http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php IMG_0009_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0009_2.JPG.html 10909 The view as we approached Reliant Stadium. (we avoided paying the parking, which was $20!) IMG_0011 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0011.JPG.html 10913 Our seats were quite good - only four rows back from the field! Here's Rice running some pregame drills. IMG_0012_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0012_2.JPG.html 10916 I've never been to Reliant Stadium before - the scoreboard, etc. is pretty darn big. I also like that Halliburton is a sponsor. Only in Texas! IMG_0013_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0013_2.JPG.html 10919 More Rice pregame action. IMG_0014_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0014_2.JPG.html 10922 The Texas Bowl logo was nice and all. IMG_0017_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0017_2.JPG.html 10925 My ticket! IMG_0018_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0018_2.JPG.html 10928 The MOB did a short pregame show. IMG_0022_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0022_2.JPG.html 10931 Rice runs on the field! IMG_0024_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0024_2.JPG.html 10934 Here's the opening kickoff! (guess I should have used a shorter exposure time...) IMG_0026_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0026_2.JPG.html 10937 The Owls get set to run a play from scrimmage. IMG_0027_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0027_2.JPG.html 10940 Rice scored first on a nice touchdown run by Chase Clement (the QB). I took pictures of the scoreboard periodically in case things went south for the Owls... IMG_0028_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0028_2.JPG.html 10943 Rice is close to scoring again! IMG_0031_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0031_2.JPG.html 10946 Rice: still ahead! IMG_0033_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0033_2.JPG.html 10949 Before halftime, the stats were pretty lopsided in favor of Rice. IMG_0034_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0034_2.JPG.html 10952 The players gather on the field shortly before halftime. IMG_0036_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0036_2.JPG.html 10955 The MOB gets ready for the halftime show. IMG_0037_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0037_2.JPG.html 10958 The Owls head to the locker room up 24-0! IMG_0039_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0039_2.JPG.html 10961 The MOB does their halftime show. Unfortunately most of the time they were facing the other sideline so they were a little hard to hear. IMG_0042_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0042_2.JPG.html 10964 Here's Santa delivering coal to financial executives :-) IMG_0045_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0045_2.JPG.html 10967 After the MOB, the Western Michigan band did their show. It was pretty standard stuff. They have a large and loud band...at least compared to the MOB! IMG_0046_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0046_2.JPG.html 10970 Carrie and me! Even though I look like I'm about to start drooling or something. Oh well. IMG_0050_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0050_2.JPG.html 10973 While the Western Michigan band continued to play, Sammy entertained the Rice fans. IMG_0053_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0053_2.JPG.html 10976 Rice gets ready to start the second half! IMG_0054_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0054_2.JPG.html 10979 Sammy leaped over the barrier to run through the stands. Woo! IMG_0057_2 http://gregstoll.dyndns.org/gallery2/v/texasbowl2008/IMG_0057_2.JPG.html 10982 By the end of the third quarter, Rice had the game pretty well in hand, and I even started to feel a little bad for WMU.