Game Preview
On December 26, the Texas State Bobcats and Rice Owls will square off in the First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
In its past ten games versus Texas schools, Texas State has a record of 2-8. This is the first bowl game the Bobcats have participated in since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision. In head coach G.J. Kinne’s first season, Texas State has depended on a balanced attack, as the Bobcats rank 23rd in the country in both passing and rushing offense. The opening quarter saw some of Texas State’s greatest performance to date. The Bobcats have outperformed their opponents 83-36 in the 6 victories. But Texas State ranks 132nd (out of 133 teams) in terms of points surrendered in the 4th quarter and 116th in terms of scoring defense in the 3rd quarter. T.J. Finley, a former quarterback for Auburn and LSU, only had one other bowl game experience, losing against Houston despite throwing for 227 yards and one touchdown.
When quarterback JT Daniels arrived at Rice following stints at West Virginia, Georgia, and Southern California, it was a huge event. Daniels finished his collegiate football career with two games of 400 yards passing, but going into the bowl game, freshman AJ Padgett will spearhead the offense due to Daniels’ concussion. In his three starts, Padgett has completed over 60% of his throws for six touchdowns and two runs scored. That is something to think about before the First Responder Bowl in 2023. In the first quarter, Rice is ranked 25th in scoring defense and ninth in points scored per game. Rice has been more successful on the defensive side of the ball, placing 69th in the FBS with 152.8 running yards allowed per game. In terms of rush yardage per game (112.6), Rice is ranked 21st worst.
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Texas St vs Rice Game Information
- Date: 12/26/2023
- Time: 05:30 PM ET
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
- How to Watch Texas St vs Rice : ESPN
- Live Stream: Fubo.tv
