Owls of Rice University Knocked off the UAB Blazers

Our upset special this week is brought to you by the Owls of Rice University. They knocked off the UAB Blazers this Saturday as 24-point underdogs. Rice’s offense, surprisingly, led the way in this huge conference upset. They put up 30 points after only averaging 10 per game against FBS competition going into the game. 

Rice (+24) was led by sophomore QB Wiley Green, who played one of the best games of his career. He threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns. The 205 yards is the second best of his career, while the three TDs is the highest. 

The Owls led for almost the entire game. They jumped out to a 13-point lead after two first quarter touchdowns. However, they missed the PAT on the second one which allowed UAB to take the lead after two unanswered touchdowns of their own. This would be the Blazers only lead of the game. Rice added a score on an impressive 80 yard drive late in the second quarter. Green found wide out August Pitre III to take a 20-14 lead, a lead they would never relinquish. 

They added another touchdown in the third quarter on another pass from Green. UAB countered quickly with a 72 yard touchdown pass. After this, both teams were in a stalemate until Rice kicked a field goal with just six minutes left in the game. The Blazers answered with a field goal of their own to keep it a one possession game with three minutes left. 

Rice’s final drive of the game ended with a punt, which gave UAB a chance to tie the game. It seemed like they did on a forty yard pass but it was called back due to a holding penalty. Head Coach Bill Clark protested this vehemently. This led to a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct call due to Clark running into the field. After the penalty, they faced a third and 35 from their own 35 yard line. UAB failed to score before time ran out. 

Rice secured its first win against UAB since 2013 and actually scored for the first time in two road contests. Given the fact Rice came in near the bottom in every statistical category, that makes this the biggest upset of the weekend. Congrats to the Owls and anyone who was crazy enough to put them in your parlay. 

*All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.