By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Texas State is going bowling for the third consecutive season.
The Bobcats earned a berth in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl and will face Rice on Friday, Jan. 2, at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.
The matchup marks a rematch of the 2023 First Responder Bowl, when Texas State captured its first postseason victory in program history with a 45–21 win over the Owls. Texas State leads the all-time series 3–2.
The Bobcats (6–6) closed the 2025 regular season with three straight wins to secure postseason eligibility for the fifth time in its FBS era. Texas State finished the year as one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking eighth nationally in total offense (475.8 yards per game), 12th in rushing offense (220.5) and 16th in scoring offense (36.1 points per game).
The postseason honors followed.
Twelve Bobcats earned 13 All-Sun Belt selections, highlighted by first-team honors for Dorion Strawn and Beau Sparks. Brad Jackson received third-team recognition and is also a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, presented annually to the top offensive player with Texas ties.
Texas State enters the bowl season with a perfect 2–0 record in bowl games, with both wins coming in the First Responder Bowl against Rice and North Texas at Ford Stadium.
Rice (5–7) was selected to fill one of the 82 bowl berths after several eligible teams opted out of postseason play. The Owls are 7–7 all-time in bowl games and will be making their second appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl after defeating Air Force in 2012.
The game will air on ESPN. Fans can also listen locally on KTSW 89.9 FM.
Armed Forces Bowl
Texas State (6-6) vs. Rice (5-7)
When: noon, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth
TV/Radio: ESPN/KTSW 88.9 FM.
All-time series: Texas State leads 3-2
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