Rice Wins 2013 C-USA - December 7th, 2013
Rice hosts the 2013 Conference USA championship game
Rice faces Marshall for the conference championship
35° with 10° windchill really limits the crowd
Marshall takes the field first
Both sides of the championship get an official entrance
Then Rice takes the field
Lots of bare skin out there in this cold
$20 front row, upper deck, 50 yard seats!
Marshall kicks off to Rice
Rice starts on their 18 and promptly marches
Rice picks up 3 first downs to set up the big play
35yd halfback pass from Turner to Moore for a TD
Next possession ends quick with a 75yd TD pass
Longest championship TD pass puts Rice up 14-0
Marshall calls their best play to start this possession
Marshall gets two first downs and pass midfield
Marshall punts from the Rice 41 to the 1 yd line
QB rushes for 3 yards in two plays
The won't be expecting a 3rd straight QB run, will they?
McHargue busts a 22 yd run for a 1st down!
2 runs and incomplete pass forces Rice's first punt
Cato complete a 20yd pass for a first down
35yd pass almost intercepted at the 5 yd line
1st quarter ends with Rice up 14-0
Rice cheerleaders perform between the quarters
Marshall starts the 2nd qtr on the Rice 42
Cato runs for 10 yds to the Rice 32, 1st down!
17yd pass from Cato to Gator for a Marshall 1st down
Cato finds no one open on 3rd and 5
Marshall settles for a FG, Rice still up 14-3
The famous Rice Stadium upper deck meat locker is empty
Not missing the windchill on the Rice side goalline
Don't arrive in time to photo Rice's 3rd TD, up 21-3
Rice cheerleaders fire up the crowd
Cato picks up a 1st down of 3rd and 8
Cato picks up 3 yds for a 1st down on the Rice 28
Cato scrambles while looking for the open man
Cato completes a pass to the Rice 1 yd line
Johnson punches in Marshall's first TD, Rice up 21-10
A fan moves in front of me, of course he's got to stand up
Both teams trade five punts, ending the half, Rice 21-10
Head to The Roost on the visitor side upper deck
Grab a $6.50 pint of Bud Light and go back into the wind
Marching Owl Band performs their halftime show
Too cold to hear with a cold beer out in the wind chill
Theme: Half the crowd stayed home to avoid the cold
Marshall comes out for the second half
Rice fired up to hit the sub 20's windchill
Never wear white socks with your sandles and shorts!
Shift positions again, lower deck past the Marshall band
Take in the Marshall Band at the opposite goal line
Sit behind the Marshall Pom and cheerleaders
Rice side has a few more people but not much more
Marshall starts its 2nd possession of the third quarter
Cheerleaders get the visitor crowd on its feet
Thundering Herd mascot happy inside the suit today
Field access for bigger lenses? Hmmm
Push 'em back, push 'em back, waaaaaaaay back!
Turner pitches the ball to Dillard on the option
Dillard takes it in 17yds for the TD, EP hits upright
Cato incomplete pass on 2nd & 10 at the Marshall 20
Cato rushes for 9 on 3rd down, Marshall punts
Rice marches to the Marshall 8 yd line
Turner 8 yd TD pass to Cella, Rice up 34-10
Ross and Cella celebrate extending the lead
Switch positions to start the 4th quarter
Get closer to the Rice sideline for post game photos
Marshall marches this possession the the Rice 18
Marshall picks up a 4th and six to the Rice 8
Cato to Taliaferro on 2nd and Goal
Taliaferro crosses the goal line, Rice still up 34-17
Rice huddles up with 11 minutes left in the game
McHargue option handoff to Ross for a 3 yd run
Two players huddle around the only heater on the field
Rice gets the ball on downs at the Marshall 38
Ross rumbles 16yds for another Rice TD, up 41-17
The Roost toasts Rice's impending conference crown
Marshall calls their scariest plays of the day
Marshall drives 82 yds across the field
With 1st & Goal on the Rice 3, Cato scrambles
Cato finds an open man in the endzone corner
Cato to Smith for a 3yd TD pass, Marshall down 24-41
What play should we run, Coach? Run the ball, baby!
Owls get a final first down & can now run out the clock
A final victory formation and the game ends
Don't disregard the "No fans on the field" announcement
Owl players celebrate with the student body
Rice Owls win their first conference title since 1957
Rambunctious owl fans always in trouble with the law
Don't worry The stadium jail is quite warm!
Rice Coach Bailiff thanks the fans
The players hoist the Championship Trophy
Once Marshall clears the field, the fans are invited in
Note to self: The impatient fan is the arrested fan
Wear another layer & grow a longer beard next ~30° game
Conference Title trophy surfs through the crowd
Players and fan alike take turns hoisting the trophy
Many photos taken with the conference title trophy
Hey, the trophy is coming my way!
Get to touch the trophy when it enters the stands
History made - History observed - History recorded!