Texas State Bobcats Capture First Responder Bowl Title
DALLAS – The Texas State Bobcats secured their second consecutive win at the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, narrowly defeating North Texas 30-28 on a mild Friday afternoon at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Following their impressive performance last year against Rice, the Bobcats continued to show their prowess in this thrilling rematch.
Senior quarterback Jordan McCloud shone in the contest, throwing for 307 yards and one touchdown. The Bobcats, after trailing 14-6 early in the game, rallied to score 17 consecutive points, showcasing their determination and skill.
Despite the challenges, Texas State responded strongly when North Texas attempted to close the gap late in the game. Running back Lincoln Pare contributed significantly with an impressive 143 yards rushing, including a decisive 73-yard run that extended the lead once more with only 2:25 left in the game.
The Mean Green struggled without their starting quarterback, Chandler Morris, who had entered the transfer portal. Instead, walk-on Drew Mestemaker took the reins and delivered a notable performance with 393 passing yards, marking the second-highest total in First Responder Bowl history.
Mestemaker connected with teammates, including touchdowns to Miles Coleman and Landon Sides, keeping the Mean Green in the competition until the very end. However, a failed attempt to recover from Texas State’s late lead left North Texas with a 6-7 season record.
Conversely, Texas State finished the season strong at 8-5, marking a historic achievement as the first two-time winner of the First Responder Bowl. This victory also allowed the Bobcats to make a rare mark in their history against North Texas, breaking a long-standing 40-game series disadvantage.
As the Bobcats celebrate their victory, questions linger about the future of the Mean Green as they reflect on a challenging season.
Looking Ahead
Texas State Bobcats have set a precedent in college football, and fans will be eager to see how they build on this momentum in the coming seasons. Will they continue their winning streak?
For more on the latest college football news, readers can follow the developments across various teams and bowl seasons.
