By KYLE ROBERTS

Associate Sports Editor

It's finally over.

The 2004 football season drew to a close for the Bulldogs in Reliant Stadium in Houston after they blew out the Rice Owls 51-14.

The victory gave Tech a 6-6 overall record and 5-3 Western Athletic Conference record to tie for third place with Fresno State.

"This is a great win for us," Tech's head coach Jack Bicknell said. "To go 6-6 with the kind of schedule we played is pretty darn good."

Tech's defense held Rice's triple-option attack to 257 rushing yards; a much improved feat from last year's 672.

"The defense did a great job," Bicknell said. "Stopping that offense is a nightmare because you think you have the option strung out until the last second when you find out you don't. Tonight we were able to stop it enough."

The Bulldogs scored 35 points in the second quarter, thanks to superb defensive plays from senior linebacker Robert Burrell and senior cornerback Corey Brazil. Burrell recovered a fumbled punt attempt in the end zone for a touchdown, while Brazil returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown with three seconds left in the first half. The interception return was the second longest in Tech history.

"There were obviously some big plays we pulled off in this game, and especially in the second quarter," Bicknell said. "That's how we pulled away for the win."

Junior quarterback Matt Kubik turned out a solid performance by completing 7-of-11 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Eric Newman caught two of those touchdowns for a total of 67 yards, while senior wide out Tramissian Davis caught the third for 40 yards.

2004 WAC Offensive Player of the Year Ryan Moats finished the game with 68 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown. Moats ended the year with 1,774 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, both Tech records.

Senior safety Michael Johnson led the defense with 13 total tackles, while Brazil followed with 11.

The Rice victory came nine days after the Bulldogs traveled to undefeated Boise State and were turned away 55-14.

The Bulldogs kept the game close in the first half and only trailed 17-14 at halftime before Boise State ran off 38 unanswered points in the second half.

Kubik completed 14-of-29 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while rushing for 57 yards and another touchdown. Moats was held to 60 yards on 19 carries for the Bulldogs.

While Boise had its way with the Bulldogs, Tech did the same to Tulsa the week before in Independence Stadium in Shreveport 38-21.

Moats ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns, marking his fifth 200-plus yard game for 2004.

Kubik completed 11-of-26 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown to help propel the Bulldogs to victory.