Kenneth Wahl Hatfield is an American former college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Air Force Academy (1979–1983), the University of Arkansas (1984–1989), Clemson University (1990–1993), and Rice University (1994–2005), compiling a career head coaching record of 168–140–4.
Rice University athletic teams are known as the Rice Owls. The name comes from the owls in Rice's crest. Rice participates in NCAA Division I athletics. A member of the American Athletic Conference, Rice sponsors teams in seven men's and seven women's NCAA sanctioned sports. Rice was a member of the Southwest Conference until its breakup in 1996. Rice then joined the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA, until joining the American Athletic Conference on July 1, 2023. The women's swimming team moved to The American in 2022 after C-USA dropped women's swimming & diving. Rice is the fifth-smallest school competing in NCAA Division I FBS football measured by undergraduate enrollment, just above the University of Tulsa's 2,756 and the three FBS United States service academies's approximate 4,500. Rice's rivals include the cross-town Houston Cougars.
The Rice Owls football program represents Rice University in the sport of American football. The team competes at the NCAA Division I FBS level and compete in the American Athletic Conference. Rice Stadium, built in 1950, hosts the Owls' home football games. Rice has the second-smallest undergraduate enrollment of any FBS member, ahead of only Tulsa.
The 2009 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Owls, led by 3rd year head coach David Bailiff, played their home games at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. Rice finished the season 2–10 and 2–6 in CUSA play.
The Rice Owls football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Rice Owls football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, total offense, and receiving, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Owls represent Rice University in the NCAA's Conference USA.
The 1953 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1953 college football season. Led by 14th-year head coach Jess Neely, the Owls compiled an overall record of 9–2 with a mark of 5–1 in conference play, sharing the SWC title with Texas. Rice was ranked No. 6 in the final polls, which were conducted before bowl season. The Owls were invited to the 1954 Cotton Bowl Classic, played on New Years' Day, where they defeated Southeastern Conference (SEC) champion, Alabama. The team played home games at Rice Stadium in Houston.
The Rice–Texas football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the Rice Owls and Texas Longhorns. Texas leads the series 74–21–1 through the 2021 season.
The 1940 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1940 college football season. In its first season under head coach Jess Neely, the team compiled a 7–3 record and outscored opponents by a total of 131 to 78.
The 1954 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University during the 1954 college football season. The Owls were led by 15th-year head coach Jess Neely and played their home games at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. They competed as members of the Southwest Conference, finishing tied for third. Rice finished the regular season with a record of 7–3 overall, and were ranked 19th in the final AP Poll.
The 1925 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1925 college football season. In its second season under head coach John Heisman, the team compiled a 4–4–1 record and outscored opponents by a total of 85 to 79. The team played its home games at Rice Field in Houston.
The 1923 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1923 college football season. In its eleventh season under head coach Philip Arbuckle, the team compiled a 3–5 record and was outscored by a total of 94 to 35.
The 1924 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1924 college football season. In its first season under head coach John Heisman, the team compiled a 4–4 record and was outscored by a total of 85 to 69.
The 1931 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1931 college football season. In its third season under head coach Jack Meagher, the team compiled a 6–4 record and was outscored by a total of 178 to 66.
The 1939 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1939 college football season. In its sixth season under head coach Jimmy Kitts, the team compiled a 1–9–1 record and was outscored by a total of 143 to 77.
The 1941 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1941 college football season. In its second season under head coach Jess Neely, the team compiled a 6–3–1 record and was outscored by a total of 167 to 121. The team played its home games at Rice Field in Houston.
The 2020 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Owls played their home games at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by third-year head coach Mike Bloomgren.
The 1965 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University during the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. In its 26th season under head coach Jess Neely, the team compiled a 2–8 record, tied for last place in the conference, and was outscored by a total of 248 to 123. The team played its home games at Rice Stadium in Houston.
The 1973 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. In their second year under head coach Al Conover, the team compiled a 5–6 record.
The 1982 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth year under head coach Ray Alborn, the team compiled an 0–11 record.
The 1993 Rice Owls football team was an American football team that represented Rice University in the Southwest Conference during the 1993 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fifth year under head coach Fred Goldsmith, the team compiled a 6–5 record.
