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Rice University Athletics
Graham Era To Open Against Houston
2/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 10, 2006
Houston - The Todd Graham era of Rice football will begin with a Sept. 2 battle against Houston, highlighting the 2006 schedule announced Friday.
The Owls and Cougars will compete for the Bayou Bucket at Rice Stadium for the first time since 2002, and it will be the season opener for each team for the first time since 2004 when the game was played at Reliant Stadium.
"Probably the thing I'm most excited about is the opportunity to have a home opener," said Graham, named Rice's 17th head football coach on Jan. 1. "And to be able to have that home opener against a crosstown rival is something we're very excited about. It's great for our fans, and great for getting people out here to the stadium to see how we're going to entertain them."
The Owls will play only one of four non-conference games at home, but that one contest is a Sept. 16 bout against defending national champion Texas at Reliant Stadium. Rice will also play non-league games at UCLA (Sept. 9), Florida State (Sept. 23), and Army (Sept. 30).
In addition to the Houston opener, Rice will host Conference USA games against UAB (Oct. 14), East Carolina (Nov. 18) and Southern Methodist (Nov. 25).
"Anytime you're playing in Conference USA and playing that kind of preseason schedule, it's very challenging, but we're excited about it," added Graham. "Our kids are working hard and they're fired up about it."
Graham will welcome 53 returning lettermen -- including 11 offensive and eight defensive starters -- for the start of spring practice on March 1. The Owls will hold their final spring game/scrimmage on April 8.
The complete 2006 schedule (game times to be announced):
Sept. 2: Houston (C-USA, Rice Stadium)
Sept. 9: UCLA (Pasadena, Calif.)
Sept. 16: Texas (Reliant Stadium)
Sept. 23: Florida State (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Sept. 30: Army (West Point, N.Y.)
Oct. 7: Tulane (C-USA, New Orleans, La.)
Oct. 14: UAB (C-USA, Rice Stadium)
Oct. 21: UCF (C-USA, Orlando, Fla.)
Nov. 4: UTEP (C-USA, El Paso)
Nov. 11: Tulsa (C-USA, Tulsa, Okla.)
Nov. 18: East Carolina (C-USA, Rice Stadium)
Nov. 25: SMU (C-USA, Rice Stadium)
