Rice University
5-3 , 4-1
Tulane
2-5 , 1-3
Rice Routs Tulane, 42-17
10/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2008
Final Stats | Notes | AP Gallery 
NEW ORLEANS -- After seven games filled with passes, Rice rode a stout defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to down Tulane 42-17 in the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday. With the win, the Owls improved to 5-3 on the season, and 4-1 in Conference USA play. Tulane fell to 2-5/1-3.
Tulane entered the game with one of the top rushing attacks in the conference, averaging over 200 yards per game and 5 yards per carry in conference action. But the Owls limited Green Wave rushers to just 34 yards on 27 carries, forced three turnovers that led to a pair of touchdowns and blocked a field goal that was returned for a score.
The Owls also utilized a rushing attack of their own, as C.J. Ugokwe ran for 111 yards on 18 carries, his first career 100-yard effort. On the day, the Owls ran for 230 and passed for 168, the first time they have totaled more yards rushing than passing since the opener of the 2007 season.
Chase Clement, who threw for a pair of scores and 168 yards on the day, was intercepted on the Owls initial possession of the game. Rice's defense gave an indication of what was to come, forcing a three-and-out and then Clement led the Owls on a methodical 16-play, 94-yard drive that at up 8:46 and was capped by a seven-yard pass to James Casey. Clark Fangmeier added the extra point, to set a Rice career record with 119, surpassing the previous mark of 118 he shared with Brennan Landry.
The drive was the longest by plays since a 16-play drive against East Carolina in 2006, and the longest by time since 17-play march at Army in 2006 that took 8:49. The Owls needed much less time to tack on their next 21 points.
After forcing a second three-and-out by Tulane, the Owls needed just 1:34 to cover 60 yards, with Clement scoring from nine yards out. Brandon Tolbert then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and the Green Wave 17, and Clement found Casey in the end zone of the first play to push the lead to 21-0 as the first quarter came to a close.
Terrance Garmon picked off a pass on Tulane's third play of the following series, and the Owls needed just two plays to cover 42 yards score their fourth touchdown in the first 16:30 of the game.
Tulane mounted its first serious threat just before the half and drove to the Owls 23 just before halftime and lined up to try a field goal. But Scott Solomon blocked the attempt and Chris Jones picked up the ball and returned it 55-yards for a score to send the Owls into the locker room with a 35-0 lead.
Tulane came out throwing in the second half and scored 10 points on their first two possessions of the third quarter, but the Owls quelled any comeback hopes by answering with an 83-yard drive that was capped by Ugokwe's eight-yard touchdown. Redshirt freshman Travis Bradshaw, making his second consecutive start in placed of Andrew Sendejo, tied his career high with 12 tackles to lead the defense, while sophomore safety Willie Garley was credited his first two sacks, resulting in 22 yards lost. Garmon chipped in seven tackles and a sack to go along with his interception.
Rice will head back on the road next Saturday for their final road game of the 2008 regular season when they travel to El Paso to meet UTEP. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (central).
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Team Stats
RICE 7, TLN 0
RICE - CASEY, James 7 yd pass from CLEMENT, Chase (FANGMEIER, Clar kick) 16 plays, 94 yards, TOP 8:48
RICE 14, TLN 0
RICE - CLEMENT, Chase 9 yd run (FANGMEIER, Clar kick), 4 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:34
RICE 21, TLN 0
RICE - CASEY, James 17 yd pass from CLEMENT, Chase (FANGMEIER, Clar kick) 1 plays, 17 yards, TOP 0:06
RICE 28, TLN 0
RICE - CLEMENT, Chase 6 yd run (FANGMEIER, Clar kick), 2 plays, 42 yards, TOP 0:50
RICE 35, TLN 0
RICE - JONES, Chris 55 yd blocked field goal return (FANGMEIER, Clar kick)
RICE 35, TLN 3
TLN - THEVENOT, Ross 42 yd field goal 8 plays, 37 yards, TOP 2:49
RICE 35, TLN 10
TLN - ROBOTTOM, Casey 42 yd pass from KEMP, Joe (THEVENOT, Ross kick) 9 plays, 87 yards, TOP 4:59
RICE 42, TLN 10
RICE - UGOKWE, C.J. 8 yd run (FANGMEIER, Clar kick), 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 2:33
RICE 42, TLN 17
TLN - WILLIAMS, A. 18 yd pass from KEMP, Joe (THEVENOT, Ross kick) 5 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:16
