE – Tim Horn 23-yard field goal, 0:25. Owls 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:42.

Second quarter

* RICE – Tim Horn 37-yard field goal, 4:15. Owls 13–0. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:52.

Third quarter

* RICE – A. J. Padgett 2-yard run (A. J. Padgett pass to Rawson MacNeill), 11:39. Owls 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:21.

Fourth quarter

* CLT – Trexler Ivey 12-yard run (Jake Larson kick), 10:30. Owls 21–7. Drive: 3 plays, 3 yards, 1:35.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 20-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 3:13. Owls 28–7. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:17.

Statistics | RICE | CLT

|
|

First downs | 16 | 11
Total yards | 380 | 158
Rushing yards | 240 | 84
Passing yards | 140 | 74
Turnovers | 3 | 1
Time of possession | 33:41 | 26:19
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Rice | Passing | A. J. Padgett | 13/21, 140 yards, TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Dean Connors | 19 rushes, 184 yards
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD
Charlotte | Passing | Trexler Ivey | 8/19, 51 yards
Rushing | Hashaun Watson | 14 rushes, 47 yards
Receiving | Randy Fields Jr. | 2 receptions, 18 yards

### Florida Atlantic

[edit]

See also: 2023 Florida Atlantic Owls football team

Florida Atlantic Owls at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Florida Atlantic | 7 | 0 | 7| 7| 21
Rice | 7 | 3 | 14| 0| 24

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

* Date: November 25
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
* Game attendance: 19,393
* Referee: Kevin Randall
* TV: ESPN+
* Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter

* FAU – Kobe Lewis 75-yard run (Carter Davis kick), 14:48. Florida Atlantic 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12.
* RICE – Boden Groen 20-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 3:04. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:24.

Second quarter

* RICE – Tim Horn 20-yard field goal, 0:02. Rice 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 3:36.

Third quarter

* FAU – Tony Johnson 36-yard pass from Daniel Richardson (Carter Davis kick), 12:36. Florida Atlantic 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 1:28.
* RICE – Luke McCaffrey 7-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 7:27. Rice 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 5:09.
* RICE – Boden Groen 11-yard pass from A. J. Padgett (Tim Horn kick), 0:00. Rice 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.

Fourth quarter

* FAU – Michael Johnson Jr. 6-yard run (Carter Davis kick), 12:25. Rice 24–21. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:35.

Statistics | FAU | RICE

|
|

First downs | 14 | 32
Total yards | 279 | 465
Rushing yards | 151 | 211
Passing yards | 128 | 254
Turnovers | 0 | 1
Time of possession | 20:18 | 39:42
Team | Category | Player | Statistics

|
|
|

Florida Atlantic | Passing | Daniel Richardson | 8/9, 93 yards, TD
Rushing | Kobe Lewis | 7 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Receiving | Tony Johnson | 2 receptions, 49 yards, TD
Rice | Passing | A. J. Padgett | 24/37, 255 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing | Dean Connors | 14 rushes, 75 yards
Receiving | Luke McCaffrey | 12 receptions, 141 yards, TD

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Tulane is the Favorite in 2023 American Preseason Media Poll". American Athletic Conference. July 25, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
2. ^ "2023 Rice Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 2, 2023.

* v
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Rice Owls football

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*[Conf.]: Conference record
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