The 1962 Rice Owls football team represented Rice University during the 1962 NCAA University Division football season. In its 23rd season under head coach Jess Neely, the team compiled a 2–6–2 record and was outscored by a total of 173 to 119. The team played its home games at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas, where just before the season John F. Kennedy delivered his "We choose to go to the Moon" speech.