Football Earns First Victory Under Willie Fritz with 33-7 Romp Over Rice

Saturday, September 14

Houston, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Houston

1-2 , 0-0

Rice

1-2 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rice

Houston

Football Earns First Victory Under Willie Fritz with 33-7 Romp Over Rice

9/14/2024 10:46:00 PM | Football

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Cougars score four 20+ yard touchdowns in rout

HOUSTON (AP) – University of Houston senior quarterback Donovan Smith threw for 142 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, and junior running back Stacy Sneed rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown as the Cougars earned their first win under Head Coach Willie Fritz, beating crosstown rival Rice 33-7 inside TDECU Stadium on Saturday night.

Sneed rushed around right end for a 65-yard touchdown with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter, and junior wide receiver Mekhi Mews returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes later.

After Houston senior linebacker Michael Batton recovered a muffed Rice punt, Smith, who finished 12-of-21, found junior wide receiver Stephon Johnson for a 44-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter as Houston took a 20-0 lead into halftime.

Smith rushed for touchdowns covering 1 and 37 yards in the second half. Redshirt-freshman running back Re'Shaun Sanford II rushed for 71 yards for Houston. The Cougars (1-2) outgained Rice 379-159 yards.

E.J. Warner finished 12-of-21 passing for 50 yards with an interception for Rice (1-2). Dean Connors rushed for 32 yards and had a 4-yard touchdown run.

THE TAKEAWAY
Rice: The Owls, who entered with a nation-best 11 sacks, had three sacks and nine tackles for loss overall. Rice went 2 for 13 on third downs.

Houston: The Cougars finally got going offensively after scoring 19 points over its first two games.

UP NEXT
The Cougars open their Big 12 schedule when they meet Cincinnati at 11 a.m. (CDT), Saturday, inside Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. That game will air on FS1 and can be heard on 950 AM KPRC.

Houston returns to TDECU Stadium when it plays host to Iowa State on Sept. 28

Tickets for that game and all home Football contests are available by calling 713-462-6647 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, or by clicking here at any time.

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