Prairie View, Rice to meet in 2018

(STATS) - There were enough offensive fireworks between Prairie View A&M and Rice last season that they're going to play against next year.

They will open the 2018 season on Aug. 25 with a matchup at Rice in Houston.

The two schools are located about 50 miles apart. Last year, Rice defeated Prairie View A&M 65-44.

"It's a great game for us to open the 2018 season," Prairie View coach Willie Simmons said. "Anytime we can play FBS teams in our area, it helps us.

"It will be a good measuring stick for us and a good gauge for where we are as a team to start the season."

Prairie View finished 7-4 last year in Simmons' second season with the SWAC program.