Clayton Tune completed 22 of 30 passes for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Alton McCaskill rushed for two TDs and caught a third as Houston walloped crosstown rival Rice 44-7.

The Rice defense held — and took its frustrations out on the Thundering Herd the rest of the game. Safety Naeem Smith returned one of five Marshall interceptions for a touchdown and Rice shocked the 15th-ranked Thundering Herd 20-0 on Saturday for their first loss. Marshall had not played in three weeks, while Rice was playing only its fourth game of the entire season. Marshall: The Thundering Herd were shut out for the first time since 2000 and for the first time at their home stadium. The Thundering Herd had been scheduled to play at Florida International the same night, but Conference USA announced Saturday that the game has been canceled.