2023 Rice Owls football team

2023 Rice Owls football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record6–7 (4–4 AAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMarques Tuiasosopo (3rd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorBrian Smith (6th season)
Base defenseMultiple 3–4
Home stadiumRice Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 American Athletic Conference football standings
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.

Preseason

Media poll

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

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

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 22:30 p.m.at No. 11 Texas*
FoxL 10–3798,017
September 96:00 p.m.Houston*
NFLNW 43–41 2OT23,425
September 166:00 p.m.Texas Southern*
  • Rice Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 59–718,103
September 233:00 p.m.at South Florida
ESPNUL 29–4229,141
September 306:00 p.m.East Carolina
  • Rice Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 24–1719,598
October 74:00 p.m.UConn*
  • Rice Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+L 31–3821,207
October 196:00 p.m.at Tulsa
ESPN2W 42–1018,527
October 283:00 p.m.No. 22 Tulane
  • Rice Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN2L 28–3020,436
November 46:30 p.m.SMUdagger
ESPNUL 31–3621,632
November 116:30 p.m.at UTSA
ESPNUL 14–3428,245
November 181:00 p.m.at Charlotte
ESPN+W 28–79,385
November 2512:00 p.m.Florida Atlantic
  • Rice Stadium
  • Houston, TX
ESPN+W 24–2119,393
December 264:30 p.m.vs. Texas State*
ESPNL 21–4526,542

Game summaries

At No. 11 Texas

See also: 2023 Texas Longhorns football team
Rice Owls at No. 11 Texas Longhorns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 3 0 0710
No. 11 Longhorns 7 9 21037

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

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
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

See also: 2023 Houston Cougars football team
Houston Cougars at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OT2OTTotal
Cougars 0 7 0217641
Owls 21 7 007843

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
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

See also: 2023 Texas Southern Tigers football team
Texas Southern Tigers at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 0 7 007
Owls 28 14 10759

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
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
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

See also: 2023 South Florida Bulls football team
Rice Owls at South Florida Bulls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 7 7 7829
Bulls 3 10 141542

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
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
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

See also: 2023 East Carolina Pirates football team
East Carolina Pirates at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Pirates 3 6 0817
Owls 3 7 7724

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
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
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

See also: 2023 UConn Huskies football team
UConn Huskies at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Huskies 0 20 81038
Owls 14 0 71031

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
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
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

See also: 2023 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team
Rice Owls at Tulsa Golden Hurricane – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 14 7 14742
Golden Hurricane 0 10 0010

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
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

See also: 2023 Tulane Green Wave football team
No. 22 Tulane Green Wave at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Green Wave 10 17 0330
Owls 7 0 14728

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

See also: 2023 SMU Mustangs football team
SMU Mustangs at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 14 10 9336
Owls 7 14 7331

at Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas

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

See also: 2023 UTSA Roadrunners football team
Rice Owls at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 0 7 0714
Roadrunners 3 7 21334

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

See also: 2023 Charlotte 49ers football team
Rice Owls at Charlotte 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Owls 10 3 8728
49ers 0 0 077

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

See also: 2023 Florida Atlantic Owls football team
Florida Atlantic Owls at Rice Owls – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Florida Atlantic 7 0 7721
Rice 7 3 14024

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

  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.