SAN ANTONIO — The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is set to make its sixth consecutive bowl appearance and seventh overall, as the Roadrunners are scheduled to face Florida International University (FIU) in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on December 26 in Dallas, Texas. The kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, with the game being broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Fans can secure tickets for the game by visiting the UTSA Athletics website, where purchasing directly supports the athletics department and offers preferred seating options for supporters. This initiative will also enable UTSA to negotiate better bowl opportunities in the future based on ticket sales and attendance figures.
Head coach Jeff Traylor, in his sixth year, will lead the Roadrunners into their second SERVPRO First Responder Bowl appearance. UTSA previously competed in this bowl in 2020. The team closed the regular season with a 6-6 overall record, including a 4-4 mark within the American Conference, winning two of its last three matchups.
In contrast, FIU enters the bowl game with a 7-5 overall record, riding high on a four-game winning streak that concluded their Conference USA season at 5-3.
This matchup will mark the fifth meeting between UTSA and FIU, with the series being tied 2-2. Their most recent clash occurred on October 14, 2022, where the Roadrunners triumphed 30-10 in Miami.
UTSA is aiming for its third consecutive bowl victory, having secured a convincing 44-15 win over Coastal Carolina in the Myrtle Beach Bowl last December and a historic first bowl win against Marshall with a score of 35-17 in the Frisco Bowl earlier this year. However, the Roadrunners have faced challenges in past bowl games, including a tight game against No. 16 Louisiana in 2020 and a defeat by 24th-ranked San Diego State in the 2021 Frisco Bowl.
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, which started in 2010 and began honoring first responders in 2014, aims to recognize the heroic contributions of police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and other first responders. The game has been renamed to reflect this purpose, with ticket provisions supported by corporate partners.
Held consistently at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in recent years, the bowl has generated excitement, with several matches being closely contested. As part of ESPN Events, the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl plays a significant role in the college football landscape, and fans are encouraged to gather and support their teams during this festive season.