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The Rice Owls lost their season opener to Stanford 62 -7, which was the second straight stomping at the Sydney Cup College Classic. California crushed Hawaii 51-31 at last year’s inaugural event.

Sunday afternoon’s game (local time in Sydney, though the game was broadcast live on ESPN in Texas at 9 pm CST on Saturday) was a rematch between the two teams at Stanford last November where the Cardinal came out on top 41-17. Stanford again dominated the Owls in all categories, with 656 total yards of offense compared to Rice’s 241 yards and two turnovers.

If you are wondering whether Allianz Stadium had more Rice or Stanford fans in attendance for college football’s opening game in Sydney, the correct answer would be: the NFL.

Fans everywhere donned their favorite American football jerseys, claiming allegiances ranging from Dallas to Oakland to Green Bay and the rest of the league. Given the Stanford football program’s success over recent years, there were definitely more Cardinal supporters in attendance, some decked out in head-to-toe “Fear the Tree” gear, but all just wanting to catch a glimpse of American football and the tailgating scene.

Fans were treated to an ill-timed and oft-occurring cannon, which signaled every scoring drive, almost always signaling another score for Stanford. After the first half, most of the 33,181 fans grabbed a spot near one of the TVs broadcasting the highly-touted Mayweather/MacGregor pay-per-view fight. Fans could still hear the cannons just behind the TVs, as Stanford continued to run up the score while Mayweather neared his final victory inside the ring.

Many fans in Sydney said they hope the game will be an annual tradition. “Any chance to see American football is worth it,” one stadium passerby said.

Other fans took the opportunity to explain American football rules to friends and family. “The team has four tackles to make it to that marker,” a fan explained to his girlfriend as he pointed towards the first-down placard.

Stanford continued to dominate Rice the entire game, but the Owls avoided the dreaded shutout thanks to Austin Walter’s lone 23-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Thankful for experience

Lopsided game aside, fans who traveled nearly 16 hours and across continents for the game left happy and thankful for the experience abroad. Dallas resident Kim Whitaker, mom to Rice running back Collin Whitaker, explained this it was the redshirt freshman’s first time traveling with the team.

“This has been an incredible opportunity for him to learn a different culture and get a chance to see other people be excited about American football. He kind of feels like a celebrity as the folks here in Sydney are pretty excited about American football,” she said.

“The coolest experience I’ve had so far was visiting the Blue Mountains, which were beautifully majestic. It was so incredible to see the valley and incredible display of nature. The city of Sydney has been fantastic – they’ve been incredibly welcoming,” she explained, having traveled all the way to Australia with about 55 other parents from all over Texas.

Dian Walter, Houston resident and mom to Rice twin brothers Aston and Austin Walter (both juniors), travels to all the games, but Sydney is by far the furthest she’s traveled to see her sons play.

“It’s been a great experience being able to explore the city and meet some of the locals and to be here with my sons. It’s amazing to be here with my sons considering we have a hurricane in Houston. To be here together, that gives me peace knowing we are together,” she said.

Although the outcome wasn’t what Rice fans had hoped for, they were still treated to a beautiful and iconic destination and all can say they were part of the university’s first international football game.

“There’s going to be some great memories here,” Rice head coach David Bailiff said about the team’s overall experience in Sydney. “It’s not just seeing things like the Sydney Opera House, it’s watching their (the players’) faces light up when you see them interacting together and pointing things out,” Bailiff said.

The team concluded the press conference by letting everyone in Houston know their thoughts and prayers were with them as they were dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Harvey. Now they are headed to Houston, although it’s unclear how long it will take the team to get home.

Next up for Rice Football: UTEP in El Paso, followed by a Houston showdown against the University of Houston Cougars. No passport required.

This article originally ran in the sports and travel section of CultureMap Houston.

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The Rice Owls are opening their 2017 football season on the road with a home game —  and that’s certainly an understatement. The team is in Sydney, Australia, to take on Stanford University in the opening salvo of the 2017 NCAA Division One College Football Championships.

Fans from all over are clamoring at the unrivaled experience of watching American football in such an iconic destination for the second year in a row. Last year’s game saw the University of California triumph over the University of Hawaii 51-31 in front of 61,000 fans in Sydney.

Both Rice and Stanford have brought traveling parties of more than 200, including players, staff, sponsors, fans and cheerleaders, for the big game at Allianz Stadium on Sunday (August 27). Because of the time difference, the game will be broadcast live on ESPN, beginning Saturday night (August 26) at 9 pm CST.

“It’s a great day when you know the kickoff to a new season is finally here. Our players and staff have done an incredible job to prepare for this amazing opportunity to showcase our university and our game to the people of Australia,” Rice head coach David Bailiff said at a sun-soaked outdoor media event overlooking the famed Sydney Opera House Tuesday afternoon.

Bailiff took a look at the surroundings and said, “I think I’m changing where I’m going to retire, I’ve been here five hours and already I’m thinking I’ve got to consider Sydney. You look at the backdrop of this place, driving over here just the architecture downtown, how it’s so much old and so much new and it’s all blended. It looks like a good-natured culture that likes to have fun. Respect them and they’re going to respect you back.

“We’ve got some fun mixed in for these guys, hopefully we’ll get to the zoo we’re going to try to pull that off. But we’ve got to practice every morning. We’re here to play football.”

Although the game will be played in Sydney, the host committee is marketing it as an American event (American food, American beer, cheerleaders, mascots, marching bands, tailgate party and more) with the beautiful backdrop and sights that make the city one of the top destinations in the world.

Both teams arrived in Sydney a few days prior to the game (Stanford came in on

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Monday via San Francisco, Rice on Tuesday from Los Angeles) to experience the surroundings and, of course, recover from severe jet lag. They were officially welcomed by New South Wales deputy premier John Barilano, who posed for photos with both teams. The government entity is subsidizing the teams for their travel and expenses as part of a tourism promotion.

Game Day food details aren’t being overlooked

Paying culinary homage to both teams, fans can expect custom-made burgers and homemade donuts at the game. The Stanford Burger is based on California’s famous In-N-Out burger — a triple patty burger served on a Stanford red bun. The Rice Burger will be a double cheeseburger with pulled pork and BBQ sauce — like a true Texas barbecue style.

If you’re a fan with a sweet tooth, you’re still in luck. Try the Stanford Donut — a light and fluffy brioche doughnut, filled with salted caramel, dipped in dulce de leche glaze, and topped with sticky pecans and a red drizzle, or the Rice Donut — a brioche doughnut filled with sticky maple bacon and topped with an original glaze and smoky BBQ sauce.

Fans in Sydney will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of game-day experiences, including a Quarterback Challenge, and much more.

The game will be broadcast live across Australia on Fox Sports as well as in the United States on ESPN. Rice fans can follow along on social media with the hashtags #CollegeFootballSyd and #OwlsDownUnder.

This article originally ran in the sports section of CultureMap Houston.