Rice Owls @ Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Higgins explodes, Louisiana Tech cruises past Rice, 61-16
RUSTON, La. -- Ryan Higgins threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Trent Taylor become Louisiana Tech's career leader in receptions and the Bulldogs beat Rice 61-16 on Saturday night to become bowl eligible.
Boston Scott rushed for 132 yards and three scores and Higgins completed 18 of 25 passes for 292 yards and added 106 yards rushing -- including a 71-yard TD run that gave Louisiana Tech (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA) a 28-0 lead late in the first quarter. Taylor had seven catches for 131 yards and moved past Troy Edwards -- the 13th pick in the 1999 NFL Draft -- into first on the school's career receptions list with 284.
The Bulldogs had a season-high 735 total yards including four plays of 70 yards or longer: Higgins' 71-yard run, a 71-yard reception by Taylor, an 89-yard catch and run by DeJuawn Oliver, and a 70-yard TD run by Boston.
After Oliver's touchdown, Jonathan Barnes' PAT kick was blocked and Rice's Darik Dillard returned it 98 yards to make it 54-2.
Rice (1-7, 0-5) had just 33 total yards in first quarter.
Game Information
Ruston, LA
2025 Standings
| 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 |
| 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 |
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