The Rice Owls held the SMU Mustangs offense in check and even had a lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Rice defense allowed SMU's offense to score 13 points to their seven in the fourth quarter to eventually fall 27-24. Rice had multiple chances to win this game as SMU turned the ball over five times but Rice was only able to take advantage of one of those turnovers when Cameron Nwosu returned a fumble for a 21-yard touchdown.
Rice slowed down the SMU passing attack and held quarterback J.J. McDermott for 179 yards on 16-of-25 passes, but the one player that Rice could not stop was wide receiver Darius Johnson had eight receptions for 123 yards and a score. Johnson was one of three targets to catch a ball. The running game came alive in the fourth quarter for SMU as Rishad Wimbley scored both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter and ended up with 115 yards.
Rice did get on the board with a touchdown to cut the lead to 27-24 on a Jordan Taylor 2-yard reception from Nick Fanuzzi. That touchdown capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive and down three with 1:43 left, Rice attempted and recovered an onside kick. However, Rice could not get get into field goal range and turned the ball over on downs at the SMU 40-yard line.