Owls will head to Dallas for First Responder Bowl
Last year, Rice got its first bowl experience under coach Mike Bloomgren. Now, the Owls want to get a win in their extended 2023 season.
On Sunday, Rice accepted an invitation to play Texas State in the First Responder Bowl on Dec. 26 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. It will be the Owls’ 14th bowl appearance and second in as many years under their sixth-year head coach.
“Our kids got a taste of bowl life, and they wanted a bigger piece,” Bloomgren said. “That’s what they worked for this offseason and earned the right to go.”
The Owls won their final two games of the regular season to become bowl eligible. The Owls reached 6-6 following their 24-21 victory over Florida Atlantic inside Rice Stadium on Nov. 25.
It is the second straight year the Owls will play in a bowl. Last year, Rice returned to postseason play for the first time since 2014, losing to Southern Miss 3824 in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The Owls were 5-7 in the 2022 regular season, making the bowl due to a shortage of six-win teams and their being the top five-win team in Academic Progress Rate.
The timing of the First Responder Bowl is beneficial for the Owls.
“It’s awesome that (fans) can drive up the day after Christmas,” Bloomgren said. “We understand how excited the Texas State fan base is going to be and that they’re going to be there. We need our fans to be there in force.”
The First Responder Bowl will be Rice’s 10th game this season in the state of Texas.
“Any time we’re playing a team in Texas, it’s a big deal to our kids,” Bloomgren said. “I can’t wait for them to see all Dallas has to offer. We’ve heard great things about this bowl game.
“We’re about to shift our focus to a Texas State football team that had a good season. I know they will be excited, but I’m not sure they can match the excitement of the Rice Owls.”
Texas State, which will be playing in its first bowl, finished 7-5 in the regular season, 4-4 in the Sun Belt. The matchup will be the fifth meeting between the teams and first since 1987. They split the first four meetings, all at Rice.
This year’s seven victories under first-year coach G.J. Kinne matched the Bobcats’ school record as an FBS program. The wins include a 42-31 decision at Baylor.
“In year one of that program, they did a great job,” Bloomgren said. “They attacked the portal, they developed guys within, and they put on a great show, a high-flying offense and a defense that is hard to deal with.”
Rice has a 7-6 record in bowls.
Since concluding its regular season, Rice has held three practices. The Owls’ first practice involving a scouting report of Texas State is Thursday. They are scheduled to report to Dallas on Dec. 22.
“The kids are jacked,” Bloomgren said. “We’ve got a team that absolutely loves football. Every opportunity we get to be on the grass is special.”
Quarterback JT Daniels medically retired from football after missing the Owls’ final three games with a concussion. In his lone season at Rice, consisting of nine games, he threw for 2,443 yards and 21 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman AJ Padgett has taken over the position as the starter.