University of Houston
Rice
Kolb Leads Cougars Over Rice 48-14
8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug 30, 2003
HOUSTON (AP) - Freshman Kevin Kolb threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more Saturday night to lead Houston to a 48-14 victory over crosstown rival Rice, making coach Art Briles a winner in his debut.
Kolb, named the starter ahead of sophomore Blade Bassler shortly before kickoff of the annual Bayou Bucket game, finished 17-of-22 for 246 yards and no interceptions in the opener for both teams.
Brandon Middleton caught four passes for 122 yards and two scores. Vincent Marshall had eight receptions for 95 yards and threw a crushing block that sprung Middleton for his second TD, which came on a short pass that Middleton took 55 yards down the right sideline to make it 41-7 midway into the third quarter.
Kolb set the tone in the first quarter when, ahead 3-0, he faced a second-and-31 after a double penalty on the Houston offense. He responded with a 47-yard bomb to Middleton, who beat linebacker Jeff Vanover near the goal line and took it into the end zone.
After Houston took a 17-0 lead with the first of two 1-yard TD dives by Kolb, Rice showed signs of life despite losing halfback Clint Hatfield with a sprained left ankle. Greg Henderson capped a quick 74-yard drive with a 22-yard keeper around the right end for a touchdown.
Henderson added a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. He led Rice with 73 yards rushing.
The margin of victory was Houston's largest in the series since 1989, when both teams were in the Southwest Conference and Andre Ware led the Cougars to a 64-0 victory moments before claiming the Heisman Trophy.
By MARK BABINECK
Associated Press Writer
