--- Heading into our final three games of the season, it was time to take on the Rice Owls in the Battle for the Williams Trophy. Rice was a middling team, sitting 4-4 on the year and 2-2 in C-USA action, but despite looking like a run of the mill team, Rice had a secret, coming in sporting the #9 passing defense in the nation. We were going to find out today just how good our passing game really was going up against a top 10 passing defense. It was gonna be a wet one, as the rain poured down from the night sky. We won the coin toss and elected to kick.
No return on the opening kickoff and Rice was set to begin their opening drive from their 25. A four yard rush by Andrew Montgomery set the Owls up for the pass, as Lamar Evans hit Jon Dean for a 17 yard gain and a first down at the 46. After a 13 yard pass to Issac Hart to get to our 41, it was a huge gain for the Owls, as a 15 yard penalty on the tackle following a 6 yard rush gave the Rice a first down at our 20 yard line. A two yard rush by Montgomery was followed with a 9 yard pass to Donald Thompson and Rice had a first and goal from our 10 yard line. The Owls would find the end zone on the next play, Evans connecting with Dean for the 10 yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 Rice lead with 7:28 left in the first quarter.
We started our first drive from our 25 yard line after a 21 yard kickoff return. It was Kiel Fletcher getting us moving early, taking the handoff and running towards the left sideline, turning up field for a gain of 13 yards and a first down at the 38. Fletcher would manage three yards on first down to leave us with second and 7. Testing out the high rated passing defense of Rice, we went into the air on second down. Brandon Booth’s pass intended for Jefferson would sail incomplete as Jefferson slipped and fell down on the wet turf while trying to make a cut on his route, leaving us third and 7 at our 41. The linebacker would break up the pass intended for Max Thompson and we were forced to punt away. A 9 yard return on the 45 yard punt and Rice was back in action from their 22. After throwing the ball away on first down, Evans found Thompson for a gain of 21 yards and the Owls had a first down at the 43. After rushing for one yard on first down, Evans wasn’t able to avoid the defense on the next play, getting sacked for a 5 yard loss to leave Rice facing third and 14 from their 39. An incomplete pass would force Rice to punt for the first time today. A fair catch on the 48 yard boot left us starting our next drive from our 12 yard line.
Fletcher took the ball on first down for a 7 yard gain, before fighting ahead for a gain of four yards and a first down at our 23. A 5 yard rush by Fletcher was followed by an 8 yard pickup by Ryan Strong and we had a first down at the 37 yard line, our offense finally finding momentum. Keeping the ball himself, Booth managed three yards on the first down rush to the 39 yard line. Booth’s pass on the next play to Jefferson went for a gain 6 yards, leaving us with third and two. Booth’s pass on third down was batted incomplete and we were forced to punt away with 1:37 left in the quarter. A 6 yard return on the 46 yard punt left Rice starting at their 15. After a four yard rush by Montgomery, the defense got into the backfield again, sacking Evans for a four yard loss to leave the Owls facing third and 10. An incomplete pass intended for Thompson and Rice would be forced to punt once again, unable to find the rhythm of that opening drive. A fair catch on the 47 yard punt gave our offense the ball at the 37, 50 seconds to go in the first quarter. Booth’s first down pass to Eric Hayden was completed for a 10 yard gain to leave us second and inches. Fletcher would get the first down on the next play, breaking it up the middle for a 6 yard gain to the Rice 48 yard line as the final seconds ticked off the clock. The first quarter was in the bag, Rice leading 7-0.
Opening up the second quarter on the ground, Fletcher was able to turn it up field around the left tackle and pick up 17 yards to give us a first down at the 31 yard line, finally getting deep into Rice territory for the first time this game. Going back into the air, Booth found Thompson wide open on the blitz for a huge pickup of 30 yards, Thompson getting pushed out of bounds at the one yard line to leave us with first and goal. Fletcher would run it in standing up to tie the game up at 7-7 with 7:58 left in the second quarter.
A touchback on the kickoff, and Rice was starting from their 25 yard line, no longer playing with the lead. It would be a failed drive for the Owls as two incomplete passes and a four yard loss by Montgomery left them quickly punting away on fourth and 14. A 14 yard return by Fletcher on the 49 yard punt got our offense starting from our 44 yard line on the next drive. Fletcher could only manage one yard on the first down rush, Rice quickly smothering him. Going back into the air, Booth hit Eric Silva for a gain of 6 yards to leave third and three. Putting our trust in the ground game, Fletcher was able to just make it across the first down line, tackled for a 6 yard gain and a first down at the Rice 43 yard line. The off tackle rush on first down went nowhere, Fletcher only able to get one yard. Taking our shot through the air, Hayden was leveled by both safeties, but not before hauling in the pass from Booth for a gain of 9 yards and a first down at the 33 yard line. Working to confuse the defense with multiple crossing routes, Booth was able to find Jefferson over the middle on a failed transfer of cover for a four yard gain to leave us with second and 6. Continuing through the air, Booth stood up in the pocket in the face of the blitz and delivered a pass to Thompson for a 12 yard gain, giving us a first down at the 17 yard line. Booth kept the ball on first down, but a blitz by the safety left him with nowhere to go and was brought down for no gain. We get back to the end zone of the next play, as Booth hit Jefferson over the top at the two yard line, Jefferson getting tackled forward into the end zone for the 16 yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 2:36 left in the first half.
A 24 yard kickoff return got Rice starting at their 22 yard line and a limited amount of time on the clock. The Owls would find their footing this drive, as Evans hit Dean for a 12 yard gain, followed by a 25 yard strike to Thompson to get a very quick pair of first downs and get to our 41 yard line, still 2:03 on the clock. After two straight incomplete passes, Evans found Dean deep down the right sideline for a 28 yard gain and a first down at our 13 yard line, 1:37 left after the first timeout by Rice. The defense would fight back, sacking Evans for a four yard loss to leave Rice with second and 14 from our 17 yard line, the Owls using their second timeout to stop the clock with 1:32 to go. A 2 yard scramble by Evans was followed with another sack by our defense, this time for a 10 yard loss, and Rice was left with fourth and 22 from our 25 yard line, the clock still ticking with 1:19 left. Grant Mosley would kick the 42 yard field goal down the middle of the uprights and Rice cut our lead to 14-10 with 1:01 left.
We wouldn’t have to wait long to respond, as Jefferson took the kickoff, getting a couple blocks and breaking into the open, taking the kickoff back 98 yards for the touchdown and a 21-10 lead with 35 seconds to go in the half. An 18 yard kickoff return left Rice at their 17 yard line and only 24 seconds remaining. The Owls would call it a half, Montgomery getting tackled for a two yard loss and they would let the remaining 19 seconds tick off without another play. We headed into halftime, the huge kickoff return opening our lead up to 21-10 and our offense receiving the ball to start the second half.
A touchback on the kickoff to open the second half got our offense back out on the field starting at our 25 yard line. Fletcher took the handoff to get the drive started, managing a three yard gain before being brought down. Despite getting hit at the line of scrimmage, Fletcher would twist, turn and stumble ahead, falling forward for a gain of 9 yards and a first down at our 37 yard line. Taking it straight up the gut, Fletcher was able to power his way through three tackle attempts for a 20 yard rush and we had a first down at the Rice 43. Keeping it on the ground, Fletcher was only able to pick up two yards on the first down rush. Heading into the air, Booth’s pass to Jefferson was batted down and we were left with third and 8. Booth would commit our first error of the day, his pass intended for Thompson intercepted by right linebacker Bobby Christian, who returned it 26 yards to our 40 yard line, a diving tackle by right tackle Cameron Powers saving what looked to be a potential pick six.
Evans got the Owls started with a four yard rush, before an incomplete pass left Rice with third and 6. Evans would convert the third down, finding Montgomery along the right hash for an 11 yard gain and a first down at our 25 yard line. A three yard rush by Montgomery and an incomplete pass again left Rice looking at third and long, but Evans would connect with George Bailey for a 9 yard pickup and Rice had a new set of downs at our 12 yard line and looking destined for a score. After a pair of rushes by Montgomery for gains of two and four yards, the Owls would finally get back to the end zone, Evans hitting Thompson for the 6 yard touchdown pass to cut our lead to 21-17 with 4:48 left in the third quarter.
A 22 yard kickoff return and our offense was back on the field at our 27 yard line, hoping for a better drive this time around. Fletcher was barely able to pick up two yards on the first down rush, the defense clearly ready for our running game. Trying to get Booth back in the saddle, it was into the air on second down, Booth’s pass to Hayden sailing high over his head and incomplete, leaving us with third and 8 from our 29. Booth would finally get a completion on third down, finding an open Fletcher after a miscue by the defense, Fletcher fighting his way forward for a 29 yard gain and a first down at the Rice 42. A comeback route by Jefferson left the cornerback running in the wrong direction, and thanks to a block by Hayden, Jefferson was able to tightrope the sideline with multiple defenders diving in front of and behind him, picking up a 33 yard gain before finally stepping out of bounds at the 9 yard line to leave us first and goal. Fletcher would get the job done on the next play, rushing it off the left tackle, finding nothing but green grass in front of him thanks to a right side blitz by the defense, taking it the 9 yards for the touchdown and a 28-17 lead with 2:55 left in the third quarter.
A touchback on the kickoff left Rice to find an answer from their 25 yard line. It would be a poor start to the drive, as the left tackle got flagged for holding, pushing Rice back 10 yards to their 15 yard line. An 11 yard pass from Evans to Hart left the Owls with second and 9, Evans’ pass on the next play to Dean going for a gain of 9 yards and a first down at the 35. It was back to the air on the next play, Evans throwing a deep bomb to Thompson for a 31 yard gain, and Rice had a first down at our 34 yard line. A 27 yard pass to Dean and Rice was looking at first and goal from our 7 yard line thanks to four straight passing plays. Montgomery would switching things up on first down with a rush, but he was only able to manage one yard before the defense brought him down. A 5 yard rush by Montgomery would get the Owls down to our one yard line, facing third and goal. Montgomery would take the ball for the third straight play, and he would finish off the drive, punching it in for the touchdown from one yard out to make it 28-24 with 1:04 left in the third quarter. A touchback on the ensuing kickoff gave our offense the ball at our 25.
Fletcher would fight forward for a gain of 7 yards on the first down rush, before being tackled for a loss of one yard to leave us with third and four as the third quarter came to an end, our lead sitting at 28-24 with the final quarter to go.
Coming out pass to start the fourth quarter, Booth’s pass came slipping out of his hands in the rain, his pass to Silva going high and incomplete, and we were forced to punt away on fourth and four. A 9 yard return on the 47 yard punt gave Rice the ball to start from their 31. It would be a short and horrible drive the Owls, Montgomery fumbling the ball after being hit in the backfield,, Andy Malone jumping on the fumble to give our offense back the ball at the Rice 24 yard line and leave us immediately in scoring position. Three straight rushes by Fletcher for gains of 5, three and 7 yards gave us first and goal at the 9 yard line, the clock ticking under 7 minutes to play. A pair of rushes for gains of four and two yards left us with third and goal from the three yard line, before Fletcher took the handoff, bounced outside the right tackle, and despite being stood up at the goal line by the safety, kept the legs pumping to fall forward into the end zone for the three yard touchdown rush and a 35-24 lead with 5:22 left in the game.
A touchback left Rice starting at their 25, needing to find some magic on this drive and get back within one possession. The Owls would do that, as Montgomery picked up 9 yards on first down before Evans found Dean over the middle for a 30 yard gain and a first down at our 37 yard line. A 17 yard pass to Montgomery got the Owls down to our 19 yard line. After an incomplete pass on first down, Montgomery picked up 6 yards on the ground to leave Rice with third and four from our 14 yard line. Evans would trying to find Dean along the right hash, but the play was broken up, leaving the Owls facing fourth down. Going for it on fourth down, Evans would throw into the end zone, but the pass was swatted down, and the turnover on downs gave our offense the ball at our 14 yard line, 3:57 left in the game.
Fletcher took it up the middle for a 6 yard gain, but some dirty laundry was thrown on the flag. Defensive tackle Tony Thornburg was flagged for a facemask and the extra 15 yards gave us a first down at our 35 yard line. Taking the ball again, Fletcher could only manage two yards on the ground, leaving us second and 8. Keeping the ball himself, Booth wasn’t able to find a hole anywhere, getting tackled for a loss of one yard, but the defense would again lend us a helping hand, as right outside linebacker Jahmal Brown was flagged for a facemask penalty and we found ourselves with a first down at the Rice 49 yard line, the clock down to 2:30 left to play. The defense was more than ready for Fletcher on first down, tackling him for no gain. Rice called their first timeout, stopping the clock with 2:16 to go. Fletcher would manage to push it up the middle, fighting forward for a gain of 11 yards and a first down at the 39 yard line, the second timeout by Rice stopping play with 2:12 on the clock. A three yard gain by Fletcher forced the Owls to use their third and final timeout, stopping the clock with 2:08 remaining. Despite blitzing on the next play, Fletcher was able to pound it up the middle for a 12 yard gain to give us a first down at the 23 yard line, the clock dipping under two minutes to play and Rice with no way to stop the clock. Strong would take the ball on first down, rushing ahead for a gain of 8 yards to leave us second and two with 1:24 to go. Another 8 yard rush by Strong gave us first and goal at the Rice 8 yard line with 53 seconds to play, Booth needing only kneel the ball once to run out of the rest of the clock for the 35-24 win.
With the win, we improve our record to 9-1, 6-0 in C-USA action. With the loss, Rice drops to 4-5 on the season, 2-3 in C-USA play. Up next, we get a bye week before hitting the road for the final time this season to take on UTSA.
Final Score
#10 
35,
24
Stat(s) of the Game:
- Tulsa Offense – A mostly quiet day for Booth, as that #9 passing defense of Rice's held him to only 10 completions and 155 yards passing, along with one touchdown. Fletcher was our offensive star today, rushing for 173 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries and 29 yard receiving on one catch. Only 5 receivers caught a ball today, Jefferson leading the way with 59 yards and a touchdown on 4 receptions, to go along with his 98 yard kickoff return.
- Tulsa Defense – Held the Rice offense pretty quiet in the first half, but then let the Owls have their way on offense in the second half.
- Tulsa Kicking – No attempted field goals today by Pratt. He did go 5-5 in PATs.
Scoring Summary
| Team |
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter |
Final Score |
|
7 |
3 |
14 |
0 |
24 |
|
0 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
35 |
| Time |
Team |
Result |
Play |
Score |
| First Quarter |
| 7:28 |
|
Touchdown |
J. Dean, 10 yard pass from L. Evans (G. Mosley kick) |
7-0 |
|
| Second Quarter |
| 7:58 |
|
Touchdown |
K. Fletcher, 1 yard run (A. Pratt kick) |
TIED 7-7 |
| 2:36 |
|
Touchdown |
C. Jefferson, 16 yard pass from B. Booth (A. Pratt kick) |
14-7 |
| 1:05 |
|
Field Goal |
G. Mosley, 42 yard field goal |
14-10 |
| 0:35 |
|
Touchdown |
C. Jefferson, returned kickoff 98 yards (A. Pratt kick) |
21-10 |
|
| Third Quarter |
| 4:48 |
|
Touchdown |
D. Thompson, 6 yard pass from L. Evans (G. Mosley kick) |
21-17 |
| 2:55 |
|
Touchdown |
K. Fletcher, 9 yard run (A. Pratt kick) |
28-17 |
| 1:04 |
|
Touchdown |
A. Montgomery, 1 yard run (G. Mosley kick) |
28-24 |
|
| Fourth Quarter |
| 5:22 |
|
Touchdown |
K. Fletcher, 3 yard run (A. Pratt kick) |
35-24 |
| Rice |
Stat |
Tulsa |
| 24 |
Score |
35 |
| 15 |
First Downs |
20 |
| 344 |
Total Offense |
352 |
| 17 - 48 - 1 |
Rushes - Yards - TD |
38 - 197 - 3 |
| 18 - 30 - 2 |
Comp - Att - TD |
10 - 17 - 1 |
| 296 |
Passing Yards |
155 |
| 4 |
Times Sacked |
0 |
| 5 - 10 (50%) |
3rd Down Conversion |
4 - 8 (50%) |
| 0 - 1 (0%) |
4th Down Conversion |
0 - 0 (0%) |
| 0 - 0 (0%) |
2-Point Conv |
0 - 0 (0%) |
| 6 - 3 - 1 (66%) |
Red Zone - TD - FG |
7 - 4 - 0 (57%) |
| 1 |
Turnovers |
1 |
| 1 |
Fumbles Lost |
0 |
| 0 |
Intercepted |
1 |
| 24 |
Punt Return Yards |
14 |
| 42 |
Kick Return Yards |
141 |
| 410 |
Total Yards |
507 |
| 3 – 48.7 |
Punts - Average |
3 - 46.0 |
| 5 - 65 |
Penalties |
2 - 30 |
| 15:43 |
Time of Possession |
20:17 |
| Fail Impact |
Goal |
Progress |
Pass Impact |
|
Win 8 games in one season |
 |
 |
 |
13+ passing TD in one season |
|
|
|
14+ points per game in each season |
41 |
|
|
7+ rushing TD in one season |
|
|
 |
2400+ total offensive yards in one season |
|
|
 |
2400+ total offensive yards in each season |
|
 |
|
Win 4 games in one season |
|
|
|
2000+ total offensive yards in one season |
|
 |
100%
Originally Posted by morsdraconis
See? MNC is within reach.Another bout of losses by teams ahead of you and you're easily within the top 10, looking like a shoe-in for a BCS bowl and an outside chance at the MNC appearance.
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#10 
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