VERSION EN ESPANOL AQUI
Conferencias: The American Athletic Conference and SBC
Game Recap & Fotos: Alfredo Vazquez
Amon G. Carter Stadium (TCU)– Fort Worth, TX
January 2nd, 2026

On January 2, 2026, the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth became a showcase for Texas State. The Bobcats overwhelmed in-state opponent Rice with a decisive 41-10 victory at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

From start to finish, Texas State controlled the game on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brad Jackson delivered one of the most efficient performances of the bowl season. He was named the Armed Forces Bowl MVP.

How the Game Played Out

The first half was steady but tilted in Texas State’s favor. Jackson opened the scoring with a 6-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Tyler Robles then added a 30-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 10-0 lead. Rice answered just before halftime when Quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. connected with Wide Receiver Aaron Turner on a short touchdown pass, cutting the margin to 10-7 at the break.

Any momentum Rice hoped to carry into the second half disappeared quickly.

Texas State exploded after halftime, starting with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Wide Receiver Beau Sparks. From there, the Bobcats took full control with a balanced offensive attack. Wide Receiver Chris Dawn Jr. caught two touchdown passes. Running Back Lincoln Pare sealed the victory with a 63-yard touchdown run. This play energized the Texas State sideline.

Rice managed only a fourth-quarter field goal, with the outcome already decided.

By the Numbers

Texas State’s dominance showed clearly in the stat sheet:

• Total yards: Texas State 470, Rice 235
• Passing: Brad Jackson – 173 yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
• Rushing: Lincoln Pare – 106 yards, 1 TD on 14 carries
• Receiving: Chris Dawn Jr. – 2 TD receptions; Beau Sparks – 69-yard TD catch

Rice struggled to sustain drives, finishing with fewer than 250 total yards and limited third-down success.

Standout Players

• Brad Jackson (Texas State) – Game MVP, responsible for four total touchdowns and in complete command of the offense.
• Lincoln Pare (Texas State) – Provided balance and explosiveness in the run game, highlighted by his long second-half score.
• Chris Dawn Jr. (Texas State) – A reliable red-zone target with two touchdowns.

For Rice, Patrick Crayton Jr. showed flashes but faced constant pressure from a disciplined Texas State defense that limited big plays.

More Than a College Football Game

The Armed Forces Bowl once again honored members of the military with pregame ceremonies. A planned parachute demonstration briefly drew concern. A jumper became tangled in the goal-post netting. The situation was resolved safely with no serious injuries.

What It Means

The win closed the season at 7-6 for Texas State. It marked the program’s third straight bowl victory under Head Coach G.J. Kinne, reinforcing the Bobcats’ upward momentum.

Rice finished the year at 5-8, gaining valuable College Football experience despite the tough outcome.

For Texas State, this wasn’t just a bowl appearance—it was a statement. And behind an MVP performance from Brad Jackson, the Bobcats made sure that statement was loud and clear.