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Parachutist briefly hangs above end zone during Armed Forces Bowl pregame mishap

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 20:08:00 -0500

A typically routine pregame parachuting stunt went awry at Friday’s Armed Forces Bowl.

A parachutist appeared to briefly get entangled in the netting and support wiring near an end zone shortly before Texas State and Rice kicked off. After being momentarily suspended in the air, he fell to the ground between the end zone turf and the stadium seating area.

The parachutist was able to leave the area without assistance. Bowl game organizers later confirmed he was not seriously injured.

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No injuries to fans were reported.

Six members of the All Veteran Group parachuting team were trying to land before the annual bowl game in Forth Worth, Texas, got underway. While four of the parachutists landed safely, one skydiver had to change course and another skydiver veered toward the netting.

OREGON SHUTS OUT TEXAS TECH TO WIN ORANGE BOWL BEHIND DOMINANT DEFENSIVE OUTING

"He got up, grabbed his parachute and walked off," Armed Forces Bowl spokesperson Drew Harris told The Athletic.

According to the National Weather Service, winds of about 12 mph were reported near Amon G. Carter Stadium around the time of the incident. High winds may have contributed to the parachutist coming into contact with the netting. The parachutist’s personal details were not immediately released.

The All Veteran Group was formed in 2011. The group previously performed a jump at the same bowl game four years ago. Carolina Panthers pregame festivities at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte typically feature the group as part of the parachute team for USAA.

Despite the skydiving mishap, a scheduled F-35 flyover still went on without issue.

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The incident did not delay the start of the game, and Texas State defeated Rice 41-10.

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College football team entices students with free beer, ice cream ahead of big game

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:51:40 -0500

Rice University is pulling out of all the stops to ensure it has a packed stadium for its game against No. 22-ranked North Texas Saturday night.

Rice is offering free 12-ounce beers for students 21 and older at a stand near their stadium, a free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream voucher, a free T-shirt for the first 500 students and a $15 voucher for two food trucks. All the perks require a student ID.

Rice announced the student perks in a post to X, which has since been deleted, but Fox News Digital confirmed the promotion is still ongoing.

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To further encourage attendance, the residential college with the highest attendance can win a $500 gift card to a local grocery store and a speaker.

The game is a big one. Rice enters the matchup at 5-5 and, with a win, would become eligible for a bowl game. This is the team’s fourth straight home game, and it has gone 1-2 in its previous three.

PENN STATE COMMITS VISITING VIRGINIA TECH AFTER JAMES FRANKLIN BECOMES HEAD COACH

The Owls lost to UConn 37-34 in overtime, lost to Memphis 38-14 and beat UAB last week 24-17 to get back to .500. To get an all-important sixth win of the season, they will have to take down a 9-1 North Texas team that has won four in a row.

North Texas’ lone loss of the season came in October to South Florida, when they lost 63-36. Rice will play South Florida on the road next week.

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Rice is hoping a boisterous student section will help propel it to victory over North Texas in its final home game of the season.

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Rice cornerback ejected from game after punching player, pushing ref

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 10:46:08 -0400

Rice Owls cornerback Khary Crump was ejected during the team’s loss against the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday night.

Crump was trying to make a stop on defense with the rest of his teammates when he was seen throwing a punch while in the pile on the field. As the officials tried to break the play up, Crump was seen pushing one official. It led to his ejection.

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The Houston Christian transfer apologized for his actions in a post on X.

"I apologize Rice nation I let you down," Crump wrote. "For you guys to open arms and give me another opportunity is all I can ask. My actions this game unacceptable but not ill intent me swinging in the pile was try get the ball out.

"I did not realize that was ref grabbing me until it was done."

Crump had two tackles before he was kicked out of the game.

He joined Rice as a graduate transfer. The California native started his collegiate career at Arizona before playing one season each at Michigan State and Houston Christian. He had 14 total tackles and six pass breakups this season.

TENSIONS FLARE IN RED RIVER RIVALRY, SPARKING OKLAHOMA-TEXAS PLAYERS' PREGAME SCUFFLE

UTSA clobbered Rice, 61-13. Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown had three touchdown passes in the first half. He was 15-of-21 with 236 passing yards in the game. Running back Will Henderson III had 115 rushing yards on five carries and two touchdowns.

Rice’s running attack helped Daelen Alexander record 129 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game.

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UTSA improved to 3-3 on the season. Rice fell to 3-4.

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Navy sends message to bettors following football team's loss to Rice: 'We do not care'

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 13:26:22 -0500

Navy lost to Rice on Saturday, 24-10

JT Daniels, once highly sought-after QB recruit, transfers to fourth school: report

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 06:08:22 -0500

J.T. Daniels has reportedly found his fourth collegiate team.

Daniels, who played 10 games for West Virginia last season, will transfer to Rice to likely finish out his long journey in the college football ranks, ESPN reported Tuesday.

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The Owls were 5-8 last season and finished the year with a 38-24 loss to Southern Miss in the LendingTree Bowl. Rice averaged 25.2 points per game, which was good for 87th in the nation out of 131 schools. Daniels was reportedly keen on the offensive style of head coach Mike Bloomgren and offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo.

Daniels was the national high school player of the year before he joined USC his freshman year in 2018. He played in 11 games and had 2,672 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes. He would tear his ACL at the start of the 2019 season and would be replaced as the starter by Kedon Slovis. He then entered the transfer portal.

ROWDY BEERS' EPIC NAME SENDS COLLEGE FOOTBALL FANS INTO FRENZY AS HE COMMITS TO FIU

Daniels made his way to Georgia in 2020 and eventually worked his way up to become a starter. He would start the 2021 season as the starting quarter, but an injury left him out and thrust Stetson Bennett into the role. Daniels would last play for the Bulldogs on senior day of that season and transfer once more.

At West Virginia last season, Daniels had 2,107 passing yards and 13 touchdown passes in 10 games. The Mountaineers finished 5-7.

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Rice’s recruiting class is projected to be one of the best in school history. The team starts the 2023 season against Texas.

Southern Miss' Frank Gore Jr breaks bowl game rushing record, aunt crashes interview

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 09:06:47 -0500

Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr. ended the 2022 season on the highest of notes.

The son of legendary NFL running back Frank Gore ran for a bowl-game record 329 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as the Golden Eagles held off the Rice Owls 38-24 at the LendingTree Bowl on Saturday night.

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He broke the mark set by Appalachian State’s Camerun Peoples in the 2020 Myrtle Beach. He also broke the Southern Miss record of 304 set by Sam Dejarnette in 1982.

"He’s a special guy," Southern Miss coach Will Hall said after the game. "He’s really learned how to be a leader. He’s really learned how to handle the responsibility of being Frank Gore Jr., and he has embraced that, and he’s embraced the whole deal of to whom much is given, much is required.

"He’s always intense and competitive and I’m just really proud he was able to have a performance like this on a national stage where a lot of people could see it. He’s got a chip on his shoulder like his short coach does."

DEION SANDERS RUN AT JACKSON STATE ENDS IN DEFEAT, TIGERS DROP STRAIGHT CELEBRATION BOWL IN OT THRILLER

After the game, Gore was talking to ESPN reporters when his auntie came down to celebrate with him and his teammates.

"Auntie, chill," he told the woman.

After the video went viral on social media, Gore tweeted after the game, "I love my auntie to death."

Gore said his father was at the game and met him on the field before the trophy presentation. His father had a career-high 212 yards in a single game with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006.

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"I told him (about the record) when he came on the field and let him know that I’m the best in the family," Gore Jr. said. "Thanks to my O-line, they opened up a lot of good holes and got me into the secondary. As coach (Hall) said, the first person could rarely tackle me. And if you’re able to get down the field untouched, that leads to a lot of big plays."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sasser scores 26, No. 15 Houston beats Rice 79-46

Sat, 13 Nov 2021 10:16:37 -0500

Marcus Sasser scored 26 points, Kyler Edwards added 18 points and six rebounds, and No. 15 Houston routed Rice 79-45 on Friday night.

Sasser finished 8 of 16 from the field and connected on 5 of 9 on 3-pointers as the Cougars (2-0) jumped out to a 44-15 halftime lead. Sasser scored 16 points in the first half.

"Marcus, Taze (Moore) and Kyler, the more they play together, the better they will get," Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. "It’s just our second game. We’re going to get better as we go, and we’re going to need to. We had a good game tonight, obviously. Guarding Rice’s actions, we knew what to do there, but that’s a credit to our staff."

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Houston forced Rice (1-1) into 20 turnovers, which the Cougars turned into 34 points. The Cougars shot 41% and were 10 of 30 on 3-pointers in extending their home winning streak to 27 games.

"You saw our culture come into play tonight," Sampson said. "How hard we play, our defense, our toughness, our rebounding."

Travis Evee scored 11 points and Cameron Sheffield had 10 points to lead Rice. The Owls struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 5 of 25, including 3 of 17 on 3-pointers. Rice shot 28% and made 8 of 31 3-pointers overall.

"They were well-prepared, ready to play," Rice coach Scott Pera said. "They got us early. We couldn’t dig out of the hole. Against good teams on the road, that’s hard to do. I thought they shot it well. They did what they do defensively. They really pushed us out high on the floor, made our catches high and shots really quick.

"I thought that would be the game plan, and I thought we would have handled it better, having some veteran guards. They didn’t handle it like I had hoped, obviously, and things got away from us, and then it got ugly."

Houston used runs of 8-0, 14-0 and 9-0 to open up a 37-10 lead on a 3-pointer by Sasser with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

BIG PICTURE

Rice: The Owls have lost 25 straight games against ranked opponents and fell to 2-50 on the road against foes in the AP Top 25. Rice, which was picked to finish eighth in Conference USA, was overmatched, especially inside.

"They pretty much did what they wanted to do all night," Pera said. "We didn’t have much resistance. We didn’t have much attack on offense to get what we wanted. When things snowball like that against a good team … we couldn’t handle the punches early and the knockout was early."

Houston: The Cougars took care of the ball, committing seven turnovers, and held a 32-12 advantage in points in the paint. Houston had a 42-39 rebounding edge, including 16 offensive rebounds, and finished with six blocks and 13 steals.

"We work on guarding actions," Sampson said. "We just executed the game plan flawlessly. We frustrated them. They couldn’t get into the paint with the dribble."

SERIES HISTORY

Houston improved to 65-18 in the series with the crosstown Owls and has won the last seven.

MOVING UP THE CHARTS

Sampson moved past Gary Williams into 37th place in NCAA history with 668 victories.

UP NEXT

Rice: Hosts Southern on Tuesday.

Houston: Hosts No. 25 Virginia on Tuesday.

Arkansas rallies, avoids upset against Rice with 38-17 win

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 20:48:25 -0400

Arkansas must not have enjoyed the boos inside its own stadium.

The Razorbacks trailed at halftime against a Rice team that hasn’t beaten a power-conference opponent since 2013. In the first full-capacity game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in two seasons, a portion of the home crowd jeered at the break.

Arkansas then scored on five of its last six possessions of the game and ended up handling the Owls, 38-17.

Trelon Smith scored a go-ahead 2-yard touchdown with 12:44 left to give Arkansas its first lead since KJ Jefferson scored the game’s opening touchdown on a 34-yard quarterback draw. Arkansas followed Smith’s touchdown with a 9-yard reception by Tyson Morris from Jefferson and a 3-yard run by Dominique Johnson.

"We did about everything we could possibly do wrong in the first half," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "I told the team we were going to face adversity. I didn’t know it was going to be the entire first half. I’m so happy we won, but we didn’t field a very good football team today."

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Arkansas will have to be better next week against Texas. The two former Southwest Conference — and future SEC rivals — are meeting for the first time in the regular season since 2008.

Jefferson, in his second career start, was just 4 of 11 for 21 yards passing in the first half as the Razorbacks trailed, 10-7. His second pass of the second half, though, was a 31-yarder to Morris down the right sideline that resulted in a jumping celebration from the sophomore quarterback. Five plays later, he ran up the middle for his second rushing score of the game.

Jefferson ultimately finished 12 of 21 for 128 yards with a touchdown - an insurance score to Morris in the fourth quarter - and an interception. He added another 89 yards on the ground on nine carries. A 31-yard completion to Morris on his second throw of the second half seemed to shake free some of the nerves.

"I think that probably, to me, that was probably (when Jefferson settled). He knew he could throw it to our receivers and they’d catch it," Pittman said.

Rice was fine until the fourth quarter began. Arkansas had tied the game on a 26-yard field goal at the end of the third, but Rice quarterback Wiley Green had a ball batted at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by Jalen Catalon on the Owls’ first drive of the quarter. Catalon returned the ball inside the Rice 10 and Smith scored four plays later.

The Owls followed with a punt and two more Green interceptions on their next three drives. Two of Arkansas’ drives in response resulted in Arkansas touchdowns.

Green finished 12 of 25 for 152 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. His score came on a 41-yard pass to August Pitre III on Rice’s second drive of the second half, giving the Owls a 17-7 lead.

Smith was Arkansas’ most consistent offensive player, running for 102 yards on 22 carries with the touchdown. He sat on the final drive with the game in hand.

Pittman was bullish that next Saturday would look sharper. Part of Arkansas’ early struggles, he figured, were nerves as Jefferson was making his second career start and the team played in front of its largest crowd in two seasons as Arkansas returned to full capacity after limiting spectators because of COVID-19 last year.

"A lot of bad stuff out there that looked like, as a head coach, wasn’t a very well coached football team," Pittman said. "That’s me. It’s nobody else. That’s me. We’ll get better."

TARGETING TROUBLE

Arkansas lost both its starting linebackers to targeting penalties. Grant Morgan, a preseason All-SEC second-team selection, was ejected with 8:28 left in the first quarter and Bumper Pool was lost midway through the fourth quarter. Pool will miss the first half of next week’s game against Texas.

Also, linebacker Hayden Henry missed the first half against Rice due to his targeting penalty in the second half of last year’s season finale against Alabama.

A BIT RUSTY

Treylon Burks, who was named preseason All-American by some publications this summer, had five catches for 42 yards. He hadn’t practice for most of the last week-plus with an undisclosed injury, though Pittman said he practiced a small amount Wednesday then the whole practice, a shortened version, on Thursday. Pittman was satisfied with Burks’ Saturday.

"I asked Arkansas (associate director of sports medicine Dave Polanski), ‘I don’t care if we’re playing the Green Bay Packers or Grove High school, is he healthy?’ Pittman said. Now all the sudden, all these publications coming out that he’s a first-rounder and all this, the guy hasn’t practiced a lot. I’m sure he had a lot of pressure on him as well."

THE TAKEAWAY

Arkansas looked like an SEC team in the second half after a poor first. More will be required against Texas next week.

Rice played well against its first SEC opponent since the 2013 Liberty Bowl for a half. Quarterback play may be the Owls’ key to 2021.

UP NEXT

Arkansas will host arguably its most historic rival Saturday when Texas visits Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the first time since 2006.

Rice and cross-town rival Houston play in Week 2. The meeting is the teams’ first since 2018.

Rice RB tackled off bench in the 1954 Cotton Bowl has died

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 19:00:27 -0400

Dicky Maegle, the Rice running back tackled in the 1954 Cotton Bowl by an Alabama player who came off the bench in one of the most legendary plays in college football history, has died.

Rice University and the National Football Foundation said Tuesday that Maegle passed away Sunday. He was 86.

After leaving Rice, and playing with three teams over seven NFL seasons, he changed the spelling of his last name to the phonetically correct Maegle instead of Moegle.

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In Rice's 28-6 win on New Year's Day 1954, Maegle took a handoff from the Owls 5 and went around the right end. After getting past Bart Starr, a defensive back and quarterback for the Tide, and the rest of the Alabama defenders, Maegle was near midfield when Tommy Lewis came off the bench and threw a blindside block that knocked him to the ground. Lewis then ran back to the bench, and officials awarded Maegle a 95-yard touchdown run.

Maegle also had TD runs of 79 and 34 yards to finish with 265 yards rushing on 11 carries in that Cotton Bowl. That is still a single-game Rice record for rushing yards.

Both players later went on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and other national TV shows to talk about the play. Lewis explained that he was "just too full of Alabama" to watch Maegle run for a touchdown. Maegle equated the tackle to running down an alley when someone suddenly opened a door. The bench tackle was named the sports oddity of 1954 by writers who participated in an Associated Press year-end poll.

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Lewis, a fullback and co-captain of that SEC championship-winning Alabama team, died in October 2014.

A two-way player in college, Maegle was the 10th overall pick by San Francisco in the 1955 NFL draft and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie defensive back. He had 28 interceptions in 73 career games, with the 49ers (1955-59), Pittsburgh Steelers (1960) and Dallas Cowboys (1961).

Conference USA women's basketball championship history

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 09:49:40 -0500

Conference USA holds an annual women’s basketball tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Conference USA features 14 teams, including Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Old Dominion, Rice, Southern Miss, Texas-Arlington, UAB, UTEP, and Western Kentucky.

The conference began holding tournaments in 1996.

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Read below for a list of past champions.

2021: MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Middle Tennessee won the tournament in 2021, beating Rice 68-65.

2020: NO CHAMPION

No champion was crowned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2019: RICE

Rice won its first C-USA title in 2019. They defeated Middle Tennessee, 69-54. Nancy Mulkey was named tournament MVP.

2018: WESTERN KENTUCKY

Western Kentucky won its third title in four years. The Hilltoppers defeated UAB, 72-57. Tashia Brown won a second MVP award.

2017: WESTERN KENTUCKY

Western Kentucky won its second conference title in 2017, defeating Southern Miss 67-56. Tashia Brown was named tournament MVP.

2016: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State defeated Old Dominion, 70-54, in 2016. Ty Petty won the tournament MVP.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2015: WESTERN KENTUCKY

In 2015, Western Kentucky won its first C-USA title. They defeated Southern Miss, 60-57. Alexis Govan was named MVP.

2014: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

In 2014, Middle Tennessee State knocked off Tulsa, 84-55. Ebony Rowe won tournament MVP.

2013: TULSA

Tulsa defeated Central Florida, 75-66, in 2013. Taleya Mayberry was named tournament MVP.

2012: UTEP

In 2012, UTEP won the title over Central Florida 69-65. Gloria Brown was named tournament MVP.

2011: CENTRAL FLORIDA

Central Florida claimed Conference USA glory in 2011. They defeated Tulane 85-73. Jelisa Caldwell won the MVP award.

2010: TULANE

Tulane won its fifth conference title in 2010. The Green Wave defeated UAB 62-54. Daniell Nunn won the MVP award.

2009: CENTRAL FLORIDA

Central Florida defeated Southern Miss in overtime, 65-54. Emma Cannon was named MVP.

2008: SMU

SMU defeated UTEP, 73-57, to claim its first conference title in 2008. Janielle Dodds was named tournament MVP.

2007: EAST CAROLINA

East Carolina won the title in 2007, defeating Rice 79-70. LaCoya Terry won the tournament MVP award.

ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2006: TULSA

Tulsa won its first conference title in 2006. They defeated Rice, 55-52. Jillian Robbins was named tournament MVP.

2005: TCU

TCU defeated Louisville, 60-41, in 2005. Sandora Irvin won a second MVP award.

2004: HOUSTON

Houston won its first C-USA title in 2004, defeating TCU 86-75. Chandi Jones was named tournament MVP.

2003: TCU

TCU needed overtime to beat Cincinnati. The Horned Frogs won the game, 85-76. Sandora Irvin was named tournament MVP.

2002: CINCINNATI

Cincinnati won the conference title in 2002. The Bearcats defeated Tulane, 68-56. Valerie King became the first multi-MVP winner.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2001: TULANE

In 2001, Tulane won the fourth title in five years. They defeated Cincinnati, 63-50. Valerie King, of Cincinnati, won the tournament MVP award.

2000: TULANE

Tulane repeated as champions in 2000. They defeated UAB, 73-70. Janell Burse was named tournament MVP.

1999: TULANE

Tulane won the conference title in 1999, defeating Cincinnati 58-44. Grace Daley was named tournament MVP.

1998: MEMPHIS

Memphis won a second C-USA title in 1998, defeating Louisville 79-75. LaTonya Johnson won MVP.

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

1997: TULANE

Tulane won the conference title in 1997. The Green Wave defeated Marquette, 76-53. Mary Lowry was named tournament MVP.

1996: MEMPHIS

Memphis won the first-ever Conference USA women’s basketball tournament in 1996. The Tigers defeated DePaul, 93-87, in overtime. Keeta Matthews was named tournament MVP.

Conference USA men's basketball championship history

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 08:34:51 -0500

Conference USA holds an annual men’s basketball tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Conference USA features 14 teams--Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Old Dominion, Rice, Southern Miss, Texas-Arlington, UAB, UTEP, and Western Kentucky.

The conference began its men’s basketball tournament in 1996.

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Read below for a list of past champions.

2021: NORTH TEXAS

The Mean Green picked up a 61-57 victory over Western Kentucky in the C-USA finals. It was North Texas' first conference championship.

2020: NO CHAMPION

No champion was crowned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2019: OLD DOMINION

Old Dominion defeated Western Kentucky in 2019, 62-56. Xavier Green was named tournament MVP.

2018: MARSHALL

Marshall won its first C-USA title in 2018. The Thundering Herd defeated Western Kentucky, 67-66. Jon Elmore was named tournament MVP.

2017: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

The Blue Raiders won back-to-back titles in 2017. They defeated Marshall, 83-72. Giddy Potts was named MVP.

2016: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Middle Tennessee State won its first C-USA title in 2016. They beat Old Dominion, 55-53. Reggie Upshaw was named MVP.

IVY LEAGUE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2015: UAB

UAB defeated Middle Tennessee State, 73-60, in 2015. The Blazers’ Robert Brown was named tournament MVP.

2014: TULSA

Tulsa defeated Louisiana Tech, 69-60, in 2014. James Woodard was named MVP.

2013: MEMPHIS

Memphis needed double overtime to get past Southern Miss in 2013. They won 91-79. Chris Crawford was named MVP.

2012: MEMPHIS

Memphis won its sixth title in seven years in 2012. The Tigers defeated Marshall, 83-57. Joe Jackson won a second straight MVP.

2011: MEMPHIS

Memphis picked up a title over UTEP in 2011, 67-66. Joe Jackson was named tournament MVP.

2010: HOUSTON

Houston briefly stopped Memphis’ run in 2010. The Cougars defeated UTEP, 81-73. Kelvin Lewis was named MVP.

2009: MEMPHIS

Memphis clobbered Tulsa for a fourth straight title in 2009, 64-39. Tyreke Evans was named MVP.

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2008: MEMPHIS

Memphis won a third straight C-USA title in 2008. They defeated Tulsa, 77-51. Antonio Anderson was named MVP.

2007: MEMPHIS

Memphis repeated as champs in 2007. The Tigers defeated Houston, 71-59. Chris Douglas-Roberts was named MVP.

2006: MEMPHIS

In 2006, Memphis started a brief period of dominance in Conference USA. They defeated UAB, 57-46. Shawne Williams was named tournament MVP.

2005: LOUISVILLE

Louisville won its second title in three seasons in 2005. They defeated Memphis, 75-74. Taquan Dean was named MVP.

2004: CINCINNATI

Cincinnati won a fourth conference title in 2004. They defeated DePaul, 55-50. Tony Bobbitt was named tournament MVP.

2003: LOUISVILLE

Louisville won its first C-USA title in 2003. The Cardinals defeated UAB, 83-78. Luke Whitehead was named MVP.

2002: CINCINNATI

Cincinnati defeated Marquette, 77-63, in 2002. Steve Logan was named tournament MVP.

METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2001: CHARLOTTE

Charlotte defeated Cincinnati, 80-72, in 2001. Rodney White was named MVP.

2000: SAINT LOUIS

In 2000, Saint Louis defeated DePaul 56-49. Justin Love was named MVP.

1999: CHARLOTTE

Charlotte finally broke through in 1999. The 49ers defeated Louisville, 68-59. Galen Young was named tournament MVP.

1998: CINCINNATI

Cincinnati became the first multi-conference winner in 1998. They defeated Charlotte, 71-57. Eventual No. 1 pick Kenyon Martin was named MVP.

1997: MARQUETTE

Marquette bounced back and won the conference title in 1997. They defeated Charlotte, 60-52. Aaron Hutchins was named MVP.

NORTHEAST CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

1996: CINCINNATI

Cincinnati won the first Conference USA tournament title in 1996. The Bearcats defeated Marquette, 85-83, in overtime. Danny Fortson was named tournament MVP.

2021 Conference USA men's basketball tournament: Matchups, players to know & more

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:23:21 -0500

The 2021 Conference USA men’s basketball tournament will determine which team gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The conference tournament begins March 9 and runs through March 13.

There will be 14 teams in the tournament and each game will take place at the Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas.

North Texas received the automatic bid.

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MARCH 9 – PRELIMINARY ROUND

(6W) Rice def. (7W) Southern Miss, 61-52

(6E) Middle Tennessee over (7E) FIU (No Contest)

MARCH 10 – FIRST ROUND

(4W) UTSA def. (5E) Charlotte, 72-62

(6W) Rice def. (3E) Marshall, 72-68

(4E) Florida Atlantic def. (5W) UTEP, 76-70

(3W) North Texas def. (6E) Middle Tennessee, 76-56

MARCH 11 – QUARTERFINALS

(1E) Western Kentucky def. (4W) UTSA, 80-67

(2W) UAB def. (6W) Rice, 73-60

(1W) Louisiana Tech def. (4E) Florida Atlantic, 75-69

(3W) North Texas def. (2E) Old Dominion, 61-55

MARCH 12 – SEMIFINAL ROUND

(1E) Western Kentucky def. (2W) UAB, 64-60

(3W) North Texas def. (1W) Louisiana Tech, 54-48

MARCH 13 – CHAMPIONSHIP

(3W) North Texas def. (1E) Western Kentucky, 61-57

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5 PLAYERS TO KNOW

Jahmir Young, Charlotte: Young, a first-team All-Conference USA selection, averaged 18.0 points during the 2020-21 season. Charlotte is locked in at the No. 5 seed in the East Division.

Taevion Kinsey, Marshall: Kinsey, who averaged 19.9 points per game in 2020-21, was also a member of the All-Conference USA first team. The junior also shot 54% from the field for Marshall, which earned the third-seed in the East Division.

Jhivvan Jackson, UTSA: Jackson led the conference in points (20.6 ppg), and was fourth in three-pointers made per game (2.7). UTSA is the fourth-seed in the West Division.

Charles Bassey, WKU: Bassey, another first-team All-Conference USA player, averaged 17.5 points per game, which was fourth in the conference. He also led Conference USA in rebounds (11.7 RPG), field goal percentage (61%), and blocks (3.1).

Javion Hamlet, UNT: Hamlet, who averaged 14.3 points per contest, also averaged 4.0 assists per game, and he was at the top of the conference in free throw percentage (89%).

Rice uses 5 interceptions to upset No. 15 Marshall 20-0

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 15:46:24 -0500

Safety Naeem Smith returned one of five Marshall interceptions for a touchdown and Rice shocked the 15th-ranked Thundering Herd 20-0 on Saturday.

The three-touchdown underdog Owls (2-2, 2-2 Conference USA) beat a ranked opponent for the first time since 1997 despite being without their two top offensive weapons and getting outgained 245 yards to 213.

Marshall (7-1, 4-1) saw its bid to keep a perfect season going end.

Rice was missing quarterback Mike Collins and leading wide receiver Austin Trammell, who did not play due to undisclosed injuries unrelated to COVID-19.

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Backup quarterback JoVoni Johnson had not attempted a pass in two previous games this season. The Owls didn't need his arm much, using its ground game behind freshman Khalan Griffin to eat up clock time against the nation’s top rushing defense.

What opportunities Marshall had, it threw away.

Redshirt freshman Grant Wells had by far his worst game of the season. Coming off a five-touchdown performance against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 14, Wells went 18 of 35 for 165 yards. His five interceptions Saturday surpassed his total of four from the previous seven games combined.

Wells threw directly to Smith midway through the third quarter. Smith took the interception 36 yards for a touchdown to put the Owls up 20-0.

After Wells’ fifth interception put Rice at the Marshall 23, Owls receiver Jake Bailey caught a pass from Johnson but fumbled as he was crossing the goal line for a touchback.

That was one of the few things that went right for Marshall.

Jordan Myers scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter and Collin Riccitelli kicked field goals of 39 and 40 yards for Rice.

Marshall's Brenden Knox, who had surpassed 100 rushing yards in five of his six previous games, was limited to 76 yards.

Both teams had seen plenty of interruptions this season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Marshall had not played in three weeks, while Rice was playing only its fourth game of the entire season.

Saturday's game was originally scheduled for Oct. 3 but was postponed after Rice pushed back the start of its fall practice to late September due to COVID-19 concerns in the Houston area.

THE TAKEAWAY

Rice: Without their top offensive weapons and playing just their fourth game of the season, the Owls played with a determination that paid off.

Marshall: The Thundering Herd were shut out for the first time since 2000 and for the first time at their home stadium. Marshall fell into a first-place tie in the East Division with Florida Atlantic with a week left in the regular season.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Marshall will make a steep drop in the AP poll and could even risk falling out.

UP NEXT

Rice is scheduled to host UAB on Saturday.

Marshall is scheduled to play at Florida International on Friday night, although Conference USA has said it plans to make an announcement by Sunday on adjustments for the final weekend of the regular season.

Lance Armstrong's son, Luke, likens using PEDs to 'taking the shortcut'

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:40:48 -0400

Lance Armstrong’s son, Luke, believes that taking performance-enhancing drugs is akin to taking a shortcut in athletic competition.

Luke Armstrong made the point during the second part of the “Lance” documentary, which focused on his father’s triumphs and tribulations of his cycling career. Luke Armstrong, who plays football at Rice, was asked whether he would ever consider taking PEDs like his father.

LANCE ARMSTRONG SAYS HE TOLD '10,000 LIES' DURING DOPING SCANDAL, NEW DOCUMENTARY REVEALS

“I’ve always felt like grinding for something, and really working for a specific goal has always been so much more worth it than taking the shortcut,” Luke Armstrong said during the documentary, according to the New York Post. “I also feel like if I ever did that and got caught, for random people, they would be like, `He’s just like his dad.’”

Lance Armstrong went as far as to say that he would steer his son away from PEDs.

LANCE ARMSTRONG SAYS STEPFATHER 'BEAT THE SH-- OUT OF ME' AS A KID

“If we were put in that position where Luke as a college football player came to me and either said, ‘I’d like to try this,’ or ‘I am doing this,’ I would say, ‘that’s a bad idea,’” Armstrong said. “It might be a different conversation if you’re in the NFL. But at this point in life, in your career, not worth it.”

Lance Armstrong won seven Tour de France cycling titles before he admitted to using PEDs and had his championships stripped.

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Luke Armstrong is a redshirt sophomore fullback at Rice. He was on Conference USA’s Honor Roll in 2020.

2020 Conference USA women's basketball tournament: Matchups, players to know & more

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:02:20 -0400

The 2020 Conference USA women’s basketball tournament will determine which team gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament beginning on March 20.

The first round of the tournament is slated to begin on March 11 and will run through March 14 at the Baylor Scott & White Sports Performance Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Twelve of the conference’s 14 teams make the tournament.

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Here is the schedule for the C-USA tournament.

MARCH 11 - FIRST ROUND

No. 8 Marshall def. No. 9 Southern Miss, 71-67.

No. 12 Louisiana Tech def. No. 5 UAB, 66-63.

No. 7 UTEP def. No. 10 Florida Atlantic, 95-67.

No. 6 Charlotte def. No. 11 North Texas, 71-67.

MARCH 12 - QUARTERFINALS

No. 1 Rice vs. No. 8 Marshall (12 p.m. ET)

No. 4 Middle Tennessee State vs. No. 12 Louisiana Tech (12:30 p.m. ET)

No. 2 Old Dominion vs.No. 7 UTEP ( 2:30 p.m. ET)

No. 3 Western Kentucky vs. No.6 Charlotte 3 p.m. ET)

MARCH 13- SEMIFINALS

Quarterfinal Winner vs. Quarterfinal Winner (7 p.m. ET)

Quarterfinal Winner vs. Quarterfinal Winner (9:30 p.m. ET)

MARCH 14- CHAMPIONSHIP

Semifinal Winner vs. Semifinal Winner (5:30 p.m. ET)

CONFERENCE USA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH

AISLYNN HAYES, MIDDLE TENNESSE STATE: Aislynn Hayes, a freshman at Middle Tennessee State was awarded C-USA’s Freshman of the year after averaging 14.1 points per game this season and 4.4 rebounds per game.

ANASTASIA HAYES, MIDDLE TENNESEE STATE: Anastasia Hayes, a redshirt sophomore at Middle Tennessee State, was named Newcomer of the Year after finishing the regular season on a four-game streak of 20 or more points per game. She ranks second in the conference in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game and fourth in assists with 4.4 points per game.

NANCY MULKEY, RICE: Nancy Muley, a junior at Rice, was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She ranks fifth in the nation in blocked shots with an average of 3.21 per game and second on the team in scoring with an average of 12.9 points per game.

RAIZEL GUINTO, LOUISIANA TECH: Raizel Guinto, a junior at Louisiana Tech, was named the Co-Sixth Player of the Year award after averaging a team-best 2.8 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game, and her 3-point percentage sits inside C-USA's top 10.

AZIAH HUDSON, OLD DOMINION: Aziah Hudson, a sophomore at Old Dominion, shared the Co-Sixth Player of the Year award with Guinto with a team second-best 4.7 treys attempted and 1.6 made per game and a second-best assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.0 per game.

2019 CHAMPION

Rice won its first C-USA title in 2019. They defeated Middle Tennessee State, 69-54. Nancy Mulkey was named tournament MVP.