Rice beats UTEP, reaches 5 wins for first time since 2015

Nov 3, 2022, 7:53 AM | Updated: 8:03 pm

Rice quarterback TJ McMahon (7) throws a pass as UTEP defensive end Praise Amaewhule (23) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Rice coach Mike Bloomgren disputes a penalty call during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against UTEP on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, middle, is tackled by UTEP linebacker Cal Wallerstedt, cornerback Amier Boyd-Matthews and safety Ty'Reke James, from left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

UTEP wide receiver Tyrin Smith makes a reception against Rice during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Rice running back Dean Connors (0) looks to avoid the tackle attempt by UTEP defensive end Jadrian Taylor (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

UTEP coach Dana Dimel walks along the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Rice on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison (2) passes the ball while under pressure from Rice defensive end Trey Schuman (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Rice quarterback TJ McMahon, center, and fullback Micah Barnett, right, celebrate a touchdown by McMahon against UTEP during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. At left is tight end Jack Bradley. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Rice wide receiver Bradley Rozner (2) pushes off the tackle attempt by UTEP safety Ty'Reke James (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

HOUSTON (AP) — TJ McMahon threw for a career-high 334 yards, including a go-ahead 23-yard touchdown to Bradley Rozner with 25 seconds left, and Rice edged UTEP 37-30 on Thursday night.

Rice (5-4, 3-2 Conference USA) reached five wins in a season for the first time since 2015.

UTEP backup QB Calvin Brownholtz ran for a 25-yard score to tie the game at 27-all with 11:17 left in the fourth quarter. The teams traded field goals with UTEP tying it with 2:35 left.

Rice used back-to-back 13-yard plays to get to midfield and McMahon later found Rozner in the corner of the end zone for their sixth connection of the game.

McMahon was 21 of 31 with two touchdowns and one interception, and Rozner had 142 receiving yards and a score. Christian VanSickle made field goals of 43, 21 and 38.

Brownholtz was 7-of-10 passing for 56 yards and he carried it eight times for 64 yards for UTEP (4-6, 2-4). Gavin Baechle also made three field goals, with a long of 51.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE - Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago