Freshman Jaxon Shipley caught a touchdown pass on a trick play and Fozzy Whittaker scored twice in the fourth quarter as Texas shook off a slow start for a 34-9 season-opening win over Rice on Saturday night.
Shipley, the younger brother of Texas career receptions leader Jordan Shipley, put the Longhorns ahead 20-9 in the third on a pass from wide receiver John Harris.
Garrett Gilbert passed for 239 yards, with 115 going to Mike Davis in Texas' new offense under first-year coordinator Bryan Harsin. Coach Mack Brown overhauled his staff after the Longhorns went 5-7 and missed a bowl in 2010, Texas' first losing season since 1997.
The Longhorns have beaten Rice in 40 of the last 41 meetings.
Chris Boswell kicked three field goals for Rice.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
