Rice (7-3, 5-1 C-USA) has locked up a bowl appearance, but the Owls are still trying to lock down their defense.

Season-ending injuries to three starters -- linebackers Brian Raines (arm) and Vernon James (knee) and cornerback Brandon King (foot) -- have created a lack of stability in the lineup that has contributed to the unit's struggles.

"You're going to struggle a little bit when there's not continuity in the lineup," head coach David Bailiff told the Houston Chronicle. "We're still trying to teach people the positions. If you look, though, it's more technique; it's not people running wild. We've got to continue to work with what we have and get them better."

Teams have averaged nearly 37 points and more than 470 yards per game against Rice this season. Bailiff has tried to encourage the Owls to forget the past and move on to the next play after a defensive lapse.

"It is easier said than done," free safety Andrew Sendejo said. "In your head, you're always going to look back and think about how you messed up and how to fix it. But once you get to the sideline, you've got to put that drive behind you and look forward to the next drive, getting a three-and-out and getting the ball to our offense."

SEASON RECAP

Rice 56, SMU 27 -- Chase Clement had six touchdown passes, including three to favorite target Jarett Dillard, and an effective Rice defense forced five turnovers to spoil the debut of SMU head coach June Jones. The Mustangs jumped out to a 13-0 lead before the Owls responded with four consecutive unanswered touchdown drives.

Rice 42, Memphis 35 -- The Owls exploded for 22 points in the final 6:28, capped by a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Jammer with 11 seconds remaining. James Casey caught 11 passes for a school-record 208 yards and Chase Clement passed for 318 yards and one touchdown and rushed for two scores to lead Rice.

Vanderbilt 38, Rice 21 -- The Commodores outscored the Owls 17-0 in the second half in Nashville and snapped Rice's streak of six consecutive games with 30-plus points. James Casey (115) and Jarett Dillard (105) each topped 100 receiving yards and Chase Clement passed for 299 yards, but a defense playing without four injured starters wore down in the second half.

Texas 52, Rice 10: Colt McCoy threw four touchdown passes to become the school's all-time leader (62) and carried the No. 7 Longhorns to a lopsided victory in Austin. The Owls were outgained 600-318, including 259-17 on the ground. Jarett Dillard caught nine passes for 158 yards and a touchdown and Andrew Sendejo tallied 17 tackles for Rice, which lost to Texas for the 10th straight time.

Rice 77, North Texas 20 -- The Owls needed only three quarters to set a C-USA scoring record and quarterback Chase Clement and wideout Jarett Dillard broke an NCAA record for career touchdown connections (41). Clement passed for five touchdowns and ran for two scores and Dillard had four touchdown grabs as Rice recorded its widest margin of victory since 1944.

Tulsa 63, Rice 28 -- The Golden Hurricane scored 42 second-half points, rushed for 386 yards and took advantage of four turnovers and several special-teams gaffes as the Owls suffered their first conference defeat. Jarett Dillard became the NCAA's all-time leader in touchdown catches (51) and James Casey had TDs rushing, receiving and passing in a losing effort in Tulsa.

Rice 45, Southern Miss 40 -- Chase Clement passed for 444 yards and six touchdowns, and the Owls had three 100-yard receivers in their third straight victory at home. Jarett Dillard had 141 receiving yards and three touchdown catches for Rice, but he was outdone by Golden Eagles freshman, DeAndre Brown, who had 221 receiving yards and a conference-record-tying four touchdown grabs.

Rice 42, Tulane 17 -- Chase Clement passed for two touchdowns and ran for two scores, James Casey caught two touchdown passes and C.J. Ugokwe recorded his first 100-yard rushing game as the Owls routed the Green Wave at the Superdome. Tulane did manage to keep Jarett Dillard under wraps, ending the star receiver's streak of 11 straight games with a touchdown catch.

Rice 49, UTEP 44: The Owls gained bowl eligibility for the second time in three years and matched their best start in conference play (5-1) since 1960. Chase Clement passed for 372 yards and accounted for six touchdowns, and James Casey tallied 142 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns in El Paso. The Miners cut the deficit to five with 1:23 remaining, but Rice recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Rice 38, Army 31: Chase Clement tossed three touchdown passes to raise his career total to 87, breaking the C-USA record of 85 set by Houston's Kevin Kolb (2003-06). He also rushed for a 61-yard touchdown and helped the Owls establish a new school scoring record with 408 points so far in 2008. The Black Knights rushed for 461 yards.

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