By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
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A United States aremed forces paratrooper lands on the field before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A United States aremed forces paratrooper lands on the field before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Chris Dawn Jr. runs toward the endzone after a catch during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A Texas State cheerleader runs off the field during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) holds up the championship trophy after the Bobcats won the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne holds up the championship trophy after the Bobcats won the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State running back Lincoln Pare holds the championship trophy after the Bobcats won the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Dorian Strawn smokes a cigar after the Bobcats won the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Malik Willis (20) attempts to tackle Aaron Turner (1) of Rice during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A member of the Texas State Strutters performs a routine before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Greg Burrell (9) and Amarion Atwood (23) celebrate a big play during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A Texas State cheerleader waves to the fans during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Kyran Bourda (90) and Torrance Burgess Jr. (4) run onto the field before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) scores a touchdown during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Greg Burrell (9) eludes a Rice defender during a run in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Emeka Obigbo (65) and Justin DeLeon (68) celebrate with Brad Jackson (8) after a touchdown during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) makes a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Kenard Snyder (12) tackles Quinton Jackson (10) of Rice during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
The Texas State Strutters dance in the stands during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) scores a touchdown during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
The Texas State Strutters dance in the stands during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Greg Burrell (9) eludes a Rice defender during a run in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Ty Stamey (18) is pushed out of bounds during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Amipeleasi Lang Jr. (99) makes a stop during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Brad Jackson (8) makes a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State maskot "Boko" awaits the Bobcats before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Brad Jackson (8) makes a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Jaylen Jenkins (5) tackles Aaron Turner (1) of Rice during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
The Texas State defense stops Tyvonn Byars (26) on a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Greg Burrell (9) makes a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Lincoln Pare (7) is stopped on a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A United States armed forces paratrooper lands on the field before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) scores a touchdown during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) is stopped on a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State running back Lincoln Pare (7) is stopped on a run during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Kamren Washington (8) celebrates a big defensive stop during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State fans cheer on the Bobcats football team during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Khamari Terrell (4) celebrates after a defensive stop during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Beau Sparks (11) makes a forward pass to Blake Smith (16) during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Texas State's Treylin Payne (29) and Amipeleasi Lang Jr. (99) celebrate a defensive stop during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
Teaxs State fans cheer on the Bobcats football team during the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal) -
A United States aremed forces paratrooper lands on the field before the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sprots Journal)
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Texas State defeats Rice 41–10 in Armed Forces Bowl
Texas State saved its sharpest football for last. After a sluggish first half, the Bobcats exploded for 31 unanswered points after halftime to overwhelm Rice 41–10 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday in Fort Worth, closing their Sun Belt era with a dominant performance and carrying momentum into an offseason filled with expectation.
