Sep. 12, 2024 06:21 AM EST

Houston Looks To Avoid First 0-3 Start Since 2012 When Cougars Face Rival Rice

The Associated Press
Houston head coach Willie Fritz, right, reacts after Houston defensive back Jeremiah Wilson (20) intercepted a pass by Oklahoma during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) Alonzo Adams, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston head coach Willie Fritz, right, reacts after Houston defensive back Jeremiah Wilson (20) intercepted a pass by Oklahoma during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Houston quarterback Donovan Smith (1) hands off the ball to running back Stacy Sneed (21)during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
View All (2)

Rice (1-1) at Houston (0-2), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Houston by 4.

Series record: Houston leads 33-12.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Houston looks to avoid going 0-3 for the first time since 2012 and to snap a five-game losing streak dating to Nov. 11. The Cougars have won seven straight games at home against Rice. The Owls won last season 43-41 in double overtime at Rice Stadium. Rice will try for its first two-game winning streak in the series since 2000-01. The Owls aim to start 2-1 for a third straight season.

KEY MATCHUP

Rice pass rush vs. Houston offensive line. Rice has a nation-best 11 sacks through its first two games, with five players who have at least 1 ½ sacks led by defensive end Demone Green, who has two. Houston’s offensive line allowed eight sacks in its first two games, including six in the Cougars’ season-opening home loss to UNLV. Houston QB Donovan Smith was much better last week at Oklahoma as he had more time to throw than he did in the opener.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Rice: QB E.J. Warren has thrown for 416 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games with the Owls. Warren, a transfer from Temple, has completed 63.5% (47 of 74) of his passes, but he has also thrown three interceptions.

Houston: WR Joseph Manjack IV caught three passes for 72 yards last week against Oklahoma, including a 44-yard touchdown. Manjack, who entered the season as the Cougars’ leading returning receiver, tops the team with two touchdown receptions — the only touchdowns Houston has scored in its first two games.

FACTS & FIGURES

Saturday will mark exactly 50 years since the first Bayou Bucket game between Houston and Rice. The two schools are located roughly five miles from each other, the shortest distance between FBS schools. … Houston DL Keith Cooper Jr. has four tackles for losses, which ranks 11th nationally. … Rice RB Dean Connors is tied for fifth nationally with four touchdowns rushing. … Houston ranks 113th nationally with 144 penalty yards in two games. … Rice has averaged 41.5 points per game in its first two games, while Houston has averaged 9.5 points per game.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Topics

People in the Story