Game Primer: Rice

GAME 4 - RICE

Houston vs. Rice
Sept. 24 | 5 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

PREGAME ACTIVITES

Check out the Red Bull Pitt Stop Challenge outside Gate 2.
Come early and enjoy the expanded Kids' Zone near Schroeder Gate 1. This week will feature the Houston Rockets Interactive area, plus Howdy's Ice Cream and Raising Cane's!
Student Tailgate Sponsored by H-E-B, Dean of Students and SGA: All students are invited to stop by the student tailgate tent outside of Gate 2. Hang out with your friends and enjoy tailgate games, TVs, video games, food and giveaways!
Come Early and join the team for Cougar Walk at 2:45 p.m.

IN GAME ACTIVITES

Live halftime performance by H-Town legends Bun B, Paul Wall and XO.
Recognition of the Houston Soccer team.
Performances by the Spirit of Houston!
Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls on hand to entertain you!
DJ Yobi Yobz mixin' it up in the student section!
Houston R12E Seat Covers: All Cougar Pride Athletic Fund members who are both football season ticket holders and contributors to the Houston Rise campaign will be recognized with a commemorative seat cover.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The Cougars rank 12th nationally in tackles for loss per game (8.7) and are 18th in team sacks per game (3.0). Defensive lineman Derek Parish is third nationally with 1.67 sacks per game and set an American Athletic Conference record with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks at Texas Tech on Sept. 10.
Houston is the only school in the country with multiple edge defenders ranked inside the Top 20 of Pro Football Focus's (PFF) player rankings. D'Anthony Jones ranks 12th with an 87.2 grade and Derek Parish checks in at No. 16 with an 86.1 grade. Parish's pass rush grade of 89.7 ranks fifth nationally while Jones ranks seventh at 88.8.
With 107 receiving yards against Kansas, Houston running back Ta'Zhawn Henry became the first Houston running back to eclipse the 100-yard mark since Charles Sims did so on Oct. 18, 2012, at SMU (114 yards). He also became the first Houston player since Alton McCaskill IV to record a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game (Sept. 11, 2021, at Rice).

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

The Cougars, members of Conference USA from 1996-2012, have regularly battled their former league. Houston is 29-10 against current C-USA members since the start of the 2006 season including wins in 11 of the last 13 contests. Houston outlasted C-USA member UTSA, 37-35 in three overtimes during its season opener.
Houston and Rice have the shortest distance between two FBS programs (4.6 driving miles). The two cross-town programs began competing for the Bayou Bucket trophy in 1974 after it was created by the Touchdown Club of Houston.
When the two teams met a season ago at Rice Stadium, it was the first matchup between the programs in 1,000-plus days (Sept. 1, 2018). The 2022 edition of the rivalry will mark the Owls first visit to TDECU Stadium since Sept. 16, 2017 – a span of 1,834 days. The Cougars won that game, 38-3. It will also be just the Owls second visit to TDECU Stadium.
The Cougars opened their season with a three-overtime win at UTSA and a double-overtime loss at Texas Tech. It marked the first time in program history that Houston had played back-to-back overtime games. It is also the most overtime games the Cougars have played in a single season since 2000. Houston and UTSA are the only schools nationally to have played multiple overtime games this season.
Houston is looking to right the ship after dropping consecutive games for the first time since falling to Hawaii, 28-14, on Dec. 24, 2020, in the New Mexico Bowl and to Texas Tech, 38-21, in the Texas Kickoff Classic on Sept. 4, 2021.

SCOUTING RICE

Saturday will mark the 44th all-time meeting between Houston and Rice and the 41st to decide possession of the Bayou Bucket. The Cougars lead the all-time series against the Owls, 32-11. Houston's six-game win streak in the series (2011-present) is tied for the longest by either school in the history of the rivalry (Houston, 6 games, 1987-92).
The Cougars lead the all-time series, which began in 1971, 32-11 and have won the last six (2011-present).

LAST TIME AGAINST RICE

With three total touchdowns, Alton McCaskill IV became the first Cougar true freshman to score three touchdowns in a game since Bryce Beall's two rushing and one receiving touchdowns at Tulane on Nov. 8, 2008.
The contest marked Houston's fewest yards allowed (212) since permitting 142 at Texas State on Sept. 24, 2016. Rice's 86 yards passing marked the fewest by an opponent in the Dana Holgorsen era.
Art Green, Alex Hogan and Hasaan Hypolite all recorded interceptions in the game. Hogan returned his 91 yards for his first career touchdown at Houston.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD

Be Houston's seventh consecutive against Rice, marking the longest by either team at any point in the series.
Move Houston to 30-10 against current Conference USA programs since the start of the 2006 season.
Help Houston avoid its first three-game losing streak since dropping as many between Dec. 12, 2020 - Sept. 4, 2021.

SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Your Houston Football program is fresh off a 12-win campaign and Birmingham Bowl title and fans are encouraged to act quickly to purchase 2022 season tickets while supplies last. Season tickets are available for as low as $99.

First-time season tickets holders can click here to purchase tickets or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).

Houston Athletics is excited to introduce our new "Family Four-Pack" seats that offer a fun and affordable entertainment option for families to come enjoy Houston Cougar Football starting as low as $80 per ticket (based on minimum of 4 tickets on select seating locations). For a full list of prices and TDECU Stadium seating map, click here.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.

JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
 
STAY CONNECTED 
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.

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Players Mentioned

Art Green

Ta'Zhawn Henry

Alex Hogan

Hasaan Hypolite

D'Anthony Jones

Alton McCaskill IV

Derek Parish