Western Michigan falls to Rice, 38-14

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 31, 2008

By Staff
HOUSTON – The Texas Bowl was touted as a game between a pair of high-powered offenses.
Unfortunately for sports fans, only one offense showed up Tuesday night at the Texas Bowl.
Rice was all that it was advertised as it rolled up a 31-0 lead through three quarters and went on to defeat Western Michigan University 38-14.
The Broncos never had a chance.
Western Michigan (9-4) got off to a slow start against the Owls and never recovered.
The Broncos rushed for just 21 yards in the opening half and Tim Hiller had just 69 yards through the air.
On the flip side, Rice's Chase Clement threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns as the Owls won their first bowl game in 54 years.
Western Michigan was playing in its second straight bowl game, but only the fourth in school history.
The Broncos are now 0-4 in bowl games.
Hiller threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to keep the Broncos from being shut out.
Kirk Elsworth and Scheider Julien were the recipients of those throws as Hiller finished with 198 yards.
Brandon West had 56 yards on the ground for WMU.