Memphis, TN – In an intense showdown at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the Rice Owls faced off against the Memphis Tigers in a hard-fought battle, ultimately falling short with a final score of 27-20 in favor of Memphis. The game, attended by 23,692 fans, showcased spirited performances from both teams, particularly in the second quarter where the momentum shifted significantly.
The Rice Owls opened the scoring in the first quarter with two field goals by kicker Tim Horn, securing an early 6-0 lead. Horn’s precise kicks from 25 and 28 yards gave the Owls confidence and set the tone for the game. However, Memphis quickly responded in the second quarter, taking advantage of key offensive drives that turned the tide. Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan connected with Brendan Doyle for a 9-yard touchdown, and Mario Anderson Jr. followed up with a powerful 10-yard rushing touchdown, giving Memphis a 14-6 lead. A quick drive by Rice, capped by a 27-yard touchdown pass from E.J. Warner to Matt Sykes, brought Rice closer at 13-14, but Memphis added a field goal before halftime, pushing their lead to 17-13.
In the fourth quarter, Memphis extended their lead with a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Brandon Thomas and a 42-yard field goal by Tristian Vandenberg, making it 27-13. Rice responded with a late touchdown when Warner found Elijah Mojarro in the end zone for a 5-yard pass, closing the gap to 27-20. Despite their efforts, Rice was unable to overcome the deficit in the final minutes.
The game saw standout performances from both teams. Warner led Rice’s offense, completing 29 of 45 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Sykes contributed significantly with six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. For Memphis, Anderson Jr. was a key playmaker, rushing 25 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, while Henigan added 159 passing yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Chandler Martin of Memphis made a strong impact with 11 tackles, while Blake Boenisch led Rice with 10 tackles. Both teams demonstrated strong defensive efforts, with Rice managing an interception by Sean Fresch and a sack by Ty Morris.
With this victory, Memphis improved to an 8-2 record (4-2 conference), strengthening their position in the standings. Rice, now 3-7 (2-4 conference), displayed resilience and skill, proving a challenging competitor throughout the game.
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