LAFAYETTE, La. — Quinton Jackson ran for 119 yards and a touchdown, and Rice gave new head coach Scott Abell a victorious debut by grinding out a 14-12 win over Louisiana on Saturday night at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

The Owls (1-0) relied on a relentless rushing attack, piling up 206 yards on the ground and holding the ball for more than 36 minutes. Jackson’s 1-yard scoring plunge early in the second quarter gave Rice its first lead, and Aaron Turner broke loose for a 17-yard touchdown run later in the period to push the margin to 14-3. That was all the offense the Owls needed.

Louisiana (0-1) fought back, pulling within two late in the third quarter on quarterback Walker Howard’s 25-yard touchdown run. But his two-point conversion pass fell incomplete, leaving Rice clinging to a 14-12 edge. From there, the Owls’ defense delivered. Louisiana took over on the Rice 5 in the final two minutes, but the Cajuns were stuffed on fourth down with 57 seconds left. Rice then ran out the clock to secure the win.

Quarterback Chase Jenkins was efficient for Rice, completing 7 of 9 passes for 45 yards while avoiding mistakes. Daelen Alexander added 74 rushing yards, while Drayden Dickmann had 44 receiving yards.

Rice’s defense stifled the Cajuns’ passing game, intercepting Howard once and sacking him three times. Linebacker Andrew Awe had seven tackles, while Joseph Mutombo, Michael Daley and Tony Anyanwu each recorded sacks.

Howard finished with 88 passing yards for Louisiana, adding 47 rushing yards and the touchdown. Shelton Sampson Jr. caught four passes for 59 yards, and kicker Tony Sterner made field goals from 47 and 51 yards.

For Abell, who was hired in December after leading Davidson, the victory marked his first win at the FBS level — and a gritty defensive stand to close it out.