Graham strikes deal in contract extension
· Last Tuesday, head football coach Todd Graham's contract was revised to last through the 2012 season. While it is technically a contract extension, the deal only lengthens Graham's original deal by six months. The financial parameters were not disclosed, although Athletic Director Chris Del Conte confirmed that the new deal is more financially lucrative .
Rice Athletics scores with Graham contract
· Head football coach Todd Graham recently received a contract extension through the 2012 season. (See story, page 1.) Following the Athletics Department's usual protocol, the financial terms of the extension were not released, leaving fans in the dark as to Graham's compensation. Nevertheless, Rice should be commended for locking up the Conference USA Coach of the Year to a long-term commitment. Although as of now Graham's coaching reputation is still in the realm of "up-and-coming," a few more successful years at the Rice's helm should be more than enough to make him one of the more alluring coaching prospects in college football.
Owls halt five-game losing skid with 61-52 win at Tulane
· Coming off a 61-52 road upset of Tulane University, the women's basketball team hopes to get on a roll at East Carolina University Sunday at 1 p.m. Last night, Rice (8-8, 1-2 Conference USA) hosted Marshall University, a team that had won four of its last six coming into the game.
Men's basketball wins conference opener
· The men's basketball team opened up its Conference USA schedule with a 75-70 overtime comeback win at home over Tulane University Wednesday night. Rice (7-7, 1-0 C-USA) faced a 10 point deficit in the second half, but managed to overcome a 4-17 shooting night from senior guard Morris Almond to force overtime.
Bowl experience thwarts Owls, caps memorable year
· In its first bowl game since the Kennedy administration, the football team lost to Troy University 41-17 in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Dec. 22. Troy quarterback and game MVP Omar Haugabook put up 309 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns, four through the air and one on the ground. The Trojans (8-5), who averaged 22.8 points per game during the regular season, took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.