SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 21, 2013
Houston
31, Rice 26: Freshman John O'Korn threw for 281 yards and three
touchdown passes in his first collegiate start, leading the visiting Cougars
to a victory over the Owls to win the Bayou Bucket.
Deontay Greenberry went over the
100-yard mark for the second straight game, catching six balls for
146 yards and a score to lead Houston (3-0). Ryan Jackson had 144
all-purpose yards, with 87 yards on the ground and 57 receiving
yards.
Turner Petersen had five catches
for 102 yards for Rice (1-2). Taylor McHargue finished 21-of-36 for
232 yards and an interception and also rushed for 14 yards
and a score.
Rice jumped on top just 2:26
into the game on a 57-yard pass from running back Luke Turner to
Petersen, though the extra-point kick was blocked. The Cougars
responded with a quick four-play, 75-yard drive in just over a
minute, capped by Jackson's 1-yard touchdown run.
After Charles Ross scored midway
through the first quarter to put the Owls up 13-7, Houston scored 24
straight points, with O'Korn completing scoring passes to Daniel
Spencer, Greenberry and Jackson. A McHargue 1-yard rushing touchdown
and a blocked field goal returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Alex
Lyons pulled Rice within five, but after recovering an onside kick
with 2:19 to play, the Owls turned the ball over on downs trying to
drive for the go-ahead score.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Greenberry tied
his career-high with a 61-yard catch in the first quarter. … Ross
was held to 55 yards on nine carries one week after he had a
career-high 157 yards against Kansas. … Houston
now leads the overall series between the two schools 29-11.