Tag: Rice

Texas State romps past Rice at Armed Forces Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brad Jackson threw for 173 yards and accounted for four touchdowns as Texas State walloped Rice 41-10 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jackson completed 17 of 24 passes with three scores for the Bobcats (7-6), who finished the season with a four-game winning streak. He added 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and Lincoln Pare rushed 11 times for 106 yards and a score as Texas State outgained the Owls 436-196.

Rice (5-8), which got the bowl bid after several other schools turned down invitations to play in a bowl game, used three different quarterbacks in an attempt to spark the offense. Patrick Crayton Jr. was 4 of 9 for 70 yards with a score and an interception, while Lucas Scheerhorn hit 6 of 9 attempts for 19 yards and Quinton Jackson was 3 of 3 for 8 yards.

Crayton’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Turner with nine seconds left in the first half helped the Owls crawl within 10-7 at halftime. But the Bobcats dominated the second half, beginning with Jackson’s 69-yard scoring strike to Beau Sparks 53 seconds into the third quarter.

Jackson made it 24-7 with 8:36 left in the third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Dawn Jr. It came two plays after Kalil Alexander strip-sacked Crayton and Tymere Jackson recovered the fumble at the Rice 11.

Crayton fumbled on the first play after the ensuing kickoff and Tyler Robles cashed in the mistake with a 29-yard field goal at the 6:53 mark for a 27-7 advantage.

Texas State turned the game into a rout with Pare’s 63-yard scoring jaunt 19 seconds into the fourth quarter. Jackson added a 14-yard touchdown pass to Dawn with 9:10 remaining.

Rice capped the scoring on Enock Gota’s 28-yard field goal at the 5:32 mark.

The Bobcats opened the scoring with 10:31 left in the first half on Jackson’s 6-yard run that capped a 38-yard drive. It came eight plays after Jaden Rios intercepted Crayton and lugged it 44 yards.

Robles made it 10-0 with a 30-yard field goal at the 6:17 mark.

–Field Level Media

Under-.500 Rice glad to have Armed Forces Bowl bid vs. Texas State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Most coaches profess excitement to play in a bowl game, whether they mean it or not.

It’s probably a safe guess that first-year Rice coach Scott Abell wasn’t faking his thoughts about getting an invitation to take his team to the Armed Forces Bowl against Texas State on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I am thrilled to have another opportunity to coach this group of young men this year,” Abell said. “Having two more weeks of practice is invaluable as we continue to grow this program. The fact that our seniors have a chance to end their career with a bowl championship is truly special.”

And truly surprising.

The Owls finished 5-7, a record that ordinarily doesn’t allow a team to play in a bowl game. However, a number of bowl-eligible programs opted not to play for one reason or another, even though in a couple of cases, it meant absorbing $500,000 fines from the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State and Kansas State were the schools preferring to pay instead of play.

So Rice, a team coming off 56-24 and 52-3 losses to North Texas and South Florida, respectively, in its last two games, has a chance to end the year on an unexpected high. The Owls started 3-1 but dropped six of their last eight.

Arguably their best win was a 37-34 double-overtime home decision over a UConn team that won nine games this year.

The Owls will have to play without starting quarterback Chase Jenkins, who hit the transfer portal after throwing for 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns with two interceptions while rushing for 531 yards and five scores. Drew Devillier, who completed 10 of 21 passes in limited duty, would figure to take the snaps on Friday, though Abell didn’t make it official.

“My focus turns to giving all my attention to the quarterbacks that are here,” Abell said.

Texas State (6-6) is also dealing with some changes due to the portal. Starting center Brock Riker has put San Marcos in the rearview mirror after starting all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, while another offensive lineman, Teliek Lockette, is also departing via the portal.

The good news for the Bobcats is that coach GJ Kinne has retained most of the star players off this team. Freshman quarterback Brad Jackson (3,050 yards, 18 TDs, seven interceptions), top receiver Beau Sparks (80 catches, 1,113 yards, 9 TDs) and No. 2 pass-catcher Chris Dawn Jr. (54 catches, 931 yards, 2 TDs) have all announced they will return in 2026.

Texas State earned its bowl chance by walloping South Alabama 49-26 in the regular-season finale on Nov. 29 for its third straight win. The Bobcats endured a five-game skid before putting things together at the end.

“We fought extremely hard, and a lot of hard work went into getting this opportunity,” Kinne said. “There’s a ton of excitement for our guys and we’re excited to showcase what we’re all about. I know what quality of bowl game this is. I know Rice will present issues for us in all three phases.”

This will be the second time these teams have met in a bowl in three years. Texas State prevailed 45-21 in 2023 at the First Responder Bowl in Dallas.

–Field Level Media

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice enters procotol after self-reporting symptoms

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Rashee Rice reported concussion symptoms to the Kansas City Chiefs and entered league-mandated protocol, putting his availability for Sunday’s game at Tennessee in doubt.

Rice leads wide receivers on the Kansas City roster with 53 receptions despite serving a six-game NFL suspension to begin the regular season. The Chiefs already are taking the field in Week 16 without quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had reconstructive left knee surgery this week and is out for the season.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Rice reported his symptoms to the team on Monday as part of a standard follow-up with trainers following the Sunday loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that spun the team’s record to 6-8 this season. It was last season against the Chargers (Sept. 29, 2024) when Rice went down with a season-ending ACL tear.

Reid said Tyquan Thornton (concussion) also was not available for practice on Wednesday. Hollywood Brown was inactive last week and has only 10 receptions since Rice returned to the active roster on Oct. 19.

Tight end Travis Kelce leads the Chiefs with 67 receptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 31, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Rice Owls quarterback Chase Jenkins (4) is sacked by Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Pooda Walker (99) in the first quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

No. 25 Memphis runs all over Rice in road rout

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Frank Peasant tallied three of Memphis’ five rushing scores, the defense held Rice to 212 yards, and the No. 25 Tigers kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive Friday with a 38-14 Halloween night rout of the Owls in Houston.

Peasant, who entered with three total touchdowns on the year, found paydirt three times in the first half as two-TD favorite Memphis (8-1, 4-1 American) led by 24 at halftime and was never challenged by the Owls (4-5, 1-4).

The second-place Tigers still have matchups against Tulane next Friday, at East Carolina and versus conference-leading Navy on Nov. 27 in their chase for the CFP, which releases its first rankings on Tuesday night.

Quarterback Brendon Lewis went 18 of 22 for 225 yards. He carried the ball 12 times for a game-high 87 yards and a score but left with an injury in the fourth quarter. Cortez Braham Jr. had three receptions for 66 yards.

Defensive back Omarion Cooper grabbed an interception, his first in three seasons.

Memphis’ defense held Rice to seven drives of three plays or less, had 11 tackles for loss and limited the Owls to 3-of-15 on third-down conversions.

Rice quarterback Chase Jenkins was 11 of 16 for 100 yards, a TD and a pick. Aaron Turner caught the lone score as part of his 29-yard showing.

After producing a three-and-out on Rice’s first series, the visitors took over, and Lewis had a big third-down conversion with a 30-yard pass to Braham. Lewis broke three tackles on an 18-yard rambling TD.

Defensive back Kamari Wilson forced and recovered a fumble on a backwards pass that was originally called incomplete but overturned on review. Memphis soon made it 14-0 on Frank Peasant’s 2-yard run at 2:34 of the first quarter.

Peasant added a second short score at 12:25 of the second quarter before notching another with 7:54 left in the half to make it 28-0.

Turner put Rice on the board with a 12-yard catch from Jenkins, but Gianni Spetic’s 37-yard field goal left Memphis with a commanding 31-7 edge at the break.

Greg Desrosiers Jr. had Memphis’ fifth score in the third, and Rice’s Tyvonn Byars (43 receiving yards) notched his first career TD on a short run with 3:28 left.

–Field Level Media

Memphis' Brendon Lewis (2) throws a pass during the game between USF and Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on October 25, 2025.

No. 25 Memphis heads to Rice in CFP driver’s seat after USF upset

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The first set of College Football Playoff rankings will be released next week, and Memphis is offering a convincing case for inclusion, especially if it can become the American Conference champion.

The 25th-ranked Tigers attempt to follow up their win over South Florida with another strong performance Friday night when they take on Rice in Houston.

Memphis (7-1, 3-1 American) trails Navy by 1 1/2 games for the conference lead, and the two schools end the regular season against each other on Nov. 27. The Tigers also trail Tulane by a half-game and visit the Green Wave next Friday.

Memphis is projected to be the 12th seed in the playoff by winning the conference title, but knows it must take care of business after overcoming a 14-point deficit in last week’s 34-31 win over South Florida, which was previously undefeated in conference play.

“Immediately on a short week, we have to turn the focus to Rice,” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said. “Great focus on a great opponent on the road on a Friday night.

“This game is the most important game of the season. I want our guys to sense that.”

Memphis was able to get the win thanks to Brendon Lewis, whose 307 passing yards were a career high. Lewis also tied the team lead with 35 of the Tigers’ 129 rushing yards, his stellar performance coming after he exited the 31-24 loss at UAB on Oct. 18 with a leg injury.

Rice (4-4, 1-3) snapped a three-game losing streak by outlasting UConn for a wild 37-34 double-overtime win last week. Friday begins a tough final four-game stretch in which Rice plays Memphis, North Texas and South Florida, who have a combined 20-4 record.

The Owls have the second-worst scoring offense in the conference (21.6 points), and average 103.6 passing yards (134th out of 136 FBS teams), but also can give opponents trouble with a triple option offense similar to Navy’s.

“That’s a challenge, especially when you’re playing this type of offense,” Silverfield said about Rice. “You’ve got to keep the guys in the right mindset, keeping those guys in rhythm, understanding the ebbs and flows of the game.”

Last week, Quinton Jackson ran for 168 yards, caught three passes for 80 yards and scored four touchdowns, including the game-ending 23-yard score in double overtime.

Jackson also had a 73-yard TD run and 75-yard TD catch, becoming the first player in program history with a 70-plus yard rushing and receiving score in the same game.

Rice scored its second-most points this season after being held to a combined 47 points during its three-game skid. Jackson had his third 100-yard rushing showing after being held to 6 yards in a 61-13 loss at UTSA on Oct. 11.

“It’s a great feeling,” Jackson said. “We’ve been through a lot of hardships the last two, three, four weeks, so it really feels good to see that celebration. We haven’t had that feeling in a very long time.”

Chase Jenkins also returned after getting hurt in the loss to UTSA, completing 17 of 22 passes for a season-high 191 yards to go along with 57 rushing yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Remember me? Rashee Rice stars in KC return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wide receiver Rashee Rice scored two touchdowns in his first game in more than a year, putting quarterback Patrick Mahomes back in his comfort zone in the Chiefs’ 31-0 victory over the Raiders on Sunday.

Rice caught seven passes for 42 yards and two touchdowns, debuting in 2025 following a six-game suspension for off-field conduct related to his role in a drag-racing incident in Texas. His 2024 season ended with a torn ACL last September.

“It was great to have him back,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I think you saw the trust that Pat (Mahomes) has in him, which is so important… It was great to have him back in there. The energy he brings is tremendous.”

Mahomes said he and Rice were “a little off” on a few particular plays but credited Rice for the diligent work he’s put in since tearing his ACL in 2024.

“It meant a lot more today. You don’t really notice how much you love something until it’s gone or possibly could be gone,” Rice said. “I was able to get a glimpse of that. I don’t ever want to feel that again.”

Mahomes and Reid said there’s a good chance Rice will only get more involved each week.

“When it comes to the way he moves, the way he runs routes, I have a good feel for where he wants the ball and where to throw it to,” Mahomes said. “He’s been working.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) leaves the field following the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Chiefs delighted with Rashee Rice’s week of practice

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Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice completed a solid week of practice Friday and is expected to play a significant role when he makes his season debut against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Rice ended a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy last week. He returned to the team in good form and coach Andy Reid was pleased with what he saw from the team’s top wideout.

“He looked sharp,” Reid said of Rice. “It’s not a game, but what we asked him to do, he did well. You can tell he’s in good shape. That’s always your worry when someone misses a few weeks, because it’s different when you’re playing. But he busted his tail, so now it’s just a matter of getting in a game and getting reps. We’ll see how all that goes.”

Rice said he was training in Florida and Texas during his suspension. He said his workouts focused on route running, strength and conditioning and quickness.

“I trained Monday through Friday and did some type of workout on Sunday to have my mind get ready to get active on a game day,” Rice said in his first public comments since rejoining the team.

Rice, 25, was disciplined by the NFL for his role in a multicar crash on a Dallas freeway in 2024 that left multiple people injured.

Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges: collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He received deferred adjudication on a 30-day jail sentence, and the case will be dismissed if he complies with the terms of his probation.

When the NFL suspended Rice, he decided not to appeal.

“Honestly, it was a decision that was best for not only me but for the team so I could be here right now,” Rice said of his decision. “All of that is over, so I’m ready (to play). I learned that I love the game of football. It’s probably my second love (behind my family), but I was able to realize how strong I am mentally in being able to face a lot of adversity, at the time.”

The contest against the Raiders will be Rice’s first in 12-plus months. In Week 4 of last season, he badly injured his right knee and missed the rest of the season. He had 24 catches for 288 yards and two scores before the injury.

“This week is really big,” Rice said. “I’m very excited to be out there to compete.”

Rice was a standout rookie in 2023 with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 26 catches for 262 yards and one score in four playoff games while helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.

Kansas City will be without rookie left tackle Josh Simmons (personal reasons) for the second straight week.

Simmons left the team prior to last Sunday night’s win over the Detroit Lions for his hometown of San Diego. Reid described Simmons’ absence as a “family situation.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice back at practice after end of suspension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since his six-game suspension ended.

Rice was disciplined for violating the NFL’s person conduct policy, stemming from his role in a multicar crash on a Dallas freeway in 2024 that left multiple people injured.

Kansas City coach Andy Reid said that Rice will play in Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Reid wasn’t sure how many snaps Rice will receive.

“He’s excited to be back in and going,” Reid told reporters on Wednesday. “I think getting through practices (this week) will be good for him to get into the swing of things. He’s been working hard. He’s in good shape.”

Rice is Kansas City’s top receiver after being a standout rookie in 2023 with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 26 catches for 262 yards and one score in four playoff games while helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.

Rice was off to a solid start with 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns last season. But he sustained a major knee injury in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season.

Off the field, Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges for his role in the crash in Dallas. He received deferred adjudication on a 30-day jail sentence, and the case will be dismissed if he complies with the terms of his probation.

Now Rice, 25, is about to step on the field in a regular season game for the first time in 12-plus months.

“He’s going to want to be out there every single play,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Rice. “That’s the mentality that he has. It’s going to be our job, as teammates and coaches, to build him back the right way. But it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field, for sure.”

Also, offensive tackle Josh Simmons (personal reasons) and running back Brashard Smith (illness) missed practice Wednesday. Simmons, the team’s first-round pick this year, left the team prior to Sunday night’s win over the Detroit Lions for his hometown of San Diego.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars running back Dean Connors (44) runs with the ball as Rice Owls safety Peyton Stevenson (9) attempts to make a tackle during the first quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston overcomes sluggish start to top crosstown-rival Rice

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Conner Weigman passed for 188 yards and accounted for a pair of touchdowns, and Will James returned an interception for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter as the visiting Houston Cougars claimed a 35-9 road victory over their crosstown rival Rice Owls on Saturday.

Weigman paired a 9-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter with a 74-yard scoring strike to Stephon Johnson in the fourth that answered a lengthy touchdown drive from the Owls (1-1). The Cougars (2-0) labored offensively for most of the first half, but Weigman converted a critical third down before Houston delivered a quick strike just before the break.

Trailing 3-0 and with the Cougars facing third-and-long from their 21-yard line, Weigman completed a 21-yard pass to Tanner Koziol that set the table for Dean Connors to break off a 54-yard touchdown run that put the Cougars ahead 7-3 with 40 seconds left in the first half.

Houston amassed 161 yards on 31 plays before the intermission, including Connors’ 54-yard dash. The Cougars had as many punts (five) as first downs before the intermission.

The Cougars’ first possession of the second half, however, covered 76 yards in 15 plays, with Connors (13-yard run), Koziol (15-yard reception) and Stacy Sneed (14-yard reception) converting timely chunk plays before Weigman extended the lead to 14-3 with his score on a delayed quarterback draw at the 6:24 mark of the third quarter.

Defensively, the Cougars forced the Owls into a 3-and-out on their first second-half possession before Brandon Mack II, Sione Fotu and Eddie Walls III combined for two sacks to stifle the Owls after the Cougars scored. James followed by nabbing a pass from Rice quarterback Chase Jenkins that was tipped by Latreveon McCutchin and returning it 37 yards for a touchdown.

Jenkins’ 3-yard run pulled the Owls to within 21-9, but Weigman hit Johnson for a score before Connors added a 42-yard touchdown with 3:40 left. Connors rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

–Field Level Media

Aug 28, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman (1) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston, encouraged by key debuts, renews rivalry with Rice

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While Houston coach Willie Fritz opened his second season with the Cougars last Thursday, there was enough change within the program to mimic the feeling of an altogether fresh start.

The Cougars’ 27-0 home victory over Stephen F. Austin not only featured a ballyhooed newcomer at quarterback in Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman, but also a pair of coordinators new to the program in Slade Nagle (offensive) and Austin Armstrong (defensive).

Houston (1-0) experienced smooth sailing in its coaching mechanics, but the Cougars still expect improvement when they travel to face crosstown rival Rice (1-0) on Saturday.

“I thought they both did an excellent job,” Fritz said. “We talked (Sunday) for about 20 minutes about how we could improve our press box to sideline communication, all the communication on the sideline, because we’ve got a new group. We’ve also got a new special teams coordinator with Chris Couch. We wanted to improve our communication, how we do things on the sideline.

“I thought all three of them did an excellent job for Game 1. But we’ll get better.”

Weigman finished 15-of-24 for 159 yards and three touchdowns in his eagerly anticipated debut. He also rushed for 39 yards.

“It was the first game he played in quite a while,” Fritz said. “Last season, he was banged up; he’s healthy now. I think it was good for him to knock some of the rust off.

Rice coach Scott Abell produced a successful debut with the Owls last Saturday in a 14-12 road victory over Louisiana. The Owls entered as a two-touchdown underdog against the Ragin’ Cajuns and will seek to carry the momentum of that upset into their showdown with Houston.

“I am excited to see what we can learn from that,” Abell said. “I do think that you learn a lot about your team between Week 1 and Week 2. I look forward to what we are going to learn about ourselves between this week and next week. And the next play for us is … Saturday.”

Quinton Jackson led a strong rushing attack against Louisiana (22 carries, 119 yards, one TD). The Owls held their opponents to just 88 passing yards, but their own quarterback, Chase Jenkins, threw for just 45.

Houston has won eight of the last nine meetings with Rice, including 33-7 last year.

–Field Level Media