City supremacy was on the line Saturday night in Houston, TX.
For the 44th time, the Houston Cougars and Rice Owls settled things on the football field in a rivalry known as the Bayou Bucket Classic. Houston entered Saturday leading the all-time series 32-11 while riding a 6-game win streak, and although the Owls proved to be valiant challengers, the Cougars continued their winning ways in a 34-27 decision.
Rice led with under six minutes remaining but Houston knotted the score at 27 on a late field goal. On the ensuing Owls possession, Cougars defensive end D’Anthony Jones strip-sacked Rice quarterback TJ McMahon and Nelson Ceaser scooped up the loose pigskin for a go-ahead score.