UH over Rice, 31-30
The Big Damn Football Game got off to an awful start (so we heard on AM radio while waiting to park), but things quickly turned around, awakening the deepest and most secret hopes in all of us. By halftime, the packed stadium was exhilarating—like nothing I’d ever seen at a Rice football game. (Actually, the fact that Rice was ahead was like nothing I’d ever seen at a Rice football game.)
Things turned sour by the end, though; a couple of ugly changes of possession resulted in a loss of momentum, giving Houston a chance to get back into the game. By the end, a blocked extra point from the second quarter made all the difference. Houston, fourteen-point favorites, had just squeaked it out over a reborn Rice squad.
And yet, I can already see the headlines on the local Cougar-friendly rag:
Cougs Eat Owls For Dinner
Blowout game surprises no one
Same Old Rice Team Continues To Make Bayou Bucket A Joke
Rice: Why bother showing up?
Update 9/3: Here are the actual Houston Chronicle headlines this morning: Houston survives Rice outburst to win 31-30; Rice sees its upset hopes go slip-sliding away; 3-3-5 a hit for Owls.