Texas State overcomes North Texas at SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Story and photos by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

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.

For North Texas, quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a former walk-on, made his first college start. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 393 yards, throwing two touchdowns but also two interceptions. Mestemaker showcased his athleticism with a remarkable 70-yard touchdown run that brought the Mean Green within two points late in the game. Despite his efforts, North Texas was unable to secure the win, finishing their season at 6-7.

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.

Texas State and North Texas to meet in SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS (January 2, 2025) The North Texas Mean Green (6-6) and Texas State Bobcats (7-5) are set to face off in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Friday, January 3, 2025. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. CT at Gerald J. Ford Stadium and will air on ESPN. 

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. 

Sugar Bowl postponed until Thursday, January 2

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

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.

LSU downs Baylor in Kinder's Texas Bowl

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

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.