Rice Falls at UTSA

Saturday, November 11

San Antonio, TX

6:30 PM

Rice University

4-6 , 2-4

UTSA

7-3 , 6-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Rice	0	7	0	7	14
UTSA	3	7	21	3	34

Photo by: Rodolfo Gonzalez Rice Athletics

11/11/2023 10:29:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: By: Tim Andrzejewski (tim.andrzejewski@rice.edu)

The Lead

Rice was held to just 229 total yards and UTSA used a 21-point third quarter to turn a three-point Rice halftime deficit into a 34-14 defeat, Saturday night at the Alamodome.

The Story

After the teams traded punts to start the game, Chase Allen connected on a 26-yard field goal. The game remained that way until the final minute of the half when Frank Harris hit Joshua Cephus for a six-yard touchdown and a 10-0 UTSA lead. However, the Owls needed just 35 seconds to answer as AJ Padgett connected with Luke McCaffrey on a 27-yard touchdown, getting Rice on the board and sending it into halftime trailing 10-7.

Rice went three-and-out to start the second half. The Roadrunners, aided by a fourth down personal foul, went 63 yards, scoring on a one-yard yard run. After the Owls were forced to punt, Chris Carpenter took the ensuing return 50 yards for a touchdown. Rice then went three-and-out and the Roadrunners needed just five plays before Rocko Griffin scored on a one-yard one. UTSA added a field goal in the fourth quarter. Padgett then led a nine-play, 75-yard drive, culminating with a 22-yard touchdown reception to Landon Randon-Goelz.

Team

Rice falls to 4-6 on the year and 2-4 in the AAC.
This was the 11^th meeting between Rice and UTSA.
UTSA leads the series, 8-3.
Rice won the toss and deferred to the second half.

Individual

LB Beau Barton saw his first career action.
LB DJ Arkansas made his first career start.
QB AJ Padgett made his first start of the year and first since Dec. 17, 2022 vs. Southern Miss in the LendingTree Bowl.
Padgett was 17-of-28 for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
He has three touchdowns this year and nine in his career.
WR Luke McCaffrey led all players with six passes for 68 yards and touchdown.
With 68 receiving yards, McCaffrey went over 1,500 career.
He now has 10 touchdown receptions on the year and 16 in his career.
McCaffrey became the sixth player in school history with at least 10 touchdown receptions in a season, tying Bradley Rozner (2022) for fifth-place in school history.
He also ties Eric Henley (1988-91) for fifth-place with 16 career touchdown receptions.
WR Landon Ransom-Goelz caught a 22-yard touchdown, his third of the season.
S Sean Fresch set a career-high with nine tackles.
LB Myron Morrison also had nine tackles.
Arkansas set a career-high with six tackles.
S Plae Wyatt forced his first fumble of the season in the second quarter and the second of his career.
DL Izeya Floyd recovered his first career fumble in the second quarter.
Morrison and DE Jordan Campbell combined for a sack in the second quarter.
Morrison has one sack this year and 2.5 in his career.
Campbell has one sack this year.