The 2022 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University as a member of Conference USA (C-USA) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by head coach Mike Bloomgren, who was coaching his fifth season with the team. The Owls played their home games at the Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas.
In October 2021, Rice accepted the invitation to join the American Athletic Conference (AAC), scheduled to become a full-member on July 1, 2023. The 2022 season was expected to be the program's last season as a member of Conference USA.
The Owls finished their regular season with a 5–7 record, and became bowl eligible due to having the highest APR among FBS teams with 5–7 records.
Preseason
C-USA media day The Conference USA media day was held on July 27 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Owls were predicted to finish tenth in the conference's preseason poll.
Roster
Schedule Rice and Conference USA announced the 2022 football schedule on March 30, 2022.
Game summaries
At No.14 USC Trojans
Vs. McNeese State
Vs. Louisiana
At Houston (Bayou Bucket Classic)
Statistics RiceHouston First downs 22 19 Plays–yards 65–424 58–427 Rushes–yards 25–90 32–178 Passing yards 334 249 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–40–1 19–26–1 Time of possession 29:55 30:05 Team Category Player StatisticsRice Passing T. J. McMahon 25/39, 334 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Kobie Campbell 1 carry, 34 yards Receiving Bradley Rozner 5 receptions, 123 yardsHouston Passing Clayton Tune 19/26, 249 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Ta'Zhawn Henry 17 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD Receiving Tank Dell 7 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD
UAB
Statistics UABRICE First downs 22 15 Total yards 360 209 Rushing yards 122 105 Passing yards 238 104 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 30:00 30:00
Team Category Player StatisticsUAB Passing Dylan Hopkins 15/21, 231 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing DeWayne McBride 27 rushes, 121 yards, TD Receiving Tejhaun Palmer 2 receptions, 82 yardsRice Passing T. J. McMahon 11/17, 104 yards, TD Rushing Cameron Montgomery 5 rushes, 34 yards Receiving Luke McCaffrey 5 receptions, 38 yards
At Florida Atlantic
At Louisiana Tech
Statistics RICELT First downs 24 19 Total yards 487 373 Rushing yards 279 144 Passing yards 208 229 Turnovers 3 1 Time of possession 33:22 26:38
Team Category Player StatisticsRice Passing T. J. McMahon 16/27, 208 yards, 3 TD Rushing Cameron Montgomery 14 rushes, 87 yards Receiving Luke McCaffrey 10 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TDLouisiana Tech Passing Matthew Downing 12/24, 159 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Marquis Crosby 14 rushes, 87 yards Receiving Tre Harris 8 receptions, 92 yards, 3 TD
Charlotte
Sources:
Team Category Player StatisticsCharlotte Passing Chris Reynolds 16–19, 254 yards, 5 TD Rushing Shadrick Byrd 13 rushes, 83 yards, 1 TD Receiving Elijah Spencer 5 receptions, 84 yards, 3 TDRice Passing T. J. McMahon 18–33, 218 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Rushing T. J. McMahon 9 rushes, 45 yards Receiving Bradley Rozner 5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD Statistics CHARRice First downs 25 20 Total yards 514 370 Rushing yards 239 152 Passing yards 275 218 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 31:57 28:03
UTEP
At Western Kentucky
UTSA
At North Texas
Statistics RICEUNT First downs 19 16 Total yards 415 362 Rushing yards 186 159 Passing yards 229 203 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 35:43 24:17
Team Category Player StatisticsRice Passing AJ Padgett 13/22, 229 yards, TD, INT Rushing Juma Otoviano 14 rushes, 94 yards Receiving Braylen Walker 4 receptions, 77 yards, TDNorth Texas Passing Austin Aune 16/29, 203 yards, 2 TD Rushing Ikaika Ragsdale 17 rushes, 122 yards, TD Receiving Ikaika Ragsdale 5 receptions, 59 yards, TD
Vs. Southern Miss (LendingTree Bowl)
References