Rice hands Marshall first loss 20-0

Rice was offended when Marshall’s offense stayed on the field on fourth down inside the Owls’ 30-yard line on the first series.

The Rice defense held — and then took its frustrations out on the Thundering Herd.

Naeem Smith returned one of five Marshall interceptions for a score and visiting Rice shocked the No. 21 Thundering Herd 20-0 on Saturday to hand them a first loss.

The three-touchdown underdog Owls (2-2, 2-2 Conference USA) beat a ranked opponent for the first time since 1997 despite being without their two top weapons.

Rice was missing quarterback Mike Collins and leading wide receiver Austin Trammell, who were injured. Backup quarterback JoVoni Johnson had not attempted a pass this season. But the Owls’ ground game ate up clock time against the nation’s top rushing defense.

Marshall redshirt freshman Grant Wells had his worst game of the season. His five interceptions topped his season total of four.

No. 24 Tulsa 19, at Navy 6: The Golden Hurricane (6-1, 6-0) squelched the Midshipmen’s triple option and used a tie-breaking 66-yard touchdown pass from Zach Smith to Josh Johnson to win their sixth straight and earn a spot in the American Athletic Conference title game for the first time.

San Diego State 29, Colorado State 17: Jordan Byrd had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, BJ Busbee scored on a 90-yard punt return, and Matt Araiza kicked a career-high five field goals for the Aztecs (4-3, 4-2 Mountain West) at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.