PREVIEW: Bayou Bucket Played 50 Years to Date

HOUSTON – The Battle for the Bayou Bucket between Houston and Rice continues 50 years to the date of the first matchup with the Bayou Bucket going to the winning team as the Cougars and Owls kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday inside TDECU Stadium.

GAME 3 – RICE

Houston (0-2, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Rice (1-1, 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 14 | 7 p.m. CT
TDECU Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

COOG FEST – PREGAME ACTIVITIES

Join the team for Cougar Walk at 4:30 p.m. Cougar Walk will be led by the UH Helmet Car with Shasta and Sasha. Plus, you will enjoy performances by the Spirit of Houston, UH Cheerleaders and the Cougar Dolls!

IN-GAME ACTIVITIES

Performances by the Spirit of Houston!
On the field recognitions of Houston Athletics' 2024 Olympians.
Cheerleaders and Cougar Dolls on hand to entertain you!
Join the Light Show in the 4th Quarter with Cougar Lights in the Houston Athletics app!

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Houston has scored 31-plus points in 14 consecutive games against Rice (2005-present). In the rivalry's 45 games played, the Cougars have eclipsed 50 points seven times, 60 points five times and 70 points twice, coming in 2009 and 2011.
With roster turnover, Houston returns just 21 players who competed against Rice a season ago. Just seven Cougars remain who played in the squad's last Bayou Bucket victory – a 34-27 win on Sept. 24, 2022, inside TDECU Stadium. That group includes just two starters from that game: wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV and linebacker Jamal Morris.
In two career games against Rice, Joseph Manjack IV owns eight receptions for 81 yards. A season ago, quarterback Donovan Smith accounted for five total touchdowns (two passing, three rushing) against the Owls. Smith completed 24 of 42 passes for 260 yards and rushed 16 times for 57 yards. In 2023, defensive back A.J. Haulcy matched a game best with 7.0 tackles against Rice.
Saturday marks Houston's non-conference finale before Big 12 Conference play begins on Sept. 21 at Cincinnati. The Cougars are 14-5 in non-conference games at TDECU Stadium (2014-present). Including Saturday vs. Rice, Houston's last 11 non-conference contests (Nov. 27, 2021-present) have featured seven games against Group of 5 opponents, three games against the Power 5 and one game against an Independent. Houston has not played an FCS non-conference opponent since defeating Grambling State, 45-0, on Sept. 18, 2021.
UH defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. is off to a strong start. The Tulane transfer, who blocked a field goal alongside three tackles and a sack vs. UNLV, posted five solo tackles including a career best 3.0 tackles for loss last Saturday at #15/13 Oklahoma. Cooper Jr.'s 4.0 tackles for loss rank 11th nationally and tied for the most in Texas. His three quarterback hits rank third in the Power Four and tops in the Big 12.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Last Saturday at #15/13 Oklahoma, UH's defense stepped up to the challenge. After the Sooners rushed for 220 yards (6.1 per carry) in their opener vs. Temple, they were limited to 75 rushing yards (2.6 per carry) against the Cougars. The last time Oklahoma was held under 100 yards rushing was Nov. 13, 2021, at Baylor (82 yards). The last time Oklahoma was held to fewer yards per rush was Sept. 25, 2021, vs. West Virginia (2.0). Oklahoma's 16 points were also its fewest at home since scoring as many against the Mountaineers on Sept. 25, 2021.
Houston quarterback Donovan Smith completed 85.7% of his passes against #15/13 Oklahoma (24 of 28), the best mark by any quarterback nationally against a team in the AP Top 25 since 2022 (minimum 25 passes attempted). The completion percentage is the best for any Big 12 quarterback this season (min. 20 attempts).
Then-ECU defensive back Teagan Wilk registered a first quarter interception a season ago (Sept. 30) at Rice. As a wideout at Tulsa a season ago, Devan Williams hauled in three catches for 41 yards vs. Rice (Oct. 19). Tulsa teammate Everitt Rogers logged 4.0 tackles a season ago vs. Rice. Then-USC defensive back Latrell McCutchin Sr. logged his first, and only career sack, vs. Rice on Sept. 3, 2022. Then-Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Dakota White started and played 71 snaps at right tackle vs. Rice on Nov. 27, 2021, and played 79 snaps at left tackle against the Owls on Oct. 22, 2022. In 89 combined opportunities across both games, he allowed two QB hits.
Five of Houston's top seven tackles leaders are suiting up in their first season for the Cougars. Four of Houston's top six receiving yardage leaders are competing for the first time for UH. Primary punt returner Mekhi Mews is in his first season with UH after coming over from Georgia while primary kick returner Bryan Massey transferred to UH from SMU.
Houston defensive back Jeremiah Wilson, who registered his second career interception on Saturday at #15/13 Oklahoma, ranks third nationally and tops among Power Four cornerbacks in defensive grade (89.2) and coverage grade (89.9) according to PFF (min. 25 passing snaps). Wilson has been targeted seven times, allowing just two receptions.

SCOUTING RICE

Rice rolled to a 69-7 win over Texas Southern to improve to 1-1 on the season, posting the second-largest margin of victory in school history.
The Owls threw for 3,282 yards last year (4th best) and have posted three of the top seven passing yardage totals in the last three years.
Dean Connors led the Owls with a career-best nine receptions vs. Sam Houston and leads all FBS running backs with 13 through the first two weeks. Connors had 42 receptions last season, the most for a Rice running back since Austin Walter had 44 in 2018 and now has 60 in his career.
Last year, Rice held opponents to 28.1 points and 364.7 yards per game, the lowest totals since 2013 (24.4/364.1).
Quarterback EJ Warner made his Rice debut in 2024, but he enters the season second to Memphis' Seth Henigan in career passing yards and passing touchdowns in conference games among active players. He has thrown for 4,543 yards and 31 touchdowns in two seasons of AAC games; Henigan has 4,764 and 31 TDs over the same span and 6,879 and 47 in three seasons.

LAST TIME AGAINST RICE

Houston used 28 unanswered points, with 21 in the fourth quarter, to storm back and tie the game late to force overtime.
Quarterback Donovan Smith threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards and three touchdowns in the double-overtime 43-41 loss to Rice.
Running back Stacy Sneed rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Snap Houston's five-game losing streak dating to a season ago (Nov. 11, 2023-present).
Be Houston's first in the Head Coach Willie Fritz era and mark Fritz's 248th win of his career.
Move Houston to 34-12 all-time against Rice.
Be the Cougars' 12th win in the last 15 matchups against Rice (2005-present).
Move UH to 16-5 against the Owls at home and be the Cougars' eighth straight home victory vs. Rice (2003-present)

TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for Saturday's cross-town battle and all home Houston Football contests are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
 
STAY CONNECTED 
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Players Mentioned

Keith Cooper Jr.

A.J. Haulcy

Joseph Manjack IV

Bryan Massey

Latrell McCutchin Sr.

Mekhi Mews

Jamal Morris

Everitt Rogers

Donovan Smith

Stacy Sneed

Dakota White

Teagan Wilk

Devan Williams

Jeremiah Wilson

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