HOUSTON – The Rice Owls look to build on last week’s 32-31 victory over North Texas when they welcome the Northwestern Wildcats to Rice Stadium on Saturday. Rice opened up the season with a 34-17 loss to Texas, but their performance was better than anticipated. They had to rally last week against the Mean Green. Here is a preview of the match-up provided by the Associated Press. Northwestern (2-0) vs. Rice (1-1), 6 p.m. CDT Saturday (not televised) Line: Northwestern by 6 ½. Series Record: Rice leads the series 4-1. Last Meeting: Sept. 19, 1998, Northwestern 23-14. What’s at Stake The Wildcats look to improve to 3-0 after getting a 37-3 win over Illinois State last week for their largest margin of victory in almost five years. The Owls could match their win total from last season with a victory on Saturday. Rice finished 2-10 last year after starting the season 0-9. Key Matchup QB Dan Persa against Rice’s defense. Persa ranks first in the nation in passing efficiency and the Owls are giving up more than 394 yards a game. Persa is averaging more than 278 yards of offense a game and was responsible for three Northwestern touchdowns against Illinois State despite sitting out the majority of the second half. Players to Watch Northwestern: Persa. The junior has been solid in his first two starts. He is completing more than 86 percent of his passes and has piled up 462 yards passing. He is also Northwestern’s leading rusher with 95 yards. Rice: RB Sam McGuffie. The Michigan transfer leads the Owls with 132 yards rushing. He got involved in the passing game in Rice’s 32-31 win over North Texas last week by catching a 51-yard pass for his first touchdown for the Owls. That score was the longest reception by a Rice running back since 2006. Facts & Figures This is the first time Rice has faced a Big Ten conference team since a 27-10 loss to Michigan State in 2002. ... Saturday is the first of three straight home games for the Owls. They won’t play away from Rice Stadium until Oct. 9 at UTEP. ... Northwestern RB Arby Fields had a career-high 96 yards rushing against Illinois State. ... The Wildcats have scored in double digits in the last 36 straight games. ... Northwestern has grabbed at least one interception in each of its last six games.
