Louisiana Drops Nail-Biter to Rice in Opener

Louisiana had a tough Week 1 outing, losing to Rice 14-12 to begin the 2025 campaign Saturday night.

After a crushing loss in the Sun Belt Championship to end last season, Louisiana (UL) welcomed the Rice Owls into the newly-renovated Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium (Formerly Cajun Field) to open the 2025 college football season.

With a quick 3 and out and a short punt by the Owls, the Cajuns’ were the first to strike, knocking through a 47-yard field goal by kicker Tony Sterner. However, offense would be at a premium for UL in the first half with only 90 total yards and two turnovers.

Rice would quickly answer back with a score of their own, utilizing the option to march 72-yards down the field in 13 plays. Capping off the drive with a rushing touchdown by Rice’s Quinton Jackson. Jackson would finish the contest with 119 yards on 22 carries to go along with the touchdown.

Turnover troubles hit UL quarterback Walker Howard as he would turn the ball over on back-to-back drives. One by way of interception by Rice’s Jake Cane and the other a strip sack by Tony Anyanwu. The Owls would capitalize on the strip sack by taking the ball 66-yards on eight plays, ending with a 17-yard rush touchdown by Aaron Turner.

UL didn’t go quietly into the break, knocking down a 51-yard field goal to make the score 14-6 heading into the break.

Things started to get interesting after halftime.

After trading punts to begin the half, a once thought dormmate UL offense exploded. Marching 98-yards on 11 plays, with the cherry on top being a 25-yard rushing touchdown by UL’s Walker Howard. Following the failed 2-point conversion, the score sat at 14-12 in favor of the Owls.

Now a steady Rice offence seemed to have gone silent in the second half, as they would punt away 4 of their 5 possessions with their final possession being a turnover on downs with 1:56 left to play. This gave Louisiana a shot, only needing a field goal to win it.

Ultimately, after some early success in the drive with some help from penalties, Louisiana turned it over on downs and couldn’t really move the ball after Will Howard went down early in the drive.

The Cajuns fall to 0-1 on the season and will be home in Week 2 to host McNeese.