The Rice Owls on Thursday became the second Houston college football program to reveal Oilers-inspired alternate uniforms this season, which they’ll wear during Saturday’s game against East Carolina (7 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
However, while the crosstown Cougars paid homage to the “Luv Ya Blue” era four weeks ago, the Owls will wear gray helmets that match the Oilers’ design from 1966-70 with red, white and light blue stripes down the center and an Old English “R” in the same colors on the sides.
This is fitting since the Oilers called Rice Stadium their home from 1965-67 before moving to the Houston Astrodome, where they played until they relocated to Tennessee in 1997. They later became the Titans, who are also set to wear Oilers throwback uniforms this season.
The Owls’ uniforms are complete with light blue jerseys featuring red, white and navy blue accents to further tie in their own color palette, white pants with a light blue and navy blue striping pattern down the sides and white socks with the same stripes as the helmet.
Surely, these uniforms will be a hit with fans of the NFL’s Houston Texans, who continue to clamor for light blue to be added to their color scheme despite the expansion franchise having no ties to the Oilers – aside from playing next door to the Astrodome.