Houston, encouraged by key debuts, renews rivalry with Rice

Bayou Bucket: University of Houston running back to face former teammates at Rice in rivalry game

Dean Connors spent the last three football seasons with the Owls. Now he plays for the Cougars. That will add a twist to Saturday's game, which could be the rivals' last meeting for a while.

Houston, encouraged by key debuts, renews rivalry with Rice

While Houston coach Willie Fritz opened his second season with the Cougars last Thursday, there was enough change within the program to mimic the feeling of an altogether fresh start.

What the Stats Say About the Houston Cougars Rivalry Matchup vs. The Rice Owls

What the stats say about the Bayou Bucket Classic between the Houston Cougars and the Rice Owls.

Revisiting Houston football's half-century rivalry with Rice - The Cougar

77 years ago, in its third-ever season, Houston football faced off against crosstown Rice for the first time in a fall scrimmage before its 1948 season.

PREVIEW: Battle for the Bayou Bucket - University of Houston Athletics

The Houston Football team renews its rivalry with Rice as it takes the 3.9 mile trek, the closest distance between two FBS programs, on Saturday for a 6 p.m. kickoff broadcast on ESPN+.