Scott Solomon News

Rice running back Charles Ross, tight end Vance McDonald and defensive back Kevin Gaddis were named to the Conference USA all-freshman team that was selected by the league's coaches.

In the last five games, junior defensive end Cheta Ozougwu recorded 33 of his tackles and 8.5 of his tackles for losses.

David Bailiff and Kevin Sumlin reside in the same neighborhood and talk at least once a week.

Rice coach David Bailiff says he's bringing a confident bunch to Robertson Stadium for Saturday's Bayou Bucket game against Houston Share Share The Houston Cougars average nearly 575 yards and a little more than 42 points per game, all of which supports the notion that the nation's most prolific offense resides at the other end of Main Street.

The "College Gameday" crew won't be parked outside of Rice Stadium today. The Owls are 1-9, UTEP is 3-7 and on the national landscape, this game doesn't rate.

In two games this month, UTEP junior running back Donald Buckram has not only carried 67 times for 475 yards and four touchdowns but also caught eight passes for 175 yards and another two scores.

Part of the job is not rooting for teams. You have to remain objective. With that said, I couldn't help but feel happy for the Owls, who don't have to answer questions about or contemplate a winless season any longer.

Rice defensive tackle Michael Smith and his teammates get riled up before taking the field before Saturday's game against Tulane.

Shouldn't be leaving Dallas without a victory... WHAT I LIKED: - The use of the Wildcat/Thor or whatever it's called.

DALLAS Instead of taking a nine-point lead into halftime at Gerald Ford Stadium, Rice had its field goal blocked Saturday by SMU's Sterling Moore.

Zach McCann and I compiled the following UCF football notes: After a disappointing showing against Miami on Saturday, a game against Rice is seemingly the perfect solution to get UCF's offense back on track.

A sheet of defensive statistics was pushed across the table Monday, the most alarming categories highlighted in lime green.

Contrary to what some might believe, Saturday's 49-point thrashing wasn't Rice coach David Bailiff's first exposure to Navy's triple option.

Series Record: Rice leads 6-5. Last meeting: 2005, Navy 41-9. Navy looks to increase its winning streak to three in the first of back-to-back games in Texas.

After poring over film of Rice, Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo was asked Tuesday if anyone or anything in particular caught his eye.

They'll wonder what might have been, and really, that's how it's been all season.

Believe it or not, the Rice defense is somewhat relieved to be facing Texas Tech this week.

Check out the fancy table after the jump. MATCHUP QB/WR: It seems unlikely after so much hoopla about the depth of the receiving corp and the stronger arm of Taylor Potts , but as with most things, the transition from first-time-starter to well-oiled machine takes time.

The Rice Owls travel to Lubbock and they've already started conference play by losing to UAB 44-24 on the road.

The Rice Owls started the 2009 football season Saturday in disappointing fashion, losing 44-24 to UAB at Legion Field in Birmingham.