After 10 consecutive losing seasons, the Rice Owls decided to think outside the box. In late November, they made a unique hire, bringing in Scott Abell from Davidson of the FCS. What immediately stood out about Abell was his spread option style offense — the complete antithesis of what the Owls were accustomed to running.
Without too much transfer portal influence, Rice spent an entire offseason installing the new scheme, transitioning fullbacks to tight ends, select running backs and receivers to slot
backs, and teaching linemen new blocking schemes. All of that time spent implementing the new system paid off, as the Owls jumped to a 1-0 record to commence the Abell era.
In the opener of a newly-renovated Cajun Field, Rice played the role of spoiler and upset Louisiana, 14-12. The Ragin’ Cajuns were fresh off a Sun Belt Championship Game appearance and 10+ win season — two achievements the Cajuns had recently claimed when the Owls also upset them in 2022.
Abell offenses were always known for their rushing prowess at his previous stops. Davidson led the FCS in rushing last season, and the Owls already put their name in the hat for a similar claim in 2025. Rice brutalized the Louisiana defense with 206 rushing yards, as feature back Quinton Jackson shattered his career-high with 119 yards complemented by an early second quarter touchdown, while Daelen Alexander added 74 as an effective second fiddle. Rice starting quarterback Chase Jenkins only needed to drop back to pass nine times, and he efficiently completed seven strikes in his first collegiate start to assist the Owls in their first 1-0 start since 2018.
Rice grew its lead as large as 14-3 in the second quarter on a very well-executed option play. Jenkins faked a handoff up the middle to Alexander while Drayden Dickmann sprinted left-to-right as a decoy for a jet sweep. The actual jet sweep went to former UConn and Cincinnati transfer Aaron Turner, who ran right-to-left and finished with a dive to the pylon for a 17-yard touchdown.
After Turner’s touchdown, the rest of the game was a test for the defense to determine if it could prevent the Cajuns from notching 11 points. Louisiana kicker Tony Sterner, the replacement for reigning Lou Groza Award winner Kenneth Almendares, nailed a 51-yard field goal right before halftime to slice the deficit to one score. Then in the second half, the home team only added to the scoreboard in the late third quarter when former Ole Miss quarterback Walker Howard ran in a 25-yard touchdown. However, an incompletion on the 2-point attempt kept the Owls ahead by two.
Rice’s defense, headlined by John Kay (who was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator) shined in the fourth quarter. Louisiana received four opportunities only needing as much as a field goal, and the Owls never let them cross their own 35. The first two series resulted in three-and-outs. The third series was effectively concluded by safety Daveon Hook who stopped Howard in his tracks on a 4th and 2 keeper. Then the final series resulted in a quarterback change, as redshirt freshman David Beale replaced an injured Howard. His 4th and 10 completion was broken up by defensive end Michael Daley, sealing the road victory for Abell and Co.
Louisiana (0-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) fell to 1-6 all-time vs. American Conference teams after falling victim to a home upset. Over 22,000 funneled in to take on the new Cajun Field atmosphere, and the stadium will be open for business next week as Louisiana remains grounded to host McNeese of the FCS.
Rice (1-0, 0-0 American) not only is 1-0 for the first time since 2018. Saturday marked the first time the Owls defeated their first FBS opponent of the year since 2008. The Abell era brings early promise to a team that’s desired a winning culture for a decade, and Rice hopes to ride the momentum again with the underdog label as the Bayou Bucket rivalry vs. Houston awaits.
