FORT WORTH — Texas State football will have an opportunity to start the New Year the right way Friday against Rice in the Armed Forces Bowl.
The Bobcats’ path here was choppy, and the season didn’t go as they might’ve hoped. But they ended 6-6 and on a three-game win streak, which could extend to four with a strong performance New Year’s Day.
Rice will be without its top two quarterbacks, Chase Jenkins and Drew Devillier, as they have both entered the transfer portal. One of freshman Patrick Crayton Jr. and redshirt freshman Lucas Scheerhorn will be the starter. Head coach Scott Abell said he’s confident in each of their abilities to perform.
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“They’ve had a lot of prep, a lot of reps, and I’m excited for them. You have seen that here, really in the last week-and-a-half,” Abell said.
Texas State lost center Brock Riker to the portal, but has retained starting quarterback Brad Jackson, wide receivers Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks, and offensive lineman Sully Burns. Head coach GJ Kinne has often emphasized the importance of retaining players in this era of college football.
Here are live updates from Texas State’s matchup with Rice:
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The Texas State Bobcats bench indicates to their coach in the fourth quarter as the Texas State Bobcats take on the South Alabama Jaguars at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Nov. 29, 2025.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas State football vs Rice live updates
2Q, 1:55 — Texas State 10, Rice 0
Turner bobbles a pass and loses two yards. Snyder sacks Scheerhorn for a six-yard loss. The quarterback launches a deep pass and catches Texas State with a pass interference penalty. Jackson runs for four yards. Semaj Pierre catches a third-down pass and takes it past midfield for a first down. DonTerry Russell drops Scheerhorn six yards behind the line. Facing third-and-16, Scheerhorn’s pass falls incomplete.
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2Q, 6:17 — Texas State 10, Rice 0
Scheerhorn has returned to the game. Jackson loses two yards on first down and Shoehorn gains three on second down. The quarterback is sacked on third down and Rice punter Chase Allen launches it 66 yards.
Jackson misses Sparks high on first down. His second down pass is batted at the line of scrimmage. Rice is flagged for contact with an official, negating a sack. Burrell runs for 14 yards. Sparks completes a pass to tight end Blake Smith, who takes it to the 18-yard line. After Dawn loses yards on a screen, Jackson scrambles 11 yards, setting up a field goal that Tyler Robles nails.
2Q, 10:31 — Texas State 7, Rice 0
Edge Kenard Snyder tackles running back D’Andre Hardeman behind the line of scrimmage. Texas State cornerback Jaden Rios picks off Crayton on second down and returns it to the opposing 38-yard line.
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Tony Anyanwu sacks Jackson for a four-yard loss. The quarterback keeps the rock for 11 yards on second down. He can’t connect with Sparks on a deep pass up the left sideline on third down. On fourth-and-4, Dawn catches a seven-yard pass to keep the drive moving. Pare takes a carry to the 14-yard line for a first down. A defensive holding grants Texas State a fresh set of downs. Jackson keeps it for a seven-yard touchdown run.
End of 1Q — Texas State 0, Rice 0
Patrick Crayton Jr. replaces Scheerhorn. Turner rips off a 30-yard rush on first down. Running back Tyvonn Byars’ first attempt of the day goes three yards. Scheerhorn gains a yard on a keeper. Byards is tackled three yards short of the marker on third down. Byars converts on fourth-and-2. Crayton completes his first pass to Turner for three yards as the first quarter ends.
1Q, 2:49— Texas State 0, Rice 0
Jackson is held to two yards on first down. Quarterback Lucas Scheerhorn is tackled seven yards behind the line by Amipeleasi Langi Jr. on second down. Rice is unable to find the chains on third down and punts to the opposing 31-yard line.
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Burrell get his first carry for Texas State, for three yards. He gets his second carry and picks up a first down with a seven-yard burst. Jackson runs for five yards on second down. He’s sacked on third-and-4 and Rice takes over.
1Q, 7:39 — Texas State 0, Rice 0
Texas State begins on its own 21-yard line. A screen to wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. goes for 15 yards. Lincoln Pare follows with a four-yard rush. Sparks catches his first pass of the day, breaking the program reception record. Jackson keeps but doesn’t convert on third down. On fourth-and-4, Pare gains five to keep the chains moving.
Quarterback Brad Jackson finds Sparks for four yards and Dawn is stopped for no gain on second down. The third down pass is behind Sparks, and Jackson’s fourth down pass to tight end Titus Lyons is incomplete.
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1Q, 12:48 — Texas State 0, Rice 0
Rice running back Quinton Jackson goes for no yards on his first rush. A pass to Aaron Turner gains three yards. Jackson rushes for four and fails to convert, leading to a punt.
Texas State football vs Rice time, TV info
Time:Noon Friday
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadiumin Fort Worth
TV channel: ESPN
Livestream: ESPN+, Fubo
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Texas State football schedule
Week 1 vs Eastern Michigan: W, 52-27
Week 2 at UTSA: W, 43-36
Week 3 at Arizona State: L, 34-15
Week 4 vs Nicholls: W, 35-3
Week 5: Bye
Week 6 at Arkansas State: L, 31-30
Week 7 vs Troy: L, 48-41 (OT)
Week 8 at Marshall: L, 40-37 (2OT)
Week 9 vs James Madison: L, 52-20
Week 10: Bye
Week 11 at Louisiana (Cajuns): L, 42-39
Week 12 at Southern Miss: W, 41-14
Week 13 vs ULM: W, 31-14
Week 14 vs South Alabama: W, 49-26
Texas State football vs Rice betting lines
Spread: Texas State -16.5 (-105), Rice (-115)
Moneyline: Texas State -650, Rice +475
Texas State vs Rice weather forecast
Sunny with winds up to 27 miles per hour. 71 degrees Fahrenheit starting at 12 p.m., reaching 74 by 3 p.m.
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