Rice
Owls

"It's something we can build on," Bailiff told the Houston Chronicle.

Sophomore quarterback Nick Fanuzzi had his best game of the season, going without an interception and throwing three touchdown passes. Junior wide receiver Patrick Randolph and sophomore defensive back Travis Bradshaw also had career days.

Any momentum built over the final three weeks should be enough to carry over to next season. Despite the snowball effect of the losses, the Owls have not given up the fight.

And with so many starters set to return next season, it's unlikely the current slide will carry over to 2010.

--WR Toren Dixon extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 35. He caught seven passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.

GAME BALL GOES TO: WR Patrick Randolph -- The junior had career day with two touchdowns, the second time this season he has caught more than one touchdown pass in a game. He scored on catches of 11 and 33 yards, and had eight catches for a total of 93 yards.

KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Charles Ross -- One of five true freshmen in the lineup Saturday, Ross made his second start of the season. Ross was instrumental in helping the Owls establish the run to open up the passing game. He had the bulk of Rice's rushing yardage -- 50 yards on 12 carries -- and scored the Owls' only touchdown on the ground.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You could feel there was momentum on offense. I felt like we were in control of the game, felt like we were the better team, but it comes down to finishing everything. We were so close." -- Rice quarterback Nick Fanuzzi

STILL NEEDS WORK: The kicking game was a huge letdown for Rice. SMU blocked two field goal attempts, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Mustangs also blocked an extra pint, ending Clark Fangmeier's string of successful point-after attempts at 100. While the Rice passing game was effective, the ground game was hampered by fumbles. The Owls fumbled the ball away three times and generated only 77 yards on 30 carries.

ROSTER REPORT:

--DB Kevin Gaddis, a true freshman, made his first career start Saturday and was the 22nd Rice player this season to start their first game. Gaddis had two tackles and an interception.

--RB Marcus Knox made his first career start. Rice opened in the "Wildcat" formation, giving the senior the ball on a direct snap. The 4-yard gain was his only carry of the game.