Longhorns Start Slow, Pull Away From Rice Late In 34-9 Win

Austin, TX (Sports Network) - Garret Gilbert threw for 239 yards and a touchdown to lead the Texas Longhorns to a 34-9 victory over the Rice Owls in the season opener for the non-conference rivals.

Mike Davis gained 115 yards on three receptions for Texas (1-0).

Taylor McHargue managed just 79 passing yards on 14 completions for Rice (0-1).

There wasn't much scoring in the first quarter, as both teams managed a field goal apiece. Rice's 42-yarder by Chris Boswell was followed by a 39-yarder by Justin Tucker of Texas.

The Longhorns managed to grab a 13-3 edge in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Cody Johnson and a 23-yard Tucker field goal.

Boswell nailed a 49-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half, cutting the Owls' deficit to 13-6 at intermission.

With just over nine minutes left in the third quarter, Boswell drilled his third field goal of the contest, this time a 26-yarder that cut the Texas advantage to 13-9.

The Longhorns put together an impressive drive on the ensuing possession, marching 72 yards in eight plays. John Harris threw a 36-yard touchdown strike to Jaxon Shipley to push Mack Brown's team ahead by a 20-9 margin.

Fozz Whittaker put the game away for the Longhorns in the fourth quarter by reaching the end zone twice. After a seven-yard touchdown run, Whittaker hauled in a 26-yard scoring strike from Gilbert.

Texas finished with 506 total yards, more than double the amount amassed by Rice (224).