![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27466364.jpg\")
Oct 31, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Rice Owls quarterback Chase Jenkins (4) is sacked by Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Pooda Walker (99) in the first quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nFrank Peasant tallied three of Memphis’ five rushing scores, the defense held Rice to 212 yards, and the No. 25 Tigers kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive Friday with a 38-14 Halloween night rout of the Owls in Houston. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Peasant, who entered with three total touchdowns on the year, found paydirt three times in the first half as two-TD favorite Memphis (8-1, 4-1 American) led by 24 at halftime and was never challenged by the Owls (4-5, 1-4). <\/p>\n<\/section>\n The second-place Tigers still have matchups against Tulane next Friday, at East Carolina and versus conference-leading Navy on Nov. 27 in their chase for the CFP, which releases its first rankings on Tuesday night. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Quarterback Brendon Lewis went 18 of 22 for 225 yards. He carried the ball 12 times for a game-high 87 yards and a score but left with an injury in the fourth quarter. Cortez Braham Jr. had three receptions for 66 yards. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Defensive back Omarion Cooper grabbed an interception, his first in three seasons.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Memphis’ defense held Rice to seven drives of three plays or less, had 11 tackles for loss and limited the Owls to 3-of-15 on third-down conversions.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Rice quarterback Chase Jenkins was 11 of 16 for 100 yards, a TD and a pick. Aaron Turner caught the lone score as part of his 29-yard showing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After producing a three-and-out on Rice’s first series, the visitors took over, and Lewis had a big third-down conversion with a 30-yard pass to Braham. Lewis broke three tackles on an 18-yard rambling TD. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Defensive back Kamari Wilson forced and recovered a fumble on a backwards pass that was originally called incomplete but overturned on review. Memphis soon made it 14-0 on Frank Peasant’s 2-yard run at 2:34 of the first quarter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Peasant added a second short score at 12:25 of the second quarter before notching another with 7:54 left in the half to make it 28-0.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Turner put Rice on the board with a 12-yard catch from Jenkins, but Gianni Spetic’s 37-yard field goal left Memphis with a commanding 31-7 edge at the break. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n Greg Desrosiers Jr. had Memphis’ fifth score in the third, and Rice’s Tyvonn Byars (43 receiving yards) notched his first career TD on a short run with 3:28 left. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n