Tre' Newton ran for three touchdowns, quarterback Garrett Gilbert was up and down in his first college start and No. 5 Texas overcame a slow start to beat Rice 34-17 on Saturday.

Gilbert, who threw four interceptions filling in for Colt McCoy in the loss to Alabama in the BCS title game, didn't turn the ball over in this one. Still, his day didn't go as smoothly as Longhorns fans had hoped.

Texas was stopped on fourth down at the 1-yard line on their first drive and settled for a 51-yard field goal on the second after another stalled drive.

They finally got going on their first full drive of the second quarter taking a 10-3 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Newton.

Then the defense got involved with a sack on Taylor McHargue that caused a fumble. Keenan Robinson returned it 10 yards for a touchdown to push the lead to 17-3 and Texas was on its way.