Naeem Smith's 36-yard touchdown return on one of Rice's five interceptions helped the Owls defeat 15th-ranked Marshall University 20-0 Saturday in Huntington, W.Va., for the football program's first victory over a Top 25 opponent in more than two decades.
Prior to Saturday, Rice's last triumph over a ranked foe was a 27-14 win over No. 21 Brigham Young University on Nov. 11, 1997.
The Owls (2-2 overall, 2-2 Conference USA) recorded their first shutout since 1995 and their first against a conference opponent since 1973. Rice held previously unbeaten Marshall (7-1, 4-1) to 245 yards of offense, more than 200 below the Herd's season average, and the Owls' five interceptions were their most in a game since 2000.
On offense, quarterback JoVoni Johnson made his first start of the season and completed 10 of 14 passes for 86 yards. Ari Broussard led Rice with 19 rushes for 62 yards, and Jordan Myers scored the Owls' only offensive touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Smith's interception return came in the third quarter and closed the scoring.
Visit RiceOwls.com for more on the game and to view a photo gallery. For a roundup of media coverage, see today's edition of Dateline Rice.