HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Buckley, Ofa Mataele, and Brock Lowry each scored rushing touchdowns as Western Michigan beat Rice 28-21 on Saturday.
Buckley ran for 117 yards on 13 carries for the Broncos (2-1), who have won two straight games since their controversial loss at Michigan in Week 1.
Lowry was 14-of-20 passing for 116 yards and a touchdown, and added 39 yards on the ground. He opened the scoring late in the first with a 5-yard rush.
Aveion Chenault reeled in a 34-yard touchdown on the Broncos’ final drive to put Western Michigan up 14-7.
The Owls tied the game at 14-14 with a third quarter rushing score, but the Broncos scored early in the fourth to retake the lead on Buckley's 1-yard touchdown.
Mataele also punched it in from the 1 inside the two-minute timeout for some insurance.
Rice got within one possession on Barry Jackson Jr.'s 22-yard reception, but with nine seconds left on the clock Western Michigan took a knee for the win.
Up next
Western Michigan: hosts Boise State next Saturday.
Rice: at Fresno State next Saturday.
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