University of Houston
1-1 , 0-0
Rice
0-2 , 0-0
Houston Shuts Down Rice, 44-7
9/11/2021 8:59:00 PM | Football
Cougars retain Bayou Bucket with dominant victory
The Cougars (1-1) limited Rice (0-2) to 212 total yards and one touchdown. Houston freshman running back Alton McCaskill scored the first three touchdowns of his collegiate career to help clinch Houston's sixth consecutive victory against the Owls.
McCaskill finished with 40 yards on 14 rushes alongside four catches for 51 yards. He becomes the first Houston freshman to score three touchdowns in a game since Bryce Beall against Tulane on Nov. 8, 2008.
Houston quarterback Clayton Tune finished the game 22-of-30 for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He also posted a game-high 49 rushing yards before exiting in place of backup Ike Ogbogu early in the fourth quarter.
The Cougars limited the Owls to minus-3 yards in the third quarter and added three interceptions on the day including a pick for a 91-yard touchdown by Alex Hogan as regulation expired.
Nathaniel Dell logged a game-high seven catches for 87 yards and Marcus Jones contributed four catches for 51 yards. Houston amassed 393 yards of total offense and went 8-for-13 on third-down conversions.
Houston returns to action against Grambling at TDECU Stadium next Saturday at 6 p.m. as part of the Celebration of 75 years of Houston Athletics. To purchase tickets, fans can visit UHCougars.com/tickets or call 713 GO COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
Team Stats
HOU 7, RIC 0
HOU - McCaskill,Alton 35 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Witherspoon,Dalton kick) 8 plays, 84 yards, TOP 03:30
HOU 10, RIC 0
HOU - Witherspoon,Dalton 38 yd field goal 7 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:18
HOU 17, RIC 0
HOU - Herslow,Jake 11 yd pass from Tune,Clayton (Witherspoon,Dalton kick) 6 plays, 48 yards, TOP 02:37
HOU 17, RIC 7
RIC - Myers,Jordan 5 yd pass from McCaffrey,Luke (Riccitelli,Collin kick) 11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 05:01
HOU 24, RIC 7
HOU - McCaskill,Alton 1 yd run (Witherspoon,Dalton kick), 17 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:42
HOU 31, RIC 7
HOU - McCaskill,Alton 2 yd run (Witherspoon,Dalton kick), 10 plays, 85 yards, TOP 04:29
HOU 38, RIC 7
HOU - Smith,Chandler 14 yd run (Witherspoon,Dalton kick), 2 plays, 20 yards, TOP 00:49
HOU 44, RIC 7
HOU - Hogan,Alex 91 yd interception ()
