First Responder Bowl 2025: UTSA vs FIU

VERSION EN ESPANOL AQUI
Conferencias: The American Athletic Conference
Game Recap & Fotos: Alfredo Vazquez
Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, TX (SMU)
December 26th, 2025

A Bowl Game That Flipped in Real Time UTSA defeated FIU 57-20.
The 2025 First Responder Bowl, played on December 26 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, started with momentum on FIU’s side. It ended with UTSA firmly in control. The 57-20 final score tells part of the story — the way UTSA seized the game tells the rest.

Down 14-0 early, the Roadrunners responded with poise and precision. They unleashed 38 unanswered points. This turned the contest into one of the most lopsided finishes of bowl season.

The Turning Point: UTSA Takes Over

There wasn’t a single snap that changed everything. It was a shift in control. Sustained drives. Defensive adjustments. Execution under pressure. UTSA stopped reacting and started dictating terms.

From that moment on, the Roadrunners owned the pace, the field position, and the confidence.

Game MVP: Owen McCown (UTSA)

Owen McCown earned First Responder Bowl MVP honors with a composed, efficient performance:

295 passing yards
Three touchdown passes
Command of the offense from start to finish

McCown’s impact went beyond statistics. He managed the game, punished coverage breakdowns, and elevated UTSA when it mattered most.

What This Win Means for UTSA

With this victory, UTSA secured its third straight bowl win and finished the season 7-6. More importantly, it reinforced the program’s identity: resilient, disciplined, and capable of closing strong on a postseason stage.

In a football-rich city like Dallas, UTSA didn’t just show up — they took control.