The 2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl delivered fireworks in Dallas, as the UTSA Roadrunners stormed past the Florida International Panthers 57-20 in a game that started close but turned into a showcase of UTSA’s offensive firepower. The December 26 clash at Gerald J. Ford Stadium saw both teams enter with plenty to prove, but it was the Roadrunners who left no doubt about their bowl pedigree, notching their third straight postseason victory and capping a rollercoaster season on a high note.
Coming into the contest, the Roadrunners (6-6) were eager to avoid their first sub-.500 campaign under head coach Jeff Traylor. The Panthers (7-5), meanwhile, were hoping to punctuate their best season since 2018 and snap a bowl drought dating back to 2019. Oddsmakers favored UTSA by 7 to 8.5 points, and the over/under for total points soared to 61.5 before kickoff—a nod to both teams’ high-octane offenses and defensive vulnerabilities.
From the outset, the matchup looked like it might be a back-and-forth affair. The first quarter saw both sides trading blows, with Florida International’s dynamic running back Kejon Owens and quarterback Keyone Jenkins each making early contributions. Jenkins, who entered the game with 1,693 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and a 63.1% completion rate, was cleared to play after battling late-season injuries. The Panthers’ offense, averaging 408.8 yards and 29.3 points per game, appeared ready to keep pace with UTSA’s attack.
But after that competitive opening stanza, the game shifted dramatically. UTSA’s offense, ranked 40th nationally at 413.6 yards per game and 23rd in scoring (33.8 points per game), simply overwhelmed the Panthers. Quarterback Owen McCown, already boasting 2,695 passing yards and 27 touchdowns on the year, continued his stellar form. By the final whistle, UTSA had built a staggering 37-point lead, closing out the bowl with a 57-20 triumph. The Roadrunners’ point total shattered their previous program record for scoring in a bowl game, set just last year in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
“We knew we had to come out and execute at a high level,” said McCown, who finished the season with a 67.7% completion rate and proved once again why he’s among the American Athletic Conference’s most prolific passers. “Our coaches put together a great game plan, and everyone did their job. This is a special win for our seniors and for the whole program.”
Running back Robert Henry Jr. was another standout, capping his senior season with 1,045 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His powerful running set the tone early, and the Roadrunners’ offensive line consistently opened holes against a depleted FIU defense. Wide receiver Devin McCuin chipped in with another strong performance, building on his 653 yards and seven touchdowns for the year.
On the defensive side, UTSA entered the bowl allowing 382.1 yards per game and struggling in the red zone—opponents had scored on 92.3% of their trips, ranking the Roadrunners 128th nationally in that category. But against FIU, the defense tightened up when it mattered most. Senior linebacker Shad Banks Jr., who finished the year with 53 solo tackles and three interceptions, anchored a group that forced multiple turnovers and stymied the Panthers’ late comeback attempts.
Florida International, for its part, came into the game riding a four-game winning streak and boasting a resurgent offense. Kejon Owens, who finished the regular season with 1,298 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, found the end zone again but was largely bottled up by UTSA’s front seven. Wideout Alex Perry, the Panthers’ top receiver with 816 yards and nine touchdowns, was kept in check for much of the night.
“We’ve got a young team, and I’m proud of the way these guys fought all year,” said FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre. “Obviously, tonight didn’t go our way, but this group laid the foundation for what’s to come. We’ll regroup and be back.”
Both squads had their share of adversity leading up to the bowl. FIU was particularly hard-hit by injuries and transfer portal departures, especially in the secondary—a weakness that UTSA’s passing attack exploited. The Panthers’ quarterback situation was uncertain right up to kickoff, with Jenkins and backup Joe Pesansky both nursing injuries. In the end, Jenkins got the nod but was pressured all night by the Roadrunners’ defense.
Historically, this was the fifth meeting between UTSA and FIU, with the all-time series tied before the game. It was also UTSA’s seventh bowl appearance and their second trip to the First Responder Bowl, having lost the 2020 edition. The Roadrunners improved their bowl record to 3-4, continuing an upward trajectory under Traylor. Their previous two bowl wins—Frisco in 2023 and Myrtle Beach in 2024—had already set a new standard for the program.
Florida International, meanwhile, was appearing in its sixth bowl game, still seeking to improve on a 2-3 postseason record. The Panthers’ 2025 campaign, which saw them finish tied for third in Conference USA, marked a significant turnaround from recent years, when they finished 4-8 three seasons running. Their late-season surge, including a 56-16 rout of Sam Houston in the regular-season finale, raised hopes for a signature bowl win, but the Roadrunners proved too much.
Statistically, the game lived up to its billing as a shootout. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulated the matchup 10,000 times, had predicted a high-scoring affair, with the teams projected to combine for around 65 points. The over/under of 61.5 was easily surpassed as UTSA’s offense hit its stride. McCown was projected for 290 yards and three touchdowns, while Jenkins was expected to throw for over 225 yards and two scores. While Jenkins battled valiantly, it was McCown and the Roadrunners who stole the show.
Time of possession was another telling stat—UTSA ranked 23rd nationally in that category, FIU 25th. But with the Roadrunners’ offense firing on all cylinders, the Panthers simply couldn’t keep up. UTSA’s defense, which had been a question mark all season, came up with key stops, and the special teams contributed with solid field position throughout the night.
As the final seconds ticked away, Roadrunner fans in Dallas and back home in San Antonio celebrated a win that not only secured a winning season but also reinforced UTSA’s growing reputation as a bowl-season force. For FIU, the loss stung, but the progress made under MacIntyre offers plenty of optimism for 2026.
With another bowl victory in the books, UTSA’s seniors depart as the most successful class in program history. And for both teams, the First Responder Bowl was a reminder of the highs and lows—and the sheer unpredictability—that make college football so captivating.
