On Sept. 9, 2023, a failed two-point conversion in double overtime snapped Houston’s seven-game winning streak in matchups against the Owls and led to Rice celebrating with the Bayou Bucket on their home turf.
Head coach Willie Fritz played that video to motivate his team to take back the hardware.
“I told the guys this is a big ball game,” Fritz said. “Rice has it circled. We need to have it double-circled. That’s how we practiced all week.”
The Cougars’ commanding 33-7 win will now take its spot in history as the Bayou Bucket will return to UH, exactly 50 years after the first matchup.