Rice University
3-8 , 2-5
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UTEP
7-4 , 4-3
Rice Drops Road Finale at UTEP
11/20/2021 7:25:00 PM | Football
Rice scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 21-14 halftime lead, but UTEP answered with 24 straight second half points to defeat the Owls, 38-28, Saturday afternoon at the Sun Bowl.
The Story
UTEP took the opening possession 75 yards, scoring on a seven-yard pass. After forcing two Mine punts, Rice drove 15 plays, covering 70 yards before Ari Broussard went over the top for a one-yard touchdown run, tying the game early in the second quarter. But the Miners came right back needing just five plays to score on a 14-yard touchdown pass. After trading punts, Rice took over at its 31-yard line. Four plays later, Cameron Montgomery ran 43 yards to the five-yard line. Jake Constantine then hit Jack Bradley in the back of the end zone to tie the game. But the Owls weren't done. On UTEP's second play of their next possession, Gabe Taylor picked off his second pass of the year, setting up Rice at its 48-yard line. Two plays later, Constantine hit Cedric Patterson III down the middle for a 33-yard touchdown, sending the Owls into halftime with a 21-14 lead.
After Rice was forced to punt on its opening possession of the second half, its defense held UTEP to a field goal. Two possessions later, UTEP took the lead for good, scoring on a one-yard run. UTEP pushed the lead to 10 on a one-yard touchdown. Rice then drove down to the UTEP 39. But on fourth-and-two, Luke McCaffrey's pass to Patterson fell incomplete and the Miners took over. They wasted no time capitalizing, scoring after just six plays. McCaffrey then drove Rice 75 yards before he punched it in from two yards out. But Rice would get no closer.
Team
- This was the 24th meeting between Rice and UTEP. Rice holds a 15-9 record in the series
- When played in El Paso, the series is tied at six.
- Rice's 21 second quarter points are its most in any quarter since scoring 28 against UTEP on Nov. 19, 2016.
Individual
- QB Jake Constantine was 14-of-25 for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
- Constantine has eight touchdowns on the year and 41 in his career.
- RB Cameron Montgomery ran nine times for a career-high 78 yards.
- Montgomery's 43-yard run in the second quarter was a career-long.
- WR Jake Bailey caught five passes for 58 yards.
- With 58 receiving yards, Bailey went over 1,000 career receiving yards.
- RB Ari Broussard scored on a one-yard touchdown run. It was his third rushing touchdown of the season.
- TE Jack Bradley scored on a five-yard touchdown pass. It was his first touchdown of the season and second of the year.
- Bradley's 28-yard reception in the fourth quarter was the longest of his career.
- WR Cedric Patterson III caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It was his fourth touchdown of the year and seventh of his career.
- QB Luke McCaffrey rushed four times for 43 yards and a touchdown.
- S Gabe Taylor led the team with eight tackles.
- Taylor recorded his second interception in the second quarter.
- LB Plae Wyatt recorded a career-high six tackles.
Team Stats
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RCE 0, TEP 7
TEP - Cowing,Jacob 7 yd pass from Hardison,Gavin (Baechle,Gavin kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:52
RCE 7, TEP 7
RCE - Broussard,Ari 1 yd run (VanSickle,Christian kick), 15 plays, 70 yards, TOP 08:45
RCE 7, TEP 14
TEP - Garrett,Justin 14 yd pass from Hardison,Gavin (Baechle,Gavin kick) 5 plays, 66 yards, TOP 01:45
RCE 14, TEP 14
RCE - Bradley,Jack 6 yd pass from Constantine,Jake (VanSickle,Christian kick) 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 02:30
RCE 21, TEP 14
RCE - Patterson III,Cedric 33 yd pass from Constantine,Jake (VanSickle,Christian kick) 2 plays, 52 yards, TOP 00:18
RCE 21, TEP 17
TEP - Baechle,Gavin 22 yd field goal 15 plays, 78 yards, TOP 06:29
RCE 21, TEP 24
TEP - Brownholtz,Calvin 1 yd run (Baechle,Gavin kick), 5 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:02
RCE 21, TEP 31
TEP - Wadley,Quardraiz 1 yd run (Baechle,Gavin kick), 3 plays, 81 yards, TOP 01:18
RCE 21, TEP 38
TEP - Brownholtz,Calvin 1 yd run (Baechle,Gavin kick), 6 plays, 61 yards, TOP 02:44
RCE 28, TEP 38
RCE - McCaffrey,Luke 2 yd run (VanSickle,Christian kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:20
