North Texas and Texas State Headed to SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

DALLAS, Texas (Dec. 8, 2024) – North Texas is the first team ever to play in the game three times, having previously defeated UNLV in 2013 (36-14) and lost in overtime to Army West Point in 2016 (38-31). This marks the second appearance in the First Responder Bowl for Texas State, which won last year’s game, 45-21, over Rice.

It will be the 40th meeting between the two schools, but first since 1994 and the first time that the teams have met as FBS schools. North Texas holds a 29-7-3 advantage head-to-head.

The 15th edition of the bowl game will be played Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. Tickets are available at www.FirstResponderBowl.com.

“We’re extremely excited to have two in-state schools with energetic fan bases, North Texas and Texas State, playing in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl,” Executive Director Brant Ringler said. “We are eager to host the Mean Green and Bobcats, and look forward to having their fans join us in Dallas as we honor our first responders.”

This is North Texas’ 15th all-time bowl appearance (3-11). The Mean Green averaged 34.0 points and 488.7 yards per game (third nationally) behind quarterback Chandler Morris, who has passed for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns. Coach Eric Morris is in his second year directing the program and has guided the team to a bowl for the first time.

Texas State is making its second-ever bowl appearance (1-0), both coming under second-year coach GJ Kinne. The Bobcats averaged 37.1 points per game in 2024, outscoring opponents 445-291, and ranked sixth nationally in total yards (474.3 per game). Running back Ismail Mahdi is nine yards shy of a 1,000-yard rushing season, while quarterback Jordan McCloud has thrown for 2,920 yards and 29 touchdowns.

First played following the 2010 season, the annual bowl game in Dallas began honoring first responders for the 2014 game. First responders include police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, correctional officers, search and rescue, dispatchers, security guards, federal agents, border patrol agents and military personnel who have specialized training and are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency.

In 2018, the game was officially renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl to reflect the efforts to show appreciation to first responders. Tickets for first responders are underwritten by corporate partners.

Gerald J. Ford Stadium has served as the site of the last five contests, three of which have been decided by a touchdown or less. The game, previously known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl and TicketCity Bowl, was originally contested at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is one of 17 college football bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. For additional information, please visit FirstResponderBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter/X.