Rice rolls up 465 yards on ground in 31-3 win over Houston Christian

HOUSTON -- — 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. Champ Dozier led the Huskies (1-1) with 86 yards rushing. Houston Christian had six drives reach Rice territory but only managed Lukasz Smolen's 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Up next Rice: at Notre Dame on Saturday Houston Christian: vs. Arkansas Baptist on Saturday —- Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here