Otoviano breaks loose for 2 long TDs, Rice tops ODU 27-13

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HOUSTON (AP) — Juma Otoviano busted up the middle for an 80-yard tie-breaking touchdown run and added another breakaway in the fourth quarter as Rice rallied past Old Dominion 27-13 in a Conference USA finale on Saturday.

Otoviano broke free for a 62-yard score on the first play of a drive to cap the scoring with 7:05 to play. His 224 yards rushing was a freshman record for Rice, which snapped an 11-game losing streak to end the season.

The Owls (2-11, 1-7) rushed for 275 yards on 77 carries while completing just six passes for 96 yards.

Until Otoviano cut loose late, the game was tight as the teams matched each other score for score.

Blake LaRussa completed 33 of 54 passes for 312 yards for Old Dominion (4-8, 2-8) but fumbled once and was picked off twice in the fourth quarter.

LaRussa was intercepted on the Monarchs' first drive of the fourth quarter and was sacked for a loss of 10 yards — by Elijah Garcia — to end the next drive. Otoviano scored the insurance TD on the next play.