NEW ORLEANS — Texas State earned the first bowl victory in program history—45-21 over in-state foe Rice in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. 
 
The Bobcats, who were one of an FBS-leading 12 Sun Belt football programs to compete in Bowl Season, never trailed as they claimed the victory in their first-ever bowl appearance. 
 
Redshirt seniors running back Jahmyl Jeter and linebacker Brian Holloway capped their Texas State careers with multi-touchdown performances. Jeter scored the first two Bobcat touchdowns to finish 75- and 85-yard first quarter drives and added a third score in the fourth quarter. Holloway posted 36- and 48-yard interception returns for a pair of pick sixes—becoming the first player with multiple pick sixes in a bowl game in 20 years. 
 
Holloway’s defensive scores sandwiched a swing pass to junior offensive lineman Nash Jones, who showcased his hands and his speed to rush in for a three-yard score. 
 
Redshirt sophomore quarterback TJ Finley completed 15-of-29 passes for 152 yards, while sophomore running back Ismail Mahdi rushed for 122 yards on 24 carries. 
 
Defensively, the Bobcats tallied five interceptions, as junior safety Bobby Crosby, redshirt senior cornerback Kaleb Ford-Dement and senior safety Shawn Holton joined Holloway with takeaways. Holton paced the team with nine tackles and junior defensive end Ben Bell led the way with three tackles for loss and two sacks. 
 
With the win, Texas State improves to 8-5 on the season, matching the highest win total of its FBS era.