Will Henderson III, Michael Petro help UTSA hold off Rice 16-14 in American Conference opener

HOUSTON -- , Will Henderson III had a touchdown run and Michael Petro kicked three field goals to help UTSA hold off Rice 16-14 on Saturday night in an American Conference opener for both teams. Petro kicked 32- and 53-yard field goals on UTSA's first two possessions for a 6-0 lead, but Jacurri Brown answered with a 38-yard touchdown run to put Rice up a point after one quarter. Henderson had a 12-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter and Petro added a short field goal for a 16-7 advantage at halftime. Rice had the only score of the second half, cutting the deficit to two points with 13:35 left to play on Brown's 1-yard scoring run at the end of a 20-play, 88-yard drive. But the Owls punted and turned the ball over on downs, running only four plays on each of their final two possessions.