PREVIEW: Battle for the Bayou Bucket

HOUSTON – The Houston Football team renews its rivalry with Rice as it takes the 3.9 mile trek, the closest distance between two FBS programs, on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff broadcast on ESPN+.

GAME 2 – RICE

Houston (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) at Rice (1-0, 0-0 American)
Saturday, Sept. 6 | 6 p.m. CT
Rice Stadium | Houston, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: KPRC 950 AM

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

With roster turnover and the transfer portal in just about every conversation these days, Houston returns 33 players from the 2024 squad that played in the 2024 Bayou Bucket Classic, up from 21 a year ago. That list includes nine starters Demetrius Hunter, David Ndukwe, Re'Shaun Sanford II, Jayden York, Stephon Johnson, Latrell McCutchin Sr., Kentrell Webb, Brandon Mack, and Carlos Allen Jr. up from two starters returning a year ago.
Cougar running back Dean Connors is no stranger to Rice Stadium, the former Owl rushed for 867 yards and 9 touchdowns in 19 games at Rice Stadium and caught 63 passes for 598 yards and four touchdowns off University and Main. In 2024, Connors rushed for seven touchdowns inside Rice Stadium on 458 yards.
Houston has scored 31-plus points in 15 consecutive games against Rice (2005-present). In the rivalry's 46 games played, the Cougars have eclipsed 50 points seven times, 60 points five times and 70 points twice, coming in 2009 and 2011.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman became the first UH signal caller to throw 3+ touchdowns and toss 150+ yards with zero interceptions in a season opening team debut in program history. Weigman was one of nine FBS QBs to accomplish the feat in Week 1 of 2025.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

Houston scored 14 points in the first quarter against Rice in 2024, and led by as many as 33 in the game, thanks in part to punt returner Mekhi Mews' 75-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter. The 75-yard return marked the longest punt return for touchdown by a Cougar since 2011. The Cougars have had a punt return for touchdown in five of the last six seasons. Houston is 10-1 when recording a punt return touchdown.
Houston has posted 350+ yards of total offense in every game against Rice dating back to 2007.
In Houston's first game of the season, the Cougars posted the second-best rush-defense grade in the Big 12 (91.9). The Cougars defense held the Lumberjacks to just 39 net rushing yards and was one of five programs nationally to hold its opponent under 40 rushing yards and 0 total touchdowns.
Cornerback Zelmar Vedder and STAR Marc Stampley II posted the second and third best coverage grades in Week 1 with Vedder's 90.2 grading second nationally and Stampley's 89.2 grading third overall.
Saturday's meeting between Houston and Rice is the last scheduled meeting between the two long-time rivals. The next meeting is not yet determined.

SCOUTING RICE

Rice hung on to defeat Louisiana, 14-12, in its season-opener last weekend behind a pair of second-quarter touchdowns.
The Owls are in their first season under Head Coach Scott Abell, who holds a 87-52 career record split between stints at Davidson, Washington & Lee and Rice.
Quinton Jackson led Rice in week one, running for 119 yards on 22 attempts with a touchdown. Overall, the Owls posted 206 yards on the ground while quarterback Chase Jenkins finished 7-for-9 for 45 yards.

LAST TIME AGAINST RICE

Houston reclaimed the Bayou Bucket with a 33-7 rout in last year's Classic at TDECU Stadium, it's eighth win in the last ten meetings.
Donovan Smith helped lead the way for Houston, finishing with a 12-for-21 passing line for 142 yards and a touchdown. He also added 36 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.
After Stacy Sneed got Houston on the board with a 65-yard scramble late in the first, Mekhi Mews immediately followed up with a 75-yard punt return touchdown to put Houston up two scores after one quarter of play.
Owl-turned-now-Cougar Dean Connors scored Rice's lone touchdown of the game in garbage time, hitting paydirt on a four-yard run with 1:08 remaining in the game.

A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ...

Move Houston to 35-12 against Rice and give the Cougars back-to-back Bayou Bucket Classic wins for the first time since winning seven straight from 2011-22.
Move Houston to 2-0 to start a season for the first time since 2018 (finished 8-5 with a Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl appearance) and fifth time starting 2-0 since 2015.
Be the Cougars' 13th win in the last 16 matchups against Rice (2005-present)
Move Willie Fritz to 3-0 against Rice.

SEASON TICKETS
University of Houston Football season tickets are on sale for the 2025 season. For as low as $150, fans can get in on the excitement of Year 2 of the Head Coach Willie Fritz era with pivotal matchups against Colorado, Texas Tech, Arizona, West Virginia and TCU. To purchase season tickets, click here.

TWO-GAME MINI PLAN
Want some flexibility? Buy a two-game mini-plan which includes the Colorado game and one game of your choice between Arizona, West Virginia or TCU. Mini plans start at just $85. To purchase a mini-plan, click here.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
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STAY CONNECTED
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Players Mentioned

Carlos Allen Jr.

Dean Connors

Demetrius Hunter

Stephon Johnson

Latrell McCutchin Sr.

Mekhi Mews

David Ndukwe

Re’Shaun Sanford II

Donovan Smith

Stacy Sneed

Marc Stampley II

Zelmar Vedder

Kentrell Webb

Conner Weigman

Jayden York

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