On a day where both offenses combined for over 1000 yards, USF would get the best of Rice 42-29 behind Byrum Brown's and receiver Naiem Simmons' career days. Byrum Brown threw for a career high 435 yards and was responsible for 3 touchdowns on Saturday over Rice to open conference play for both teams. Brown would have a 1 yard td run, 49 yard passing td and an 8 yard td pass on the day in which both passing offenses couldn't really be stopped. Brown ended up 22-of-29 passing and had 82 yards rushing on 14 carries. Brown's 435 yards passing is good for 3rd all time passing in school history. Naiem Simmons would break the receiving yards record in school history as he had 272 yards on only 8 catches.
Rice quarterback JT Daniels couldn't be stopped either. Daniels was 27-of-40 passing for 432 yards and threw for 3 touchdowns. Receiver Luke McCaffrey had nine catches for 199 yards receiving as well. Both quarterback to receiver combinations were working all game and it led to an entertaining air raid affair between both squads. The game was very close in the first half as it was 14-13 Rice at halftime. USF would end up pulling away in the second half as Brown hit receiver Sean Atkins that put the Bulls up 34-21 with 13:22 remaining and they took control for the rest of the game.
Although Rice threw for for almost 500 yards on the day, what impressed me the most was the Bulls' run defense. They held the Owls to 1 yard on 20 carries. If they can patch up their pass defense then I can see them finishing at the top of their conference especially if Byrum Brown continues to make plays like he did versus Rice.
Up next for both teams:
USF (2-2) travels to Navy (1-2) for a game at 3:30
Rice (2-2) is at home vs. East Carolina (1-3) for a game at 7:00
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