Texas State University celebrated a landmark victory at the First Responder Bowl, defeating Rice University 45-21 in what was both their first FBS bowl game appearance and win in the program's history. The event, hosted at SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium, drew a significant crowd, with 26,542 fans in attendance, surpassing any home game crowd for SMU in the same venue this year. The Bobcats, who ended the season with an 8-5 record, achieved their first 8-win season in FBS history under the leadership of first-year head coach GJ Kinne. Kinne remarked on the passionate fan base and the awakening of the 'sleeping giant.' The Texas State fans were so enthusiastic that they reportedly drank the stadium's supply of beer dry before the end of the 4th quarter. The victory was a significant milestone for the Texas State football program, which had its last 8-win season in 2008 as FCS members, and was favored by 4 ½ points ahead of the game.
On Tuesday, Texas State: • Played in their first-ever bowl game • Drank the stadium's beer by the 3rd quarter • Won their first-ever bowl game • Stormed the field • Drew 26,542 fans — a larger crowd than any SMU home game there this year https://t.co/3fJR3uH29H
/r/CFB Reporting: Texas State Drinks SMU’s Stadium Dry to Celebrate First-Ever Bowl Win and a "Fixed" Football Program: https://t.co/GGFqG00YEd
Texas State Fans Rushing The Field And Drinking SMU's Stadium Completely Out Of Beer Is How Every Bowl Game Should Be Celebrated https://t.co/p0SaEGI4pv https://t.co/fb81OEIO2m
“The way we came out, it was like a home game. We’ve got a very passionate fan base and I’m just proud. When I took the job, everyone talked about the sleeping giant. Well, I think it’s awake.” First bowl invite, first bowl win for #TXST. https://t.co/y19KgUZKXA
The First Responder Bowl had a little bit of everything. Texas State won its first-ever bowl game, fans drank the place dry in the third quarter, and the ref got caught cursing on a hot mic. READ: https://t.co/HPyd0zflKu https://t.co/Dyf9dAzhKs
“That was the message,” Texas State Head Coach G.J. Kinne said. “Going to a bowl game is great, but winning a bowl game is what matters. They went out there and performed. I thought the gameplan was really well put together.” https://t.co/lNXV27oyql
Texas State just did the following today: •First bowl appearance & win in program history •Drank the stadium dry halfway through the 3Q •Stormed the field •Had a larger attendance than any SMU home game @ Ford Stadium in 2023 Legendary showing by the Bobcats! https://t.co/AcS1lctppC
Texas State beats Rice 45-21 in the First Responder Bowl. What a season for first-year HC GJ Kinne and the Bobcats (8-5). First 8-win season in FBS history for Texas State. Last time the Cats won 8 was in 2008 as FCS members.
TEXAS STATE GETS THEIR FIRST FBS BOWL WIN IN PROGRAM HISTORY ON THEIR VERY FIRST ATTEMPT! https://t.co/qKfc3nM0se
Congratulations to Texas State fans. Not only did they win their first ever bowl game, Bobcat fans drank the entire Gerald Ford Stadium dry before the 4th quarter. Read: https://t.co/tsc1h2ZEaA https://t.co/MBEITbPma9
Oh yeah the First Responder Bowl is on tonight. Two Texas Schools playing at SMU, should be fun! Let me (an SMU fan) throw it on and see how it’s going and if they say anything nice about our stadium, field, or game day ops. https://t.co/qBi88sDb20
Cool to see Texas State reach its first bowl and bring a big crowd up to Dallas for the game.
It’s A Party: Texas State fans reportedly drink their side of the stadium dry at First Responders Bowl in Dallas against Rice. Read: https://t.co/tsc1h2ZEaA https://t.co/i959ie4kD0
It’s the first bowl game for Texas State and it’s safe to say that it’s going to be a home game for the Bobcat faithful. 🐾 https://t.co/irKtqOFHVs
Bowl Preview: #TXST is favored by 4 ½ points ahead of its first bowl game, but the Bobcats will face a #Rice program that has recent bowl experience and momentum after a late season push. https://t.co/ponKuEgqNx
I know all of you are PUMPED about the First Responder Bowl between Texas State and Rice. Here's my preview and pick https://t.co/SFIm0jK0yp