Rice dismantles FCS-affiliate Texas Southern 69-7

HOUSTON — Dean Connors ran for three touchdowns, Taji Atkins ran for two more and Rice overwhelmed FCS-affiliate Texas Southern 69-7 on Saturday.

Connors ran for 113 yards on nine carries, an average of 12.6-yards-per carry and scored on two 5-yard runs and a 71-yarder. Atkins had 91 yards on 11 carries and scoring runs of 5 and 33 yards.

E.J. Warner threw for 189 yards, two touchdowns and had an interception for Rice (1-1). The Owls outgained the Tigers 533-87 in total yardage and scored a pair of touchdowns in the first, third and fourth quarters and three in the second. Rice built a 69-0 lead.

Texas Southern (1-1) avoided a shutout when Jordan Davis threw a 12-yard scoring pass to Kordell Rodgers with 14 seconds remaining.