Irish Illustrated Preview: Rice (1-0) @ No. 3 Notre Dame (1-0)
- Rice used Jacurri Brown and Gael Ochoa at quarterback in its opener. Scott Abell's triple-option offense includes shotgun and pistol looks, and rushed 70 times for 465 yards against FCS Houston Christian while the two QBs combined for four completions and 28 yards on 10 attempts. This supports a run-heavy scouting profile without guaranteeing the same production at Notre Dame.
- Rice RB/slotback and returner Quinton Jackson was injured against Houston Christian, according to the preview. It identifies a potential loss to both the offense and return game but gives no diagnosis, formal availability designation or return timetable. His earlier rushing production should not be treated as confirmation he will play at Notre Dame.
- Rice returns only three defensive starters and lost all four secondary starters from 2025, the preview reports. Last season's defense allowed 4.65 yards per rush and 8.3 yards per pass attempt; those are historical baselines for a changed unit, not 2026 results. The opener's 244 yards allowed against FCS Houston Christian is a different level of test from Notre Dame.
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- Injury: Rice head coach Scott Abell provides update on RB Quinton Jackson: "It does appear right now to be a significant injury."
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