Rice University
4-5 , 1-4
#25 Memphis
8-1 , 4-1
Fast Start Propels Tigers Past Owls
10/31/2025 11:05:00 PM | Football
UAB up next Saturday for Homecoming
How it Happened: Rice won the toss and elected to take the ball to open the game, but could not muster a first down. Memphis took the ball at its 46 and needed five plays to cover the 54 yards and take the early lead. The Tigers' defense forced five consecutive three-and-outs while the offense piled up 284 yards in the first half. Down 28-0, Rice's offense found its rhythm late in the second quarter as quarterback Chase Jenkins hit six of seven passes for 44 yards, including an 11-yard toss to Aaron Turner on fourth and nine from the Memphis 38. Four plays later, Jenkins found Turner in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. A late field goal gave Memphis a 31-7 lead at the half, but Rice held the Tigers' offense in check, limiting them to 71 yards on 21 plays and holding them to 74 yards under their season average of 429 per game. Their only points in the second half were set up by an interception that stymied an 14 play drive by the Owls. Jenkins engineered the Owls' second scoring drive of the night on their first possession of the fourth quarter, a 12-play, 76-yard march that was highlighted by a 43-yard catch and run by Tyvonn Byars after Jenkins scrambled to keep the play alive. The Owls drove to the Memphis two and gained new life when the Tigers were called for holding on fourth down. Byars took advantage of the new set of downs, slicing through the line for his first career touchdown to complete the scoring.
Up Next: Rice returns to Rice Stadium next Saturday, hosting UAB for the Owls' 105th Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.
NOTES
TEAM
- Memphis improved to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the American Conference and to 4-2 all-time against Rice (2-1 at Rice Stadium).
- Rice dropped to 4-5 and 1-4 in the conference.
- The Owls dropped their fourth straight home game vs. a ranked opponent.
- WR Payton Matthews and OL Cole Principe made their first career starts raising the Owls' total of first-time starters this season to 18 (11 on offense and seven on defense).
- Andrew Awe was credited with a career-high 12 tackles.
- Tony Anyanwu moved into a tie for the team lead with his fourth sack of the season.
- Blake Boenisch had a season-high seven tackles and has 17 in two games vs. Memphis. He was credited with his first solo sack of the year and has matched his career high with 1.5 this year.
- Alex Bacchetta averaged 48.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 59 yards… He has 10 punts of better than 60 yards in his last six games.
Team Stats
MEM 7, RIC 0
MEM - Lewis,Brendon 18 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 5 plays, 54 yards, TOP 02:28
MEM 14, RIC 0
MEM - Peasant,Frank 2 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 3 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:16
MEM 21, RIC 0
MEM - Peasant,Frank 1 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 6 plays, 51 yards, TOP 03:07
MEM 28, RIC 0
MEM - Peasant,Frank 1 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 6 plays, 86 yards, TOP 02:39
MEM 28, RIC 7
RIC - Turner,Aaron 12 yd pass from Jenkins,Chase (Gota,Enock kick) 12 plays, 78 yards, TOP 05:49
MEM 31, RIC 7
MEM - Spetic,Gianni 37 yd field goal 9 plays, 56 yards, TOP 02:03
MEM 38, RIC 7
MEM - Desrosiers Jr.,Greg 2 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 4 plays, 27 yards, TOP 01:09
MEM 38, RIC 14
RIC - Byars,Tyvonn 1 yd run (Allen,Chase kick), 12 plays, 76 yards, TOP 06:19
