Texas State took advantage of three turnovers and pulled away in the second half to defeat Rice 41-10 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Texas State (7-6) led only 10-7 at halftime after Rice (5-8) scored a touchdown with nine seconds left in the second quarter on a 2-yard pass to Aaron Turner.
But the Bobcats took control quickly in the second half. Beau Sparks opened the onslaught with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Brad Jackson on the first drive of the third quarter.
After the teams traded punts, Rice fumbled at its own 11, and Texas State scored two plays later on Jackson’s 12-yard pass to Chris Dawn Jr. to extend the lead to 24-7.
The Owls fumbled again on their next drive at their 18, setting up a Texas State field goal to take a 27-7 lead.
After Rice turned the ball over on downs, Lincoln Pare ran for a 63-yard touchdown on the next play to ice the game for Texas State at 34-7.
The Bobcats moved to 3-0 all-time in bowl games. Texas State defeated Rice 45-21 in the First Responder Bowl two years ago at SMU.
Rice played without its top two quarterbacks after they entered the transfer portal.
Here is a collection of photos from the game:
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson runs for a 6-yard touchdown to open the scoring against Rice during the second quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson throws a pass against Rice during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State wide receiver Beau Sparks fumbles the ball against Rice during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Rice wide receiver Aaron Turner scores on a 2-yard touchdown pass just before halftime against Texas State in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Rice wide receiver Payton Matthews catches a pass against Texas State safety Javis Mynatt during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State running back Lincoln Pare is tackled by Rice linebacker Andrew Awe during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Rice quarterback Lucas Scheerhorn is tackled by Texas State during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State wide receiver Beau Sparks runs down the sideline on a 69-yard touchdown pass against Rice during the third quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. scores on a 14-yard touchdown pass against Rice during the fourth quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State head coach GJ Kinne holds up the trophy after beating Rice in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State defensive end Kalil Alexander causes a fumble by Rice quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State running back Lincoln Pare celebrates after a 63-yard touchdown run against Rice during the fourth quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State wide receivers Chris Dawn Jr. (1) and Beau Sparks celebrating during the win over Rice in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
Texas State defensive end Tymere Jackson (center) celebrates after recovering a fumble against Rice during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Tim Heitman Getty Images
This story was originally published January 2, 2026 at 3:45 PM.
Jim Barnes is the Star-Telegram’s sports editor. A Fort Worth native and graduate of Castleberry High School, he returned to Texas after 13 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He previously was sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and a freelance high school sports reporter for The Dallas Morning News.
