Louisiana Tech Bulldogs @ Rice Owls
Smith runs for TD in OT, Louisiana Tech edges Rice 23-20
HOUSTON -- J'Mar Smith ran for a touchdown in overtime that made the difference as Louisiana Tech edged Rice 23-20 on Saturday night.
Trailing 20-17 in the overtime period, Smith led the Bulldogs (4-1) downfield then took it in himself from 12 yards out for the win. Rice had scored first in OT on a 36-yard field goal by Chris Barnes.
Smith was 21 of 39 for 210 yards and a score passing. Justin Henderson ran for 64 yards and a score and Bailey Hale kicked a 31-yard field goal.
Trailing 14-7 at halftime, Louisiana Tech evened it up with Henderson's 24-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left in the third. Rice went ahead on a Barnes field goal late in the fourth and the Bulldogs replied on the ensuing drive with Hale's field goal that evened the score at 17-all with 1:10 remaining to force overtime.
Wiley Green threw for 128 yards for the Owls (0-5). Aston Walter ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Game Information
Houston, TX
2025 Standings
| Conference USA | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Jacksonville State | 7-1 | 9-5 |
| Western Kentucky | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Louisiana Tech | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Missouri State | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Florida International | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Delaware | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Liberty | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Middle Tennessee | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| New Mexico State | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| UTEP | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| Sam Houston | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| American Conference | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Tulane | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| North Texas | 7-1 | 12-2 |
| Navy | 7-1 | 11-2 |
| East Carolina | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| South Florida | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Army | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Memphis | 4-4 | 8-5 |
| UTSA | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Temple | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Rice | 2-6 | 5-8 |
| UAB | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Tulsa | 1-7 | 4-8 |
| Charlotte | 0-8 | 1-11 |
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