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Texas looks for easier win vs. Rice

Sep 22, 2007 - 12:36 PM Rice (0-3) at No. 7 Texas (3-0) 7:00 pm EDT

AUSTIN, Texas (Ticker) -- Texas coach Mack Brown would prefer not having to sweat out a win for a third straight week.

Brown's seventh-ranked Longhorns return home Saturday to host lowly intrastate foe Rice.

Two weeks ago, Texas rallied from a 10-0 third-quarter deficit to beat TCU here, 34-13. Last Saturday, the Longhorns had an even tougher time, needing a late charge for a 35-32 triumph at Central Florida.

Ryan Bailey tied a school record with five field goals, Colt McCoy added a pair of TD passes and Jamaal Charles ran for 153 yards and a touchdown for Texas, which only held on after recovering an onside kick in the waning seconds.

While Texas improved to 3-0 with the tough road win, Rice slipped to 0-3 with a 59-24 home loss to Texas Tech, one of the Longhorns' Big 12 Conference rivals.

Chase Clement threw for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Conference USA program, which surrendered six passing TDs to the Red Raiders' Graham Harrell.

Texas is 67-21-1 all-time against Rice, including a 52-7 rout last year. The Longhorns have won eight in a row in the series since a 19-17 road loss in 1994.