Rice University on upset win over UH: 'The Bayou Bucket is coming home'

In a stunning upset, the Rice Owls football team emerged victorious against the University of Houston (UH) Cougars, reclaiming the prized Bayou Bucket after eight attempts. The game, which took place on September 2, saw the Owls triumph in double overtime with a score of 43-41, as reported by the Associated Press and Houston CBS affiliate KHOU News.

Quarterback JT Daniels played a pivotal role in the Owls' triumph, throwing for an impressive 401 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Daelen Alexander also contributed significantly, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. This victory marked a momentous occasion for Rice, as they had recently joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

The Bayou Bucket game, now in its 45th edition, witnessed its second-ever overtime encounter. From the outset, the Owls dominated the match, taking a commanding 21-0 lead over the Cougars by the beginning of the second quarter. Despite a second-half comeback attempt by UH, Rice's resilience prevailed throughout the two overtime periods.

This victory ended a seven-game losing streak for Rice against their crosstown rivals and brought immense joy to the Owls faithful. The jubilation was evident as fans clad in blue and grey rushed onto the field to celebrate the long-awaited win.

Looking ahead, Rice is scheduled to face another local opponent, Texas Southern University (TSU), on September 16. As the Owls bask in the glory of their triumph over UH, they will be eager to sustain their winning momentum and continue their success in the upcoming game.

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• Per an Associated Press report ran by Houston CBS affiliate KHOU News, Owls quarterback JT Daniels threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns and running back Daelen Alexander chipped in three of his own on the ground to help Rice, which had just joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC), upset their crosstown rivals in the 45th contest between them.

  UH is also in its first year in a new conference, the Big 12 Conference, one of the Power Five conferences in college football.

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• The AP reported that it was the second time Daniels turned in a 400-passing-yard game, the first time having been against Mississippi State on Nov. 21, 2020.

  Rice’s rare victory over the Cougars snapped a seven-game skid and gave the Owls faithful their money’s month.

  Additionally, it was the second time since the programs began playing for the Bayou Bucket a game required an overtime.

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• The Owls wasted no time in imposing its will on UH, busting out of the gate to a 21-0 lead over their visitors by the start of the second quarter, the AP reported.

  A second-half rally by UH threatened Rice’s chances at the upset, but the home team held steady through the two overtimes, snuffing out a potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt to prompt blue and grey clad fans in the stands to storm the field in celebration, according to the AP.

  Rice is slated to take on another crosstown school in Texas Southern University (TSU) on Sept. 16.

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