HOUSTON (AP) — Led by Tyvonn Byars with 104 yards, Rice rode a 465-yard rushing effort to a 31-3 victory over FCS opponent Houston Christian on Saturday in the first meeting between the two teams from Houston.

The Owls (1-0) ran the ball 70 times and attempted only 10 passes. Quarterbacks Jacurri Brown and Gael Ochoa were both 2-for-5 passing with a combined total of 28 yards. Brown added 98 yards rushing and Ochoa had 34 yards which included a 29-yard touchdown run.

Rice led 17-3 at halftime and Houston Christian kept it relatively close until the fourth quarter. The Owls broke it open in the fourth with Quinton Jackson's 12-yard touchdown run followed by Ochoa's TD.

Jackson also had a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.