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American college football season
The 1980 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season . In their third year under head coach Ray Alborn , the team compiled a 5–6 record.[ 1] [ 2]
The Owls' 17-7 victory vs. LSU ended a 13-game winless streak vs. the Bayou Bengals. It was Rice's first victory vs. LSU since 1966 , the last season the Owls were coached by the legendary Jess Neely .
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 13 at Clemson * L 3–1960,361 [ 3]
September 20 at Tulane * L 14–3540,321 [ 4]
September 27 LSU * W 17–741,000 [ 5]
October 4 No. 5 Texas L 28–4163,163 [ 6]
October 11 at TCU W 28–2415,226 [ 7]
October 18 Texas Tech L 3–1010,000 [ 8]
October 25 at Texas A&M W 10–652,449 [ 9]
November 1 at Arkansas W 17–1653,858 [ 10]
November 8 No. 18 SMU L 14–3423,000 [ 11]
November 15 No. 12 Baylor L 6–1626,000 [ 12]
November 29 at Houston W 35–729,950 [ 13]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1980 Rice Owls football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Pos.
#
Name
Class
DT
63
Tom Adams
Sr
DE
93
Dennis Berry
Jr
DB
25
David Darr
Sr
S
5
Michael Downs
Sr
LB
43
Lamont Jefferson
Sr
DB
40
Otis Mack
Sr
DT
72
Bryan Phillips
Sr
DT
75
Rodney Williams
Jr
LB
28
Robert Williamson
Sr
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
^ "1980 Rice Owls Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 29, 2020 .
^ "2020 Rice Football Media Guide" (PDF) . Rice University. 2020. p. 136. Retrieved December 29, 2020 .
^ "Jordan, Ariri key Clemson over Rice" . The Victoria Advocate . September 14, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Gumbo over Rice; Nickie Hall super chef for Tulane's Superdome cuisine" . Alexandria Daily Town Talk . September 21, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Rice upsets LSU, 17–7" . The Odessa American . September 28, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Texas steamrollers game Rice 41–28" . Sunday News Journal . October 5, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Hertel hurls Rice Owls to 28–24 win over TCU" . The Kilgore News Herald . October 12, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Texas Tech holds off Rice" . The Springfield News-Leader . October 19, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Fance, Sam lift Rice past Texas A&M, 10–6" . Tulsa World . October 26, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Late Owl uprising upsets Razorbacks" . The Commercial Appeal . November 2, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "SMU riddles Rice defense, 34–14" . The Marshall News Messenger . November 9, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Bears clinch SWC title in win over Rice" . Longview News-Journal . November 16, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Rice shocks Houston, 35–7" . The Tampa Tribune-Times . November 30, 1980. Retrieved November 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
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