Texas State will make its bowl debut since becoming an FBS school against Rice in the First Responder Bowl. It’s the first meeting between the schools since the Owls won in 1987.
Texas State features the nation’s 10th-ranked offense (470.8 yards per game) with QB T.J. Finley. Rice ranked in the top 40 in passing and red zone offense, converting 89% of its opportunities.
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The Owls will make their 14th postseason appearance and seek their first win since the 2014 Hawaii Bowl. It’s just the third time in school history they will make consecutive postseason appearances.
Texas State (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt) vs. Rice (6-6, 4-4 American Athletic) on Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m. CT
LOCATION
Dallas, Texas
TOP PLAYERS
Texas State: RB Ismail Mahdi (1,209 yards rushing, 10 TDs); QB T.J. Finley 3,287 yards passing 24 TDs); LB Brian Holloway, (98 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, two interceptions).
Rice: QB J.T. Daniels (2,443 yards passing, 21 TDs, 63% completion rate); RB Dean Connors (707 yards rushing, 6.7 yards per carry, five TDs); S Plae Wyatt (77 tackles).
NOTABLE
Texas State ranks 10th nationally in total offense (470.8 yards per game), including 22nd in passing (280.8). The Bobcats beat Baylor 42-31 in the opener for their first win over a Power Five school.
Rice is 38th nationally in passing (264.2 yards per game) and 35th in red zone offense (89%), converting 40 of 45 chances with 26 TDs.
LAST TIME
Rice won 38-28 in 1987 to even the series 2-2.
BOWL HISTORY
Texas State is making its first bowl appearance despite being eligible in 2013 and ‘14 after joining the Sun Belt Conference.
Rice is 7-6 in bowls and seeks its first win since beating Fresno State 30-6 in the 2014 Hawaii Bowl. The Owls fell 38-24 to Southern Miss in last year’s Lending Tree Bowl.