With Saturday's game under control, Rice gave the smallest player in the Football Bowl Subdivision a moment in the spotlight.

Rice handed the ball to Jayson Carter, a 4-foot-9, 135-pound walk-on running back, late in the fourth quarter of the Owls' 45-7 win over UTEP.

Carter, who has a genetic disorder that hinders his growth, took the handoff from the left of the quarterback, carried it to the right tackle and was brought down for a 1-yard gain.

"I did what I was supposed to … I didn't get negative yards," Carter said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Carter has worked with the scout team for three years but made his college debut against UTEP.

"That young man is here every day busting his tail on the scout team. He deserves it," Rice coach David Bailiff said, according to the Chronicle. "I'm thrilled we got Jayson into a Division I football game."

Carter, a sophomore, downplayed his brief appearance in the game. In high school, Carter ran for 18 touchdowns and more than 1,200 yards as a tailback, according to the Chronicle. He also played defense, making 92 solo tackles, three sacks and an interception at safety.

"When you practice every day, it's like clockwork," Carter said. "I wasn't really thinking about it. It's just one carry."