UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS (January 3, 2025) In an exciting finish, the Texas State Bobcats edged the North Texas Mean Green 30-28 in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Friday at Gerald J Ford Stadium on the SMU campus. Running back Lincoln Pare led the Bobcats with 143 yards on 21 carries, scoring two touchdowns. His standout moment was a 73-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, which proved crucial for the team's victory.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud also had a strong performance for Texas State, completing 26 of 35 passes for 307 yards. He threw one touchdown pass to Jaden Williams, who caught eight passes totaling 155 yards. This win marks the Bobcats' second consecutive First Responder Bowl victory, concluding their season with an 8-5 record.
The game began with Texas State taking an early lead through a 34-yard field goal by Mason Shipley. North Texas quickly responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Mestemaker to Miles Coleman. The teams traded scores throughout the first half, with Texas State holding a narrow 16-14 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Bobcats extended their lead with a 1-yard touchdown run by Pare. North Texas answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Mackenzie McGill II, narrowing the gap. However, Pare's explosive 73-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter gave Texas State a 30-21 advantage. Mestemaker's 70-yard touchdown run brought the Mean Green close, but a late interception sealed the victory for the Bobcats.
This matchup marks the second straight year the bowl features two Texas teams. North Texas is making history as the first team to play in the bowl three times. They previously beat UNLV in 2013 (36-14) and lost to Army in 2016 (38-31). Texas State, on the other hand, is playing in the bowl for the second time. They won last year’s game against Rice, 45-21.
The game also marks the 40th meeting between these two schools but the first since 1994. North Texas leads the all-time series 29-7-3. This will be their first matchup as FBS programs.
North Texas, led by second-year coach Eric Morris, averaged 34 points and 488.7 yards per game this season. Quarterback Chandler Morris has thrown for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns. The Mean Green are playing in their 15th bowl game (3-11 overall).
Texas State is led by coach GJ Kinne, also in his second season. The Bobcats scored 37.1 points per game and ranked sixth nationally in total offense. Running back Ismail Mahdi is just nine yards away from 1,000 on the season, while quarterback Jordan McCloud has 2,920 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. This is Texas State’s second bowl appearance (1-0 overall).
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl honors first responders like police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers. The event began in 2010 and has been held at Gerald J. Ford Stadium since 2018.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (January 1, 2025) The 2025 Allstate Sugar Bowl between the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been postponed following the terrorist attack in New Orleans. Early on New Year's Day, a truck drove into a crowd in the French Quarter, resulting in at least 15 deaths and many injuries.
The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Caesars Superdome, located near the incident site. In light of the attack, officials have rescheduled the game for Thursday at 3 p.m. CT. This decision was made to ensure public safety and allow law enforcement to secure the area.
Both teams are taking extra precautions. The Georgia Bulldogs are staying in their hotel under a shelter-in-place order, and all team members from both schools have been accounted for. However, reports indicate that a University of Georgia student was critically injured in the attack.
The matchup at this year's Sugar Bowl serves as a quarterfinal in the College Football Playoff. The winner will advance to the Orange Bowl to face Penn State.
In response to the attack, security measures around the Superdome have been increased to ensure the safety of players, staff, and fans. Authorities are working diligently to secure the area and provide a safe environment for the rescheduled game.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2025, All Rights Reserved) The LSU Tigers wrapped up their season in style, defeating the Baylor Bears 44-31 on Tuesday afternoon (December 31, 2024) to win the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led the charge, throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns as LSU ended their year with a strong 9-4 record.
The Tigers wasted no time making their presence felt. On their first drive, Nussmeier connected with freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green for a crucial 5-yard first down on 4th-and-5. A few plays later, Nussmeier found Green again for a 10-yard touchdown, giving LSU a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Baylor tried to respond, but LSU’s defense stepped up. Freshman linebacker Davhon Keys intercepted Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. That play made Keys just the third LSU player ever to score a pick-six in a bowl game. LSU’s lead quickly grew to 14-0.
The Bears fought back with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Josh Cameron, cutting the lead to 14-7. But LSU’s offense wasn’t done. Nussmeier delivered a 40-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hilton Jr., and the Tigers were back in control at 21-7.
Hilton continued to shine, hauling in a 43-yard catch that set up another touchdown. Nussmeier found Green for his second touchdown catch of the game, extending the Tigers’ lead to 28-7. The LSU defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs when Robertson was sacked by Whit Weeks and Sai’vion Jones.
Baylor showed some life before halftime. They blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt and scored on a Dawson Pendergrass touchdown run, trimming LSU’s lead to 28-14. But LSU answered right back. Zavion Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 34-14. It was LSU’s second kickoff return touchdown of the season, marking a first in the SEC era.
In the second half, Baylor tried to rally. They scored on a 4-yard pass from Robertson to Ashtyn Hawkins, narrowing the score to 34-24. LSU turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions, but Baylor couldn’t capitalize. A bad snap on 4th-and-1 gave the Tigers the ball back.
LSU’s offense found its rhythm again in the fourth quarter. Running back Josh Williams powered in a 4-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 41-24. Kicker Damian Ramos added a 43-yard field goal, making it 44-24.
Baylor scored one last time with a 3-yard rush from Pendergrass, but it wasn’t enough. The Tigers’ defense stood firm, and LSU secured the win.
This victory capped off an exciting season for LSU, who now looks ahead to their 2025 opener against Clemson on August 30.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 30, 2024) The Baylor Bears and LSU Tigers are gearing up for an exciting clash at NRG Stadium in the Kinder's Texas Bowl on Tuesday, bringing together two teams with plenty of history, talent, and momentum. Both schools are familiar with the Texas Bowl, with Baylor making its third appearance and LSU also visiting for the third time. The Bears defeated Vanderbilt 45-38 in 2018 but lost to Illinois in 2010. LSU's last trip to the Texas Bowl in 2022 ended in a 42-20 loss to Kansas State.
Baylor comes into the game riding a six-game winning streak. After starting the season 2-4, the Bears turned things around with victories over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, TCU, West Virginia, Houston, and Kansas. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson has been key during this stretch, throwing seven of his 26 touchdown passes. Robertson has 2,626 passing yards this season, completing 199 of 317 passes with just seven interceptions.
The Bears also boast standout players on both sides of the ball. Inside linebackers Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Thomas leads the team with 107 tackles, while Jones has 103. Wide receiver Josh Cameron has been a dual threat with 643 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Cameron’s average of 20.7 yards per punt return is the best in the nation for players with at least 14 returns.
Freshman running back Bryson Washington has been another bright spot for Baylor. He rushed for 1,004 yards this season, setting a school record for a freshman, and scored 12 touchdowns.
LSU’s offense will be led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is having a stellar season. Nussmeier has thrown for 3,739 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He needs 261 passing yards to become only the second quarterback in LSU history to hit the 4,000-yard mark in a season. Nussmeier has shined against non-conference opponents, throwing for 1,766 yards and 16 touchdowns in five such games since last year.
Freshman running back Caden Durham has contributed 693 rushing yards and six touchdowns, while LSU’s offensive line has been anchored by standout left tackle Will Campbell, a Consensus All-American. However, Campbell and right tackle Emery Jones will both miss the game after opting out.
On defense, LSU has a rich history of success under head coach Brian Kelly and will look to improve their 6-8 record in bowl games against Big 12 opponents.
This will be the first meeting between Baylor and LSU in 39 years. Baylor holds a 2-1 edge in bowl matchups, including a 21-7 victory in the Liberty Bowl in 1985. The game is also part of the Texas Bowl’s tradition of matching SEC and Big 12 teams, a streak that has continued for the past decade.
A win would be historic for Baylor, as the Bears have never ended a season with seven consecutive victories. For LSU, it’s a chance to secure their 31st bowl win and build momentum heading into next season.
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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA (December 28, 2024) The Army Black Knights capped off an incredible season with a dominant 27-6 win over Louisiana Tech in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on Saturday night. Led by head coach Jeff Monken, the Black Knights (12-2) showed why they are ranked No. 19 in the nation, earning their 12th win of the season, a program record.
Quarterback Bryson Daily (No. 13, above left) made history once again, scoring three touchdowns in the game. Daily’s 32 touchdowns this season set a new record for quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). He also became only the second Army quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards and pass for over 1,000 yards in the same season. He was also named the Offensive Player of the Game, by a vote of the credentialed media in attendance at Independence Stadium.
The Black Knights’ offense was unstoppable early, putting together three long scoring drives in the first half. Two of those touchdowns came from Daily, while running back Hayden Reed added another. The offense chewed up the clock, holding the ball for over 22 minutes in the first half. Reed had a career-best game, rushing for 114 yards on 20 carries.
Army’s defense was just as impressive, keeping Louisiana Tech out of the end zone. This was the third time this season the Black Knights didn’t allow a touchdown. Linebacker Kalib Fortner earned Defensive Player of the Game honors for his efforts.
The victory highlighted a season of milestones for Army. Along with their program-best 12 wins, the team also received the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football.
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| At the 2023 Independence Bowl, Texas Tech defeated California by the score of 34-14. |
This game marks Army’s first return to the Independence Bowl since 1996, while Louisiana Tech has the home-field advantage, with Shreveport only a short 69-mile drive from its campus. Army leads the all-time series between these two teams 2-0, with their last matchup in 2013 ending in a 35-16 victory for the Black Knights.
Army (11-2) is aiming to secure one of its best seasons ever. With 12 wins on the line, the Black Knights are motivated to end on a high note. However, they’ll be missing running back Kanye Udoh, who transferred to Arizona State after their recent loss to Navy. The team will need to find someone to step up alongside senior quarterback Bryson Daily.
Head coach Jeff Monken has done a remarkable job leading Army, posting a solid 81-57 record during his tenure. While his name often comes up for other coaching jobs, he remains a strong presence at West Point.
Louisiana Tech (5-7) is making the most of an unexpected chance to play in the Independence Bowl. The Bulldogs weren’t bowl-eligible this year but got the call after Marshall pulled out of the game. For head coach Sonny Cumbie, now in his third season, this game provides valuable extra time to develop his program.
The Bulldogs are coming off a dominant 33-0 win over Kennesaw State and hope to carry that momentum into Saturday. While Louisiana Tech’s rebuilding process has been slow, the team is showing signs of progress after two straight three-win seasons.
Army’s disciplined, run-heavy offense will clash with Louisiana Tech’s eager underdogs. For both teams, this game is about more than just winning. For Army, it’s a chance to make history. For Louisiana Tech, it’s an opportunity to take another step forward.
The Panthers started strong, scoring a touchdown early in the first quarter. Quarterback Chris Jimerson connected with wide receiver Quentin Gibson for a 75-yard touchdown pass, putting North Crowley ahead 7-0. Westlake responded later in the quarter with a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. However, North Crowley regained the lead before the end of the first quarter, finishing the period up 14-7.
In the second quarter, the Panthers' defense held Westlake scoreless while their offense added another 14 points, bringing the halftime score to 28-7 in favor of North Crowley. The third quarter saw both teams scoring, but North Crowley extended their lead by adding 15 points compared to Westlake's 7, making it 43-14. In the final quarter, each team scored a touchdown, resulting in a final score of 50-21.
This victory highlights North Crowley's strong performance on both offense and defense, showcasing their readiness as they advance further into the playoffs. The Panthers' ability to execute big plays, like the 75-yard touchdown pass, and their defensive efforts to limit Westlake's scoring opportunities were key factors in their win.
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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
ARLINGTON, TEXAS (December 21, 2024) The Vandegrift Vipers made history Saturday, winning their first-ever football state championship by defeating Southlake Carroll 24-17 in the UIL Class 6A Division II title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
The Vipers, now 15-1, played as a team all season, and Saturday was no different. Head coach Drew Sanders, who has led the program since its start 14 years ago, praised the team’s unity.
“These guys aren’t flashy, but they love each other,” Sanders said. “Every challenge they faced this year, they just said yes.”
Southlake Carroll (15-1) took an early lead with a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Angelo Renda to Brody Knowles. But Vandegrift answered quickly. Junior quarterback Miles Teodecki launched an 84-yard touchdown pass to George Farley to tie the game. Teodecki, named the game’s offensive MVP, completed 14 of 17 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior running back Brendan Fournier took over from there, scoring two touchdowns before halftime. He ran in a 2-yard score and caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Teodecki with just 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Fournier rushed for 160 yards on 28 carries and added 27 receiving yards.
The Vipers’ defense shut down Southlake Carroll’s running game, allowing just 53 rushing yards on 17 carries. Senior linebacker Scott Buchanan earned defensive MVP honors with seven tackles, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups.
Despite a fourth-quarter rally by the Dragons, Vandegrift held strong. Adam Scott led the team with nine tackles and a forced fumble, while Matthew Draeken and Jack Huerkamp each grabbed key interceptions.
“This means so much to us and all the players who came before us,” said Scott. “We got it done, but we’re standing on the work they started.”
The Vipers’ only loss this season came early against Cedar Park in Week 2, but they finished strong to claim the school’s first state football championship.
For the Dragons, Renda threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns but also had two interceptions. Receiver Brock Boyd stood out with 13 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS (December 21, 2024) Smithson Valley made history on Saturday, beating Highland Park 32-20 in the Texas 5A Division 1 state championship at AT&T Stadium. Junior kicker Trent Amaya was the star of the game, tying a UIL state record by making four field goals.
Amaya showed his skills early, nailing field goals from 27 and 35 yards in the first quarter. He followed up with a 24-yarder in the second quarter and a 30-yarder in the third. While he missed a fifth attempt in the final quarter, his contributions kept the Rangers ahead throughout the game.
Quarterback Cade Spradling was another key player for Smithson Valley. He rushed for 147 yards and scored two touchdowns. In the second quarter, he connected with Brody Day on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Then, with just 3:39 left in the fourth quarter, Spradling ran for a 4-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
Running back Brad Sowersby also had a strong performance, leading the game with 152 rushing yards on 22 carries. On defense, Julian Colunga made a big play, returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.
For Highland Park, quarterback Buck Randall had an impressive game, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Benton Owens for a 73-yard touchdown and Cannon Bozman for a 49-yard score. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Smithson Valley's balanced attack.
The win capped off a great season for Smithson Valley, finishing with a 14-2 record and bringing home the state title.
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The first quarter started slow, with both teams feeling out the wet field. However, Kilgore quickly found their groove. A fumble recovery on La Vernia’s 8-yard line set up Eddie Jimenez’s 22-yard field goal, putting Kilgore up 3-0. Minutes later, Keion Sanders ran in a 29-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 10-0 by the end of the quarter.
Kilgore’s dominance continued in the second quarter. Quarterback Kayson Brooks connected with Miles Applegate for a 30-yard touchdown pass, making it 17-0. La Vernia finally answered just before halftime with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing the score to 17-7.
In the second half, Kilgore didn’t let up. Isaiah Watters scored twice on the ground, while Brooks delivered another deep touchdown pass, this time to Devin Tinney for 65 yards. Kilgore’s defense stayed tough, with sacks by Applegate and Dré Sanders and a late-game interception by Jakalen Sheffield.
La Vernia added another rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, but their two-point conversion attempt failed. Kilgore capped off their night with Watters’ second touchdown and Jimenez’s flawless kicking performance, going 5-for-5 on extra points.
CYPRESS, TEXAS (December 12, 2024) The Shiner Comanches kept their championship dreams alive with a commanding win over the Bremond Tigers in the UIL 2A Division 2 football semifinals on Thursday night. Shiner’s balanced offense and tough defense proved too much for Bremond, as they secured a spot in the state championship game.
Shiner's standout performance was powered by their star running back, who continued his dominant season with multiple touchdowns. The team’s offensive line paved the way for a ground game that kept Bremond's defense on their heels throughout the game. Bremond, known for its own powerful running attack, struggled to gain momentum against Shiner’s disciplined defensive front.
The Comanches showcased their trademark physical style early, jumping out to a first-half lead and never looking back. Bremond managed to close the gap briefly in the third quarter, but Shiner responded with a long touchdown drive to put the game out of reach.
For Bremond, their playoff journey ends after a stellar season marked by a 10-game winning streak heading into the semifinals. Despite the loss, standout performances from running back Terrence Scott and wide receiver Tristan Morehead kept the Tigers competitive against one of the state’s top teams.
Shiner, now boasting a 12-game win streak, advances to face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the state championship. With their powerful run game and championship pedigree, the Comanches look poised for another title run.
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| North Shore will face Atascocita in the Region III final on Dec. 7. Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved |
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 29, 2024) The North Shore Mustangs proved their strength in a 42-28 victory over the Katy Tigers during the Class 6A Division I Region III semifinals at NRG Stadium. While the game wasn’t perfect for North Shore, their resilience and star power made the difference.
The Mustangs (13-0) faced challenges, including penalties and turnovers, but quarterback Kaleb Bailey’s 300 passing yards and five touchdowns fueled the win. Wide receiver Quanell X Farrakhan Jr. electrified the game with big punt returns and a 51-yard touchdown catch before halftime. Running back D’Andre Hardeman Jr. added over 100 rushing yards, while cornerback Devin Sanchez led the defense, forcing two key turnovers.
North Shore’s 80th playoff win secured their 10th straight regional championship appearance.
Next, North Shore will face Atascocita on Dec. 7 at Thorne Stadium in a battle of district rivals. The Mustangs have dominated this matchup, winning the last nine meetings.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 27, 2024) The Houston Christian University Huskies started strong but couldn’t hold off a second-half comeback by Northern Arizona University (NAU), losing 74-71 on Thanksgiving Eve at Sharp Gymnasium. The Huskies led by two with less than two minutes left, but NAU’s Trenton McLaughlin hit a game-winning three-pointer with two seconds remaining.
HCU came out firing, building a 24-8 lead midway through the first half, thanks to a 15-point burst by Elijah Brooks. Julian Mackey joined in, helping the Huskies stretch their lead to 40-23 at halftime. HCU shot 60% in the first half while holding NAU to just 33%.
The second half, however, belonged to the Lumberjacks. A 17-2 run cut HCU’s lead to 57-53 with 10 minutes left. NAU’s hot shooting continued, and they tied the game late. Mackey’s jumper briefly gave HCU the lead, but McLaughlin’s step-back three sealed the win for NAU.
Despite the loss, Brooks and Mackey had career nights, combining for 57 points. Brooks scored 29 on 13-17 shooting, while Mackey added 28 with eight rebounds.
HCU falls to 2-5 after their third straight close loss. The Huskies will look to bounce back Saturday against UTSA in San Antonio, with tip-off set for 3 p.m.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 25, 2024) The Houston Christian University Huskies men's basketball team came close to an incredible comeback but fell just short, losing 74-73 to Eastern Michigan University on Monday night at Sharp Gym.
Down by 16 points with less than nine minutes left, the Huskies caught fire. D’Aundre Samuels led the charge, hitting four three-pointers in four minutes, pulling HCU back into the game. Elijah Brooks gave the Huskies their first lead since the first half with a fast break layup and a free throw, putting them up 68-67 with two minutes left.
But EMU didn’t back down. Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry helped the Eagles regain control, with Terry’s two free throws proving to be the game-winners. HCU had a chance in the final seconds, but Julian Mackey’s last-second three-pointer missed, sealing the Huskies’ fate.
HCU shot an impressive 51% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Brooks led the Huskies with 17 points, while Samuels added a season-high 15. Bryson Dawkins and Mackey chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
EMU, now 4-2, was led by Nelson’s 19 points and Terry’s 18. The Eagles shot 57% overall, and their free throws made the difference.
The Huskies, now 2-4, wrap up their homestand on Wednesday night against Northern Arizona University at 7 p.m. at Sharp Gym.
HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 23, 2024) The HCU Huskies finished their 2024 football season in style, beating Northwestern State Demons 62-24 on "Senior Day" at Husky Stadium. The Huskies put on a show with over 600 yards of offense, making it a game to remember for their fans.
The game started with a big play by the HCU defense. They stopped the Demons on fourth down and got the ball at the Demons’ 43-yard line. That led to a 23-yard field goal by Dillon Fedor to give HCU an early 3-0 lead. After that, the Huskies couldn’t be stopped.
Quarterback Cutter Stewart connected with AJ Wilson for a 32-yard touchdown, while Calvin Hill added a two-yard rushing score, and Darryle Evans broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run. Just like that, HCU was up 24-7 early in the second quarter.
After the break, HCU came out strong. On their first drive of the third quarter, Hill broke free for a 25-yard touchdown, capping a quick 79-yard drive. D.J. Harris then picked off a pass from the Demons and returned it to the 15-yard line. Stewart took advantage, hitting Deuce McMillan for an 11-yard touchdown. The Huskies led 38-14 just three minutes into the second half.
In the fourth quarter, Stewart found Ismael Fuller for a 36-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 59-17. The Demons scored one last time early in the quarter, but HCU sealed the win with a long, time-eating drive that ended with a 27-yard field goal by Fedor.
HCU’s 617 total yards of offense was the fourth-highest in school history, and their 332 rushing yards ranked third. Calvin Hill led the ground game with 109 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Wilson had another big game, catching three passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth straight 100-yard game. Stewart finished with 296 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The Huskies’ defense was just as impressive, holding Northwestern State to only 211 yards and 10 first downs. Harris had nine tackles and his first career interception, while Joe Cadette added six tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss.
With the win, HCU finished the season 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Southland Conference. Northwestern State ended their season winless at 0-12.
HCU fans have a lot to be excited about as the team looks to carry this momentum into next year.
