Texas State vs. Rice Short Report | Dec 26, 2023
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Dallas, TX
Dec 26, 2023
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Game Recap
The Texas State Bobcats overwhelmed the Rice Owls with a decisive 45-21 victory in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Bobcats' relentless offense and ironclad defense established dominance from the opening drive. Jahmyl Jeter's dynamic rushing performance, including three touchdowns, powered the Bobcats' ground assault while an opportunistic defense netted six turnovers, effectively stifling the Owls' efforts.
Rice struggled to keep pace after tying the game at 21-21 in the second quarter, thanks to Dean Connors' rushing prowess. However, their momentum was severely hindered by a flurry of turnovers, with five interceptions—two of which were returned for touchdowns by Brian Holloway—undermining their comeback attempts. The Bobcats capitalized on these critical errors, converting numerous opportunities into points and securing the victory.
Key Plays:
Jahmyl Jeter (Texas State Bobcats)
Jahmyl Jeter burst through the line for a 29-yard touchdown run, capitalizing on key blocks and opening the scoring swiftly for Texas State.
AJ Padgett (Rice Owls)
AJ Padgett connected with Luke McCaffrey on a precise 7-yard pass, tying the game and demonstrating Rice's offensive potential early on.
Jahmyl Jeter (Texas State Bobcats)
Jeter showcased his short-yardage prowess with a 1-yard plunge, securing his second touchdown and reestablishing Texas State's lead.
Brian Holloway (Texas State Bobcats)
Brian Holloway intercepted Padgett's pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown, swinging momentum and widening the Bobcats' lead.
Dean Connors (Rice Owls)
Dean Connors powered through defenders for a 3-yard rushing touchdown, narrowing Rice's deficit and keeping them in the contest.
Dean Connors (Rice Owls)
Connors electrified the crowd with a 28-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 21-21 and showcasing his explosive capability.
Mason Shipley (Texas State Bobcats)
Mason Shipley nailed a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, propelling Texas State back into the lead at halftime.
Nash Jones (Texas State Bobcats)
Nash Jones extended the Bobcats' lead with a 3-yard touchdown run, adding to Rice's mounting troubles in the third quarter.
Brian Holloway (Texas State Bobcats)
Holloway struck again with a 48-yard pick-six, demonstrating stellar defensive awareness and putting the game out of reach for Rice.
Jahmyl Jeter (Texas State Bobcats)
Jeter capped his exceptional performance with a 1-yard touchdown run, cementing Texas State's commanding victory.
S. Holton (Texas State Bobcats)
S. Holton intercepted a pass and returned it 5 yards, halting a potential Rice scoring drive and maintaining Texas State's control.
K. Ford-Dement (Texas State Bobcats)
K. Ford-Dement picked off an errant pass, giving Texas State possession and further limiting Rice's scoring opportunities.
B. Crosby (Texas State Bobcats)
B. Crosby sealed the game with an interception, returning it 32 yards and further solidifying Texas State's defensive dominance.
Standout Players:
Jahmyl Jeter (Texas State Bobcats, RB)
Jeter's three-touchdown performance was instrumental in Texas State's offensive dominance, showcasing his ability to find the end zone both in short-yardage and breakaway situations.
Brian Holloway (Texas State Bobcats, LB)
Holloway's two interceptions returned for touchdowns underscored his game-changing defensive presence, directly contributing to Texas State's comfortable margin of victory.
Dean Connors (Rice Owls, RB)
Despite the loss, Connors was a bright spot for Rice, scoring two rushing touchdowns and consistently breaking through Texas State's defensive front.
Ismail Mahdi (Texas State Bobcats, RB)
Mahdi's 122 rushing yards on 24 attempts provided a steady and effective ground attack, complementing Jeter's scoring bursts and helping control the game's tempo.
Mason Shipley (Texas State Bobcats, K)
Shipley's 31-yard field goal just before halftime proved pivotal, giving Texas State a lead they would not relinquish and adding to his consistent special teams contributions.
Luke McCaffrey (Rice Owls, WR)
McCaffrey's touchdown reception tied the game early, and his consistent receiving threat throughout the season was evident even in this challenging matchup.
Team
1
2
3
4
T
Texas State Bobcats
14
10
14
7
45
Rice Owls
7
14
0
0
21
