The Texas State Bobcats defeated the Rice Owls 45-21 in the First Responder Bowl on Tuesday.
Texas State took home the win after a tough first half that saw the two teams in a tight contest. Following halftime, the Bobs took control of the game and secured a massive season-ending victory.
The game began with a back-and-forth contest that saw the Bobcats manage just a three-point lead at halftime, 24-21 on a buzzer-beater from Texas State kicker Mason Shipley from 31 yards after the Bobcats were unable to get the ball in the endzone.
Things went downhill fast for the Owls on the second-half kick-off. Rice was receiving, but fumbled the ball, setting up the Bobcats with a short field opportunity. Nash Jones punched in a three-yarder to extend the lead to 10 points.
The next drive for the Owls ended in an interception return for six points. Brian Holloway made the pick on an ill-advised throw short over the middle by Rice’s AJ Padgett. In the fourth quarter, Jahmyl Jeter would add a 1-yard run to pad the score.
Bobcats quarterback TJ Finley recorded a 15-29 passing game, hitting for 152 yards. Padgett tossed 21-for-85 yards, but also added three interceptions. Turnovers were a significant contributor to the runaway victory.
“Going to a bowl game, that’s great. But winning a bowl game, that’s what matters,” first-year Texas State coach G.J. Kinne said, reported CBS. “Everything’s better. Your ring’s bigger. You remember it forever.”
“I feel like when I took the job everyone talked about the sleeping giant. Well, I think … it’s awake.”
“If you take away the seven turnovers, you probably have a pretty close football game and a chance to win it,” said Mike Bloomgren, coach of the Owls, per CBS. “You can’t take those away.”
Both teams will face an offseason that sees numerous players entering the transfer portal, while only a handful will be eligible for the NFL draft in the spring.
