Richard Dean

Rice has been outscored by 69 points in its three losses and looks to get off to a faster start against Charlotte.

Lance won the main event with a 7-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole, while Smith took the Super Senior flight by a stroke.

Rice has started its season 1-4 and is 0-2 in the American Athletic Conference going into Saturday's game against UTSA.

Now a full-fledged Conference USA member, the Bearkats are 5-1, drawing bigger crowds, and set to play Western Kentucky on ESPN2.

Pete Alamar, who will be Rice's interim coach after dismissal of Mike Bloomgren, says his focus is final four games, not becoming head coach.

Houston Christian has nowhere to go but up under first-year coach Craig Doty, who welcomes the challenge of playing at No. 14 Creighton on Wednesday.

After an open date, Rice faces UAB, which has struggled this season under coach Trent Dilfer.

Quarterback E.J. Warner led the Owls, who end their season at 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the AAC.

Running backs Tyvonn Byars of Lake Creek and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. of North Shore highlight a class that includes 10 players from Texas and two from California.

Sam Houston faces Georgia Southern in the New Orleans bowl in a matchup of former FCS/I-AA powers.