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NCAAF · Final

Notre Dame Dominates Rice in 52-0 Victory

Saturday, September 12, 2026, 3:30 PM ET · Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 52, Rice Owls 0, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Rice Owls vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish?

Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat Rice Owls 52-0 at Notre Dame Stadium on September 12, 2026.

In a commanding performance, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Rice Owls with a final score of 52-0. This matchup took place at Notre Dame Stadium, where the Fighting Irish showcased their dominance, continuing their impressive form in the NCAAF season. Notre Dame improved to a perfect 3-0 record, while Rice fell to 1-2.

The Fighting Irish entered this game on a remarkable winning streak, having won their last 10 games, with an average of 42.5 points scored per game and only 12.6 points allowed. Their recent form included a 41-13 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers just a week prior, and they have shown a strong capacity to score, particularly at home, where they maintained a flawless 6-0 record in their last ten outings.

In contrast, the Rice Owls have struggled with consistency. They came into this game with a 1-1 record for the season and a 4-6 record over their last 10 games. Their scoring average of 20.8 points per game was overshadowed by an average of 32.6 points allowed, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Rice's last game was a 31-3 win against the Houston Christian Huskies, but they have faced difficulties against stronger opponents, as evidenced by their previous losses.

Historically, this fixture has not been a close contest, and the trend continued in this meeting. Notre Dame's home-field advantage was palpable, as they have consistently performed well at Notre Dame Stadium. The Fighting Irish have an impressive home record of 6-0 in their last ten games, while Rice has struggled on the road, managing only a 1-3 record in away games during that same span.

In terms of injuries, no specific players were mentioned in the block, but the absence of key players can often impact a team's performance. Both teams were expected to field their best available lineups, which contributed to the anticipation surrounding the match.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Notre Dame heavily favored with a spread of -44.5 and a total set at 54.5. This indicated a strong expectation for a high-scoring game, particularly in favor of the Fighting Irish, who have been known for their offensive prowess.

Conditions during the game were not detailed, but typically, Notre Dame Stadium provides a challenging environment for visiting teams, with passionate home support often playing a crucial role in the outcome.

Viewers watching the game were likely to see a showcase of Notre Dame's offensive capabilities, with a focus on their ability to score quickly and efficiently. The Fighting Irish's recent scoring averages suggested they would put significant pressure on the Rice defense, which has shown weaknesses throughout the season.

Overall, this matchup was a testament to Notre Dame's strength in the league, while Rice continues to seek improvements as they navigate their season.

What we said beforehand

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter their matchup against the Rice Owls with a commanding home record of 1-0 and a recent history of impressive performances. They have won their last ten games at home, averaging 42.5 points scored while allowing only 12.6 points per game. This strong home advantage will be on display at Notre Dame Stadium, where they have not lost in their last ten games. In their most recent outing, Notre Dame defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 41-13, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid defense.

On the other hand, the Rice Owls also come into this game with a record of 1-0, having secured a victory against the Houston Christian Huskies with a score of 31-3. However, their overall away record stands at 1-3, and they have struggled in recent games, with a 4-6 record over their last ten outings. Their recent form includes a loss to the South Florida Bulls, where they were defeated 52-3, highlighting their inconsistency, especially in away games.

In terms of individual performances, Notre Dame's CJ Carr has been effective in the passing game, completing 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Aneyas Williams has also made a significant impact on the ground, rushing for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Meanwhile, Rice's Jacurri Brown has had limited success in the passing game, going 3 for 6 with 18 yards and one touchdown. However, Tyvonn Byars has shown promise as a rusher, accumulating 104 yards on 16 carries.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has set the spread at Notre Dame -44.5, with a total of 54.5 points for the game. The odds indicate that Notre Dame is heavily favored, reflecting their recent form and home advantage.

Weather conditions for the game are expected to be warm, with a temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit and no precipitation forecasted. Wind gusts may reach up to 14 mph, which could potentially affect passing and kicking games.

As the teams prepare to meet, viewers should watch for Notre Dame's offensive execution, particularly in the passing game, as they look to exploit any weaknesses in the Rice defense. Additionally, how Rice responds to the pressure of playing away against a formidable opponent will be crucial to their performance.

Odds

BookSpreadTotalMoneyline
DraftKingsND -44.5 54.5 o -108 / u -112 Rice Owls — · Notre Dame Fighting Irish —

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

  • Passing yardsCJ Carr16/20, 253 YDS, 4 TDNotre Dame Fighting Irish
  • Rushing yardsJonaz Walton8 CAR, 48 YDSNotre Dame Fighting Irish
  • Receiving yardsJerome Bettis Jr.2 REC, 61 YDSNotre Dame Fighting Irish
  • Passing yardsJacurri Brown8/12, 64 YDSRice Owls
  • Rushing yardsJacurri Brown16 CAR, 32 YDSRice Owls
  • Receiving yardsBarry Jackson Jr.1 REC, 30 YDSRice Owls

Recent form

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last 10: 10-0Streak W1042.5 scored · 12.6 allowed per game6-0 at home

  • W41-13vs Wisconsin BadgersSep 6
  • W49-20at Stanford CardinalNov 30
  • W70-7vs Syracuse OrangeNov 22
  • W37-15at Pittsburgh PanthersNov 15
  • W49-10vs Navy MidshipmenNov 9
  • W25-10at Boston College EaglesNov 1
  • W34-24vs USC TrojansOct 18
  • W36-7vs NC State WolfpackOct 11
  • W28-7vs Boise State BroncosOct 4
  • W56-13at Arkansas RazorbacksSep 27

Rice Owls

Last 10: 4-6Streak W120.8 scored · 32.6 allowed per game1-3 away

  • W31-3vs Houston Christian HuskiesSep 5
  • L3-52at South Florida BullsNov 30
  • L24-56vs North Texas Mean GreenNov 23
  • W24-17vs UAB BlazersNov 8
  • L14-38vs Memphis TigersOct 31
  • W37-34vs UConn HuskiesOct 25
  • L13-61at UTSA RoadrunnersOct 11
  • L21-27vs Florida Atlantic OwlsOct 4
  • L13-21at Navy MidshipmenSep 27
  • W28-17at Charlotte 49ersSep 18

Standings

TeamOverallIn conference
South Florida2-01-0
Memphis2-00-0
Navy1-00-0
Tulsa1-00-0
UTSA1-00-0
Rice1-10-0
Temple1-10-0
UAB1-10-0
Charlotte0-10-0
Florida Atlantic0-10-0
North Texas0-10-0
Tulane0-10-0
East Carolina0-20-0
Army1-10-1
Notre Dame2-00-0
UConn1-10-0

Box score

StatRice OwlsNotre Dame Fighting Irish
First downs724
Third downs2-127-12
Fourth downs2-21-2
Total yards128478
Net passing yards64360
Completions8/1225/33
Yards per pass5.310.9
Rushing yards64118
Rushing attempts3432
Yards per rush1.93.7
Penalties4-372-20
Turnovers40
Fumbles lost40
Interceptions thrown00
Time of possession27:4232:18

Win probability

Above the line favours Notre Dame Fighting Irish, below favours Rice Owls.

Venue

  • Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN
  • Attendance77622

Elsewhere

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Fixture data from the league feeds. The report was written from the recorded facts for this game and nothing else.