CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chase Jenkins accounted for two touchdowns and Rice’s defense racked up six sacks as the Owls pulled away for a 28-17 victory over Charlotte in the American Conference opener Thursday night  .

Jenkins threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Drayden Dickmann in the first quarter and added a 34-yard scoring run late in the second, helping Rice (3-1, 1-0 American) overcome three first-half field goals by Charlotte’s Liam Boyd. Daelen Alexander paced the ground game with 73 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard plunge that made it 28-9 early in the fourth  .

Charlotte (1-3, 0-1) struggled to sustain drives despite outgaining Rice through the air. Quarterback Grayson Loftis was sacked six times but connected with Javen Nicholas for a 31-yard touchdown with 7:27 left. Nicholas finished with five catches for 93 yards, but the 49ers were held to just 75 net rushing yards  .

Rice leaned on a balanced rushing attack, totaling 255 yards at 5.5 yards per carry, while its defense forced two fumbles and held Charlotte scoreless in the third quarter. Linebacker Myron Daley led the effort with 2.5 sacks as the Owls opened conference play with a road win.