Rice Owls Outflanked by UAB Blazers in Week 13 Showdown
The Rice Owls, with a season record of 3-8, faced off against the UAB Blazers, also holding a record of 3-8, in a week 13 matchup that saw the home team emerge victorious with a score of 40-14. The game unfolded at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, marking another chapter in the season for both teams.
Owls' Efforts on Offense
The Rice Owls' offense had moments of brilliance but struggled to consistently break through the Blazers' defense. Quarterback E.J. Warner completed 28 out of 49 attempts for a total of 222 yards, including one touchdown pass and three interceptions. Despite these efforts, Warner's performance was overshadowed by turnovers that ultimately hindered the team's ability to maintain momentum.
On the ground, running back Dean Connors led with determination and agility, rushing for 62 yards on 16 attempts and scoring one touchdown. His performance highlighted his role as a key player in attempting to navigate through the Blazers' defensive line.
Defensive Highlights and Special Teams
Defensively, safety Gabriel Taylor stood out for the Owls with two tackles and an impressive forced fumble which showcased his defensive prowess and ability to disrupt UAB's offensive strategies. However, despite efforts from players like Ty Morris who contributed four tackles including one for loss and Andrew Awe who assisted on four tackles himself, the defense was unable to contain UAB's scoring drives effectively.
Special teams saw punter Alex Bacchetta averaging over forty yards across three punts with one landing inside the twenty-yard line - demonstrating strategic field positioning that unfortunately wasn't capitalized upon by Rice.
Looking Ahead
As they turn their focus forward, The Rice Owls are set to host South Florida Bulls at Rice Stadium in Houston on November 30th at 2:00 PM EDT. Fans eager to support their team can catch all live action broadcasted on ESPN+. This upcoming game presents an opportunity for Rice to refine their strategies both offensively and defensively as they aim to close out their season on a high note.
We encourage fans not only to attend upcoming games but also share this recap among fellow supporters as we rally behind The Owls for their next challenge.