UTSA Favored as First Responder Bowl Sets Up High-Scoring Showdown
Right now, all eyes are on the First Responder Bowl, where UTSA and Florida International are set to square off in what’s shaping up to be an entertaining and potentially high-scoring matchup. The game is scheduled for Friday night at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Eastern. On paper, this matchup brings together two teams that finished their regular seasons in very different ways, yet still arrive with momentum and plenty to prove.
Florida International comes into this bowl game riding a wave of confidence. The Panthers closed the regular season with an emphatic 56–16 road win over Sam Houston State and have now won four straight games. That late-season surge pushed FIU to a 7–5 record overall and a respectable 5–3 mark in Conference USA, good enough for a tie for fourth place. It’s been a season where progress has been visible, and that recent run has helped belief spread throughout the program.
Also Read:- Amateurs Shine Bright with Les Mis at the Royal Variety Performance 2025
- Minnesota Pushes Back as ICE Accused of Illegally Swapping License Plates
UTSA’s path has been a bit more uneven, but the Roadrunners still find themselves in a solid position. They finished 6–6 overall and tied for sixth in the American Athletic Conference. Although UTSA dropped a close 27–24 decision to Army in its final regular-season game, two wins in its last three outings showed resilience. That consistency, combined with experience in bowl settings, has positioned UTSA as the favorite heading into this matchup.
However, both teams are expected to be shorthanded. Injuries and transfer portal departures have taken a toll, and FIU has been hit especially hard in the secondary. There is also some uncertainty at quarterback for the Panthers, as Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky both dealt with injuries late in the season. It’s expected that both could see action, which adds another layer of intrigue to FIU’s offensive approach.
From a betting perspective, UTSA has been installed as a seven-point favorite, while the total points line has climbed to 61.5 after opening lower. That movement suggests expectations of fireworks. A proven projection model has leaned toward the over, pointing out that high-scoring trends have been seen from both teams down the stretch. FIU has gone over the total in six of its last ten games, while UTSA has done so in seven of its last ten.
Projections also indicate strong passing performances on both sides, with Jenkins expected to surpass 225 passing yards and UTSA quarterback Owen McCown projected near 300 yards with multiple touchdowns. When it’s all added up, a combined score in the mid-60s has been forecast in a majority of simulations.
As kickoff approaches, this bowl game is being viewed as more than just a postseason exhibition. It’s a clash of momentum versus favoritism, depth versus resilience, and two offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Whether UTSA justifies its favored status or FIU continues its late-season surge, this First Responder Bowl promises drama, points, and a fitting end to the year for both programs.
Read More:
0 Comments