CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Jenkins threw for a touchdown and ran for another, Daelen Alexander rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns, and Rice beat Charlotte 28-17 on Thursday night in an American Conference opener for both teams.

Rice has opened a season 3-1 for the first time since 2001, when the Owls won six of the first seven. Scott Abell is the first coach to have three wins in his first four games of a career at Rice since Bo Hagan in 1967.

Jenkins was 8-of-11 passing for 87 yards, and he carried it 10 times for 71 yards. Quinton Jackson added 80 yards on the ground.

Charlotte’s first touchdown came with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter after Grayson Loftis’ 31-yard connection with Javen Nicholas. A successful two-point conversion capped the scoring

Rice had a key sack on each

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