Bowl season continued on Jan. 2 with the Armed Forces Bowl between Rice and Texas State, but the game featured a somber moment with a serious injury.
Rice's senior safety Daveon Hook had to be carted off the field in the second half after suffering a hit to his head on a play. The game was paused for several minutes as medical staff looked at Hook and waited for the cart to come out.
Here's the latest on Hook's injury.
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Daveon Hook injury update
During the third quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl, Rice safety Daveon Hook suffered an apparent upper body injury after getting hit in the head on a play. Hook needed to be stretchered off the field but was conscious and able to move his arms as he was loaded into the cart.
Rice safety Daveon Hook was carted off the field after this play. Pic.twitter.com/wQx7MacGO3
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2026
The game was stopped for around 10 minutes as medical staff attended to Hook on the field. Before Hook was loaded onto the cart, the senior's teammates surrounded him on the field in support.
Emotional moment in Fort Worth as Rice safety Daveon Hook is loaded onto a stretcher, with all teammates joining him on the field.
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) January 2, 2026
Was down for at least 10 minutes. Showing movement in his arms. Pic.twitter.com/qDno9DHGCQ
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Daveon Hook stats
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Tackles-for-loss | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defended | Forced Fumbles |
| 2022 | Rice | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Rice | 13 | 16 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 | Rice | 12 | 49 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | Rice | 4 | 20 | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Where is Rice University?
Rice University is a private school located in Houston Texas. Hook grew up in Cibolo, Texas, a town just outside of San Antonio and less than three hours from Houston.