Rice Owls News

No. 3 Notre Dame and Michigan St. ready to revive their historic rivalry after nearly a decade off

No. 3 Notre Dame and Michigan State have a storied rivalry without a recent chapter

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

2026 College Football Rankings: Texas Takes No. 1 After Win Over Ohio State

Joel Klatt said he didn't want to spend this much time on one game. But after Texas and Ohio State played what he called an instant classic...

4 DAYS AGO • FOX SPORTS

2026 College Football Rankings: Texas Takes No. 1 After Win Over Ohio State

Jacurri Brown - Held in check by Notre Dame Brown was 8-for-12 passing for 64 yards during Saturday's 52-0 defeat versus Notre Dame. He also had 16 rushes for 32 yards.

Impact Brown couldn't lead a scoring drive as the Owls were shut out by one of the country's top teams. The quarterback played out the entire game despite the blowout and capped his afternoon off by fumbling during the team's final offensive possession in the fourth quarter. The entire offense couldn't get anything to go against Notre Dame after the triple-option attack worked to perfection in Week 1. Brown led the team with 16 carries and 32 rushing yards, aiming to bounce back against Western Michigan in Week 3.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

James Falk - Inactive Week 2 Falk (undisclosed) did not appear in Saturday's 52-0 loss against Notre Dame.

Impact Falk remained out for a second-straight game as the Owls were routed by the Fighting Irish in Week 2. The 6-foot-6 redshirt junior, who tallied three receptions for 30 yards last season with Rice, will have his next chance to suit up against Western Michigan in Week 3.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Preston Zinter - Unable to play against old team Zinter (leg) did not play Saturday's 52-0 loss at Notre Dame.

Impact According to Mike Berardino of the South Bend Tribune, who reports for Notre Dame, Zinter was seen wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg, its injury the likely reason why he did not play Week 2. With multiple tight ends out for Rice, now would be a good time for him to be available, but it is unknown when he will return from injury.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

C.J. Carr throws for 4 touchdowns as No. 3 Notre Dame routs visiting Rice 52-0

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

How to Watch Rice vs Notre Dame: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel The No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0) play their home opener on Saturday when the Rice Owls (1-0) come to South Bend for the first time...

6 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

No. 3 Notre Dame faces familiar triple-option offense when it returns home to face Rice

Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry recognizes Rice’s triple-option offense

SEPTEMBER 10 • Associated Press

Quinton Jackson - Sustains significant injury Jackson (undisclosed) is dealing with a "significant" injury according to head coach Scott Abell, per Steve Helwick of SB Nation.

Impact Jackson had a very strong opener for the Owls, notching 10 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns. However, the tailback also sustained what appears to be a serious injury, and there's no telling at this point how severe it is or when he might return. In Jackson's stead, expect more touches for D'Andre Hardeman and Tyvonn Byars.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

D'Andre Hardeman Jr. - Scores in win vs. Houston Christian Hardeman compiled 11 rushes for 77 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 31-3 win versus Houston Christian.

Impact Hardeman was one of three running backs to score Saturday, punching in a two-yard touchdown for the first score of the Owls' season. Last season with Rice, he backed up Quinton Jackson and had a productive campaign, rushing for 325 yards and two touchdowns on 82 attempts. The running back room appears to be a three-headed attack with Jackson, Hardeman, and Tyvonn Byars looking to lead the offense this season, though the team's matchup against Notre Dame next Saturday raises questions about whether they will continue to split the workload.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Tyvonn Byars - Leads backfield in win Byars recorded 16 carries for 104 yards during Saturday's 31-3 victory versus Houston Christian.

Impact Byars reached the century mark in the Owls' season opener along with a team-high 16 rushing attempts. The triple-threat option worked in Rice's favor as the team rushed for 464 total yards against Houston Christian. Byars emerged as the top rusher, but Quinton Jackson still figures to be a focal point of the backfield moving forward. Even so, he should still see a steady share of carries against Notre Dame next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Quinton Jackson - Two rushing touchdowns in win Jackson recorded 10 rushes for 61 yards and two touchdowns and caught their only target for six yards during Saturday's 31-3 victory over Houston Christian.

Impact Jackson is coming off a breakout season where he had 180 rushing attempts for 889 yards and six touchdowns with Rice. The running back decided to return to the program and scored twice in his season debut. The Owls took the lead early and never looked back, producing 464 total rushing yards to allow Jackson a light workload as he logged only 11 carries. The experienced back is poised for a heavy workload against a Notre Dame defense next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Gael Ochoa - Scores touchdown in blowout Ochoa completed 2 of 5 passes for 17 yards during Saturday's 31-3 victory versus Houston Christian. He also had four rushes for 34 yards with one touchdown.

Impact Ochoa played snaps under center early in the second quarter and late in the fourth, entering to give starter Jacurri Brown a break after carrying a heavy workload on the ground and due to the nature of the blowout. He recorded his first career touchdown on a 29-yard rush and seemingly has claimed the backup role for Rice after entering the season expected to be deep in the quarterback room.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Jacurri Brown - Tallies 98 rushing yards in opener Brown completed 2 of 5 passes for 11 yards during Saturday's 31-3 victory over Houston Christian. He also had 13 rushes for 98 yards.

Impact Brown was named Rice's starting quarterback early in the spring, and in his debut, he worked well within the triple-option offense. He rushed for 98 yards and recorded the second-most attempts on the team with 14. His fantasy appeal will come on the ground, as the Owls' offense rarely utilizes the passing game, and he will aim to lead the team against Notre Dame in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Braylen Walker - Sees action in Week 1 Walker (undisclosed) logged 44 snaps during Saturday's 31-3 win against Houston Christian.

Impact Walker played the majority of the Owls' offensive snaps Saturday and was only targeted once, since the triple-threat offense worked in their favor once again. The wideout will presumably have limited targets in the passing game this season and most of his work in the offense will be in the run-blocking department.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Rice rolls up 465 yards on ground in 31-3 win over Houston Christian

Led by Tyvonn Byars with 104 yards, Rice rode a 465-yard rushing effort to a 31-3 victory over FCS opponent Houston Christian in the first meeting between the two teams from Housto...

SEPTEMBER 6 • Associated Press

How to watch Sacred Heart vs Monmouth: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel Sacred Heart is looking for its first win of the season on Saturday against Monmouth, who will begin its college football season trying to g...

SEPTEMBER 5 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

How to watch Lawrence Tech vs Valparaiso: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel Lawrence Tech makes the short trip to Indiana on Saturday afternoon to face Valparaiso in a Week 0 matchup that opens the 2026 season for bo...

AUGUST 29 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

How to watch Louisiana Christian vs Northwestern State: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel Louisiana Christian opens its 2026 season with a challenging road test against Northwestern State on Thursday night in Natchitoches, Louisia...

AUGUST 27 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

London follows Dublin as college football host city. Are more European locations in game plan?

Brian Dubiski is bringing major college football to London for the first time next month

AUGUST 25 • Associated Press

Jacurri Brown - Gets named starting quarterback Brown has been named Rice's starting quarterback for the 2026 season, Pete Thamel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Brown transferred into Rice from UCF this offseason, and he'll end up with his first starting quarterback gig at the college level. The incoming redshirt senior's best season came in 2024 when he totaled 799 yards and five touchdowns with the Knights. He beat out Lucas Scheerhorn for the QB1 gig for the Owls.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Barry Jackson Jr. - Transfers to Rice Jackson will transfer to Rice, the program announced.

Impact Jackson spent three seasons at Cincinnati, but got less involved the more time he spent with the program. His best year came in 2023, when he reeled in four catches for 100 yards and a score. In 2025, he failed to reel in his lone target. He'll now take his talents -- and two years of eligibility -- to Rice.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Jacurri Brown - Lands with Rice Brown will transfer to Rice, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

Impact Brown was limited to three games this season for UCF, completing 3-of-5 passes for 97 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The former blue-chip recruit's best season came in 2024 with the Knights when he totaled 799 yards and five touchdowns. With one more year of eligibility, he'll look to help elevate the Rice offense.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Aaron Turner - Huge volume, limited output Turner recorded 10 receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown during Friday's 41-10 loss versus Texas State. He added six carries for 29 yards.

Impact Turner hit the 10-reception threshold for the first time this season, but he failed to reach 25 receiving yards. He had more success as a rusher, but 53 total yards on 16 touches isn't exactly great efficiency. The senior set career bests in receptions (63), receiving touchdowns (4), rushing yards (259) and rushing touchdowns (3) this season. He logged 398 receiving yards.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Quinton Jackson - Bounces back in bowl game Jackson accrued 16 carries for 78 yards during Friday's 41-10 defeat to Texas State.

Impact Jackson ended the regular season with a dud, rushing twice for a total of three yards. He handled more of a typical workload Friday, but he failed to find the end zone. He'll end the 2025 season having accumulated 180 rushing attempts for 889 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

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No. 3 Notre Dame and Michigan St. ready to revive their historic rivalry after nearly a decade off

2026 College Football Rankings: Texas Takes No. 1 After Win Over Ohio State

C.J. Carr throws for 4 touchdowns as No. 3 Notre Dame routs visiting Rice 52-0

No. 3 Notre Dame faces familiar triple-option offense when it returns home to face Rice

Rice rolls up 465 yards on ground in 31-3 win over Houston Christian

London follows Dublin as college football host city. Are more European locations in game plan?