Texas State Captures Second SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, Tops North Texas

By Art Garcia

DALLAS – This time the Bobcats toppled North Texas 30-28 on a mild Friday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Last year, Texas State bested Rice 45-21 on the campus of SMU in its first ever bowl game.

While this contest was much closer, Texas State was still quite impressive. Senior quarterback Jordan McCloud threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, as the Bobcats ran off 17 consecutive points after falling behind 14-6 early.

“Super proud of the guys,” Texas State coach GJ Kinne said. “We had to make it interesting. Second time in a row to put on a show for the people. Hats off to North Texas and coach (Eric) Morris. Their backup quarterback came out and played lights out. The last couple of weeks have been the craziest I’ve been a part of in college football. To come out with this atmosphere and get a win, that is what it is about.”

Texas State answered after the Mean Green cut the deficit to two points twice in the closing minutes. Running back and bowl MVP Lincoln Pare (143 yards rushing) took a handoff from McCloud and scampered 73 yards untouched to put the Bobcats back up two scores with 2:25 left.

North Texas was without quarterback Chandler Morris, who entered the transfer portal and committed to Virginia. Walk-on Drew Mestemaker made his first career start and threw for 393 yards – the second-most in 15-year First Responder Bowl history – and two scores with two picks.

The freshman signal caller also followed up the Pare’s long run with a 70-yard touchdown gallop to get the Mean Green within 30-28 with 1:49 left. North Texas would force a punt and took over at its own 8-yard line with 40 seconds left, but Mestemaker could not muster up a miracle finish.

Mestemaker threw a pair of scoring passes in the first half – 46 yards to Miles Coleman and 16 yards to Landon Sides. The Mean Green also mad a key defensive stand to hold on to the early advantage.

McCloud and Jaden Williams connected on a short toss than turned into a 70-yard gain, the Bobcats were set up with a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. North Texas stuffed runs on the next two plays and after a false start by the Bobcats, a third-down pass came up short and Texas State settled for a short field goal.

But the Bobcats would respond early in the second quarter with a Mason Shipley’s third field goal of the half to make it 14-9. McCloud and Williams hooked up on a 24-yard touchdown with 3:27 left in the second and Texas State took a 16-14 lead into the locker room.

Texas State finished the season 8-5 and become the first two-time winner of the First Responder Bowl. The Bobcats also scored a rare win the 40-game series with North Texas. The two programs had not met since 1994, with the Mean Green holding a 29-8-3 all-time lead.

North Texas ends the season at 6-7.