| Scoring Summary |
| FIRST QUARTER | RICE | USM |
 | TD | 03:16 | Jarett Dillard 7 Yd Pass From Chase Clement (Clark Fangmeier Kick)
Drive: 3 plays, 10 yds, 1:24 | 7 | 0 |
| SECOND QUARTER | RICE | USM |
 | TD | 14:25 | Damion Fletcher 5 Yd Run (Justin Estes Kick)
Drive: 7 plays, 68 yds, 3:51 | 7 | 7 |
| TD | 13:34 | Justin Hill 54 Yd Run (Clark Fangmeier Kick)
Drive: 2 plays, 69 yds, :51 | 14 | 7 |
| TD | 03:20 | James Casey 2 Yd Run (Clark Fangmeier Kick)
Drive: 3 plays, 12 yds, 1:15 | 21 | 7 |
| THIRD QUARTER | RICE | USM |
| TD | 09:35 | Jarett Dillard 7 Yd Pass From Chase Clement (Clark Fangmeier Kick)
Drive: 4 plays, 26 yds, 1:25 | 28 | 7 |
| FG | 02:09 | Clark Fangmeier 36 Yd
Drive: 4 plays, 7 yds, :38 | 31 | 7 |
| FOURTH QUARTER | RICE | USM |
| TD | 10:17 | Marcus Raines 2 Yd Run (Damion Fletcher Run For Two-Point Conversion) | 31 | 15 |
| TD | 04:31 | Damion Fletcher 15 Yd Run (Stephen Reaves Pass To Tory Harrison For Two-Point Conversion) | 31 | 23 |
| TD | 02:46 | Shawn Nelson 8 Yd Pass From Stephen Reaves (Two-Point Conversion Failed) | 31 | 29 |
Rice 31, 
Southern Miss 29