Turnovers Costly as Rice Drops Season Opener, 38-17, at Arkansas

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The Lead

Arkansas took advantage of three Wiley Green second half interceptions as Rice fell, 38-17, Saturday afternoon from Donald W. Reynolds Razoback Stadium in both team's season opener.

The Story

After both teams punted on their first possession, Arkansas drove 80 for a touchdown. Two possessions later, Rice drove down to the Arkansas 18-yard line, but Collin Riccitelli missed a 36-yard field goal. Kenneth Orji opened the second quarter by blocking an Arkansas punt and Rice took over on the Razorback 21-yard line. The Owls drove to the seven-yard line before Riccitelli got Rice on the board with a 25-yard field goal. Two possessions later, the Owls took the lead, driving 41 yards, capped off by Jordan Myer's one-yard touchdown run and they went into halftime with a 10-7 lead.

Both teams were held on their opening possession of the second half. However, after taking over at its 44, Rice needed just two plays to reach the end zone, as Wiley Green connected with August Pitre III on a 41-yard touchdown. However, Arkansas wasted no time going down the field, scoring on a five-yard run. The Owls put together a drive of their own, going 57 yards to the Arkansas 18. But on fourth-and-one, Jordan Myers was stopped for no gain and the Razorbacks took over. They put together a drive getting down to the Rice 24, but Rice forced a field goal that tied the game at 17. On Rice's next possession, Green's pass was deflected and intercepted by Jalen Catalon, who returned it to the Rice nine. Three plays later, Arkansas took the lead. Arkansas then took advantage of two Green interceptions, scoring touchdowns on each ensuing possession for the 38-17 final score.

Postgame Notes
Team

Rice is now 57-51-2 all-time in season openers.
Rice opened the season on the road for the 37^th time. The Owls are 6-31 when opening the season on the road.
This was the 68^th meeting between the Owls and Razorbacks and first in since 1991. Arkansas leads the series, 36-29-3, including 22-12 when hosting Rice.
Rice won the toss and deferred to the second half.
Arkansas's touchdown at 8:23 of the first quarter were the first, first quarter points allowed since the final game of the 2019 season at UTEP. Rice did not allow a first quarter point last year.
Rice was held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time since Nov. 2, 2019 against Marshall.

Individual

CB Jordan Dunbar made his first career start.
LB Desmyn Baker, QB TJ McMahon and OT Trey Phillippi all made their collegiate debuts.
QB Luke McCaffrey, WR Cedric Patterson III and K Christian VanSickle made their Rice debuts.
QB Wiley Green started the game, marking the seventh straight year that Rice has started a different quarterback in the season opener.
Green was 12-of-25 for 152 yards and one touchdown.
TE Jordan Myers scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter. It is his third career rushing touchdown.
WR August Pitre III caught four passes for a career-high 97 yards and touchdown. It is the fourth touchdown of his career.
Pitre III's 41-yard touchdown reception was the longest catch of his career.
After entering the game with just two career tackles, LB Myron Morrison recorded a career-high nine.
CB Sean Fresch recorded his first career interception in the second quarter.
LB Antonio Montero tied a career-high with 11 tackles, his fifth career double-digit tackle game.
Montero also recorded his second career sack on the first play of the game.
LB Treshawn Chamberlain set a new career-high with 11 tackles, his second career double-digit tackle game.
TE Jaeger Bull caught his first pass since Middle Tennessee in 2019. He finished with two catches for 14 yards.
LB Kenneth Orji blocked an Arkansas punt in the second quarter. It was Rice's first blocked punt since Chandler Watkins at Florida Atlantic on Oct. 10, 2015.
LB Desmyn Baker recorded his first career tackle for loss in the second quarter.
K Collin Riccitelli connected on a 25-yard field goal in the first quarter.

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