Colonels 16, Owls 14
HOUSTON (AP) -- A blocked punt that went through the end zone for a safety gave Nicholls State a 16-14 win over Rice on Saturday in the first game for new Owls coach David Bailiff.
Will Norris blocked a Luke Juist punt through the end zone midway through the fourth quarter for the game-winning safety for Nicholls State, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA.
The Colonels held Rice's offense to 218 yards and kept wide receiver Jarrett Dillard from scoring a touchdown for the first time in 16 games, a streak dating to 2005.
Rice quarterback Chase Clement completed 11-of-28 passes for 108 yards. He was sacked twice and intercepted three times, including one returned 32 yards for a touchdown by Ladarius Webb late in the second quarter.
The game was delayed twice by bad weather for a total of about two hours.
Bailiff, who spent the last three seasons at Texas State, replaced Todd Graham, who left in the offseason to take over Tulsa's program.
Game Information
2023 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| SMU | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| Tulane | 8-0 | 11-2 |
| UTSA | 7-1 | 8-4 |
| Memphis | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| South Florida | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Rice | 4-4 | 6-6 |
| Navy | 4-4 | 5-6 |
| North Texas | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| UAB | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Charlotte | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tulsa | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Temple | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| East Carolina | 1-7 | 2-10 |
NCAAF News