Everything Rice did, UTEP matched. Every time the Owls gained an advantage in the final three quarters, the Miners always responded with a tie, but never a lead. UTEP’s last response was a Gavin Baechle field goal with 2:35 remaining.
But the Owls took full advantage of those 155 seconds to ensure there would be no UTEP response for once. First, Rice overcame a 2nd and 20 created by penalties with two crucial completions by TJ McMahon. The second of those completions, a 20-yard strike to Isaiah Esdale, pushed the Owls into the fringe of field goal range.