Houston 31, Rice 26: Freshman John O'Korn threw for 281 yards and three touchdown passes in his first collegiate start, leading the visiting Cougars to a victory over the Owls to win the Bayou Bucket.

Deontay Greenberry went over the 100-yard mark for the second straight game, catching six balls for 146 yards and a score to lead Houston (3-0). Ryan Jackson had 144 all-purpose yards, with 87 yards on the ground and 57 receiving yards.

Turner Petersen had five catches for 102 yards for Rice (1-2). Taylor McHargue finished 21-of-36 for 232 yards and an interception and also rushed for 14 yards and a score.

Rice jumped on top just 2:26 into the game on a 57-yard pass from running back Luke Turner to Petersen, though the extra-point kick was blocked. The Cougars responded with a quick four-play, 75-yard drive in just over a minute, capped by Jackson's 1-yard touchdown run.

After Charles Ross scored midway through the first quarter to put the Owls up 13-7, Houston scored 24 straight points, with O'Korn completing scoring passes to Daniel Spencer, Greenberry and Jackson. A McHargue 1-yard rushing touchdown and a blocked field goal returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Alex Lyons pulled Rice within five, but after recovering an onside kick with 2:19 to play, the Owls turned the ball over on downs trying to drive for the go-ahead score.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Greenberry tied his career-high with a 61-yard catch in the first quarter. … Ross was held to 55 yards on nine carries one week after he had a career-high 157 yards against Kansas. … Houston now leads the overall series between the two schools 29-11.