HOUSTON – Revenge is a very powerful thing.
If there was any time that Rice could use that particular feeling to their advantage, it would be this weekend when they take the field against the Houston Cougars.
"I don’t think there has been a day that has gone by that I myself haven’t thought about that game and what they did to us over on that field (Robertson Stadium)," said Owls quarterback Nick Fanuzzi.
A 73-14 beating will do that to someone.
"It’s not surprising they’ve had a sour taste in their mouth," said Cougars safety Nick Saenz.
Last year, Houston scored a school record 59 first half points en-route to the most lopsided victory in the history of the Bayou Bucket series. Case Keenum had 323 yards and 2 touchdowns in just one half of play and Rice wasn’t able to get on the board until the 3rd quarter.
"That kind of memory doesn’t go away," said Fanuzzi. "We need to play the best that we can and give these guys the best game that we can and come out with a win."
"We’re a prideful bunch," said Owls head coach David Bailiff. "We’ve got to play our best to be in this one and we can’t have the mistakes we’ve continued to have all season."
Those mistakes have led to 4 straight losses, three of which came at home to Northwestern, Baylor and SMU. The Owls are 1-5 on the season and the players feel this pivotal game against the cross-town rival comes at the right time.
"At this point, if we can’t get up for a game like this I don’t think there is another game on the schedule that we can get up for."
UH on the other hand is looking to bounce back as well. The Cougars were humiliated at home by Mississippi State, breaking a string of 18 straight games they had won at Robertson Stadium. Freshman quarterback David Piland got the start in that game and either he or Terrence Washington should see playing time again against Rice.
"They’ve had some significant injuries during the year also and I think that has led to their lack of consistency," said Cougars head Coach Kevin Sumlin. "Whenever you have talented players like they do, they are dangerous at any time."
"We expect a physical game," said safety Nick Saenz. "They are going to come out and give us their all and we’re going to the same right back to them."
