SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 25, 2014
Rice 41, North Texas 21: Driphus Jackson threw for 233 yards and a touchdown as the Owls dominated the second half and dispatched the visiting Mean Green.
Jordan Taylor caught four passes for 137 yards and a score while Jowan Davis ran for a pair of TDs for Rice (4-3, 2-1 C-USA), which has won four straight. Darik Dillard added 80 yards and a score on the ground and the defense forced two key turnovers as the Owls outscored North Texas 27-0 after the break.
Andrew McNulty completed 15-of-33 for 186 yards, one TD and one interception for the Mean Green (2-6, 0-4). Carlos Harris, who set career highs with 15 catches and 216 yards in a loss to Southern Miss last week, was held to three receptions for 65 yards and a score while adding a TD on the ground.
Jackson and Taylor connected on an 88-yard TD pass on the first play of the game and Davis’ 10-yard scoring run later in the first quarter gave Rice a 14-7 lead. Darvin Kidsy returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for the tying score, and Harris’ 1-yard burst in the second quarter gave North Texas a 21-14 advantage at the half.
Harris fumbled the opening kickoff of the third quarter and the Owls turned it into a 27-yard field goal before Ryan Pollard intercepted McNulty on the next possession and returned it 60 yards for the go-ahead score. Dillard and Davis each ran for a TD in the fourth quarter as Rice put it away.