Rice defeated UH in overtime in the 42nd Bayou Bucket, 43-41

Written by B. Keith Crear III | Photo credit: Oscar Herrera-SFL Staff Photographer

Houston, TX --Rice defeated UH in overtime on September 9, 2023, in the 42nd Bayou Bucket game. The final score was 43-41. JT Daniels threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns for Rice, while Daelen Alexander rushed for three touchdowns. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for Rice against Houston. It was also the Owls' first win in the Bayou Bucket since 2010. The Owls trailed for most of the game, but they rallied in the fourth quarter and forced overtime. In the first overtime, the teams traded field goals, but Rice came out on top with a touchdown run by Daelen Alexander. In the second overtime, the Owls held on to win after Houston missed a field goal.

The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than seven points at any time. Rice took a 24-21 lead into halftime, but Houston tied the game at 28 early in the fourth quarter. Rice regained the lead with a touchdown with 2:30 left in regulation, but Houston tied the game again with a field goal with 17 seconds left.

Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, but Rice's extra point was good while Houston's was not. Rice then scored a touchdown in the second overtime to secure the win.

The Bayou Bucket is a rivalry game between Rice and UH, two universities located in Houston. The game is played annually and is one of the most anticipated games of the season for both schools.The victory was a big one for Rice, as it snapped a number of streaks and gave the Owls a boost of confidence heading into the rest of the season. The win was a major upset for Rice, as it was also the Owls' first win over Houston in 13 years.