Nov. 21, 2008

The Rice Owls (7-3/5-1) open a two-game slate that will wrap up the 2008 regular season schedule when they welcome Marshall (4-6/3-3) in The Herd's first appearance at Rice Stadium on Saturday. Game time was pushed back to 2:30 in order to be televised nationally on CBS Colllege Sports.

Rice-Marshall game program (PDF file)

The game will be broadcast locally on Houston's ESPN 97.5 The Ticket with David Saltzman, Nate Griffin joined by Jorge Vargas in describing the action. Vargas is substituting for Matt McCabe, who is on the road this weekend, broadcasting the Rice men's basketball games. Fans outside the Houston market can listen to the broadcast on the internet. CBS College Sports broadcast of the game will also be webcast on-line through Owls All Access.

Marshall took the first meeting between the two schools last year, 34-21, but needed to recover an onside kick and then score a late touchdown to hold off a furious Rice rally.

Rice enters Saturday's game on a four-game winning streak and has reached bowl eligibility for the second time in the last three years. The Owls have not won seven of their first ten since 2001 when they went on to win eight of the first 11 before finishing the season 8-4.

The game will feature a battle between one of the nation's most productive offenses and one of C-USA's best defensive units. Rice is tied for fifth in the nation with a total of 34 touchdown passes this season and is sixth in passing (322.6 yards per game), ninth in scoring (40.8 points per game) and 11th in total offense (462 yards per game). The Owls have already smashed their previous school marks for points (408) and touchdowns (56). Marshall is second in C-USA in scoring defense in conference action (23.0 points per game) as well as in pass defense efficiency.

Chase Clement heads into action this week needing just one touchdown to break the C-USA career mark of 109 combined touchdowns (passing and rushing) set by Paul Smith of Tulsa last year. He broke the conference career mark for touchdown passes last week. Clement and Jarett Dillard will be looking to extend their NCAA record for career touchdowns as a passing duo (48), while Dillard will be looking to add to his NCAA records for career touchdown receptions (57) and career games with a touchdown pass (36).

The Owls are back in action next Saturday on CBS College, when they host the Houston Cougars in the 32nd battle for the Bayou Bucket. Kickoff for next Saturday's game has also been moved to 2:30 (central).

Tickets for Marshall game on sale by calling (713) 522-Owls, or in person at the Rice Stadium Ticket office.