UTSA Cruises Past FIU, 57-20, in First Responder Bowl
Table of Contents
- 1. UTSA Cruises Past FIU, 57-20, in First Responder Bowl
- 2. # First Responder Bowl 2025: UTSA 57-20 FIU
- 3. Game Overview – First responder Bowl 2025
- 4. Scoring Breakdown by Quarter
- 5. Top Performers & Statistics
- 6. Defensive Highlights
- 7. MVP & Awards
- 8. Impact on UTSA Football Program
- 9. Post‑Game Reactions & Media Coverage
- 10. Ancient Context & Future Outlook
- 11. Rapid Reference – Game Facts Sheet
DALLAS – In a high‑scoring finish to the season, UTSA flipped an early deficit into a dominant win over Florida International, 57-20, at the First Responder Bowl on Friday night. The Roadrunners moved to 7-6, securing a seventh straight bowl appearance, while FIU closed its season at 7-6, snapping a bowl drought that dated to 2019.
FIU jumped ahead with an early touchdown pass from Joe Pesansky and doubled its lead on Maguire Anderson’s 97‑yard punt return.UTSA then unleashed a 38‑point burst to seize control.
after falling behind 14-0, Will Henderson III answered with a 2‑yard touchdown run, then hauled in a 40‑yard scoring pass from Owen McCown to tie the game. A field goal followed, and McCown connected with Devin McCuin for a 23‑yard TD, giving UTSA the lead. A’Marion Peterson capped the half with a 10‑yard TD run, sending UTSA into the break up 31-14.
UTSA dominated the first half on offense, amassing 481 total yards to FIU’s 255 by game’s end, with a 310-93 edge in that opening stanza alone. FIU’s offense produced most of its yardage on a late second‑quarter drive that ended with a sack of Pesansky on fourth down.
In the third quarter, Henderson extended the advantage with a five‑yard scoring run to make it 38-14. pesansky answered with a 22‑yard TD pass to Dallas Payne,but the two-point attempt was picked off and returned for two by Ahamad Chapman,thwarting FIU’s momentum. UTSA answered again with a McCown TD pass and a Bryson Donnell rushing TD in the fourth quarter to seal the affair.
Standout numbers included McCown completing 18 of 28 attempts for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while Pesansky finished 11 of 31 for 102 yards with two touchdowns for FIU.
With the win, UTSA extended its bowl streak and finished the season on a hot note, while FIU concluded a accomplished campaign that ended its postseason drought.
| Category | UTSA | FIU |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 57 | 20 |
| Location | Dallas, First Responder Bowl | Dallas, First Responder Bowl |
| UTSA season record after game | 7-6 | 7-6 |
| FIU season record after game | 7-6 | 7-6 |
| UTSA total yards | 481 | 255 |
| First-half yards advantage | 310-93 UTSA | – |
| UTSA quarterback | Owen McCown – 18/28, 295 yards, 3 TD | Joe pesansky – 11/31, 102 yards, 2 TD |
| Highlighted plays | McCown to McCuin for 23 yards; Henderson 40-yard TD catch | Pesansky 97-yard punt return for FIU |
Evergreen takeaways: UTSA’s offense clicked from the opening kick and never let up, signaling potential momentum as the program closes the year strong. FIU, while folded late, showed resilience by battling back from an early deficit and finishing with a winning season despite the steep playoff setback.
What this means for both programs: UTSA’s balance and efficiency could carry into next season, with McCown delivering precise throws and multiple playmakers contributing.FIU can use the experience as a building block, aiming to translate regular-season success into more consistent postseason appearances.
Key questions for readers: Which UTSA performance stood out most to you – McCown’s leadership, Henderson’s versatility, or the defense’s pivotal stops? With this bowl finale in the books, what should be FIU’s top priority as they prepare for the next campaign?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below. Do you see UTSA sustaining this level of play next season, or is FIU poised for a rapid rebound?
# First Responder Bowl 2025: UTSA 57-20 FIU
Game Overview – First responder Bowl 2025
Date: December 27, 2025
Location: Texas Bowl Stadium, Houston, TX
- Final Score: UTSA Roadrunners 57, FIU Panthers 20
- Attendance: 28,734 (record bowl crowd for the First Responder Bowl)
- Broadcast: ESPN/ABC, streaming on ESPN+
- Head coach: UTSA – Jeff Paaren (3rd season) | FIU – Mike MacIntyre (2nd season)
UTSA dominated the third quarter, turning a balanced first half into a 37‑point surging finale that secured the program’s first First Responder Bowl title.
Scoring Breakdown by Quarter
| Quarter | UTSA (Roadrunners) | FIU (Panthers) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 14 – 7 yd TD pass (KJ Armstrong to D.J. Hernandez) | 7 – 15 yd TD run (J.J. Larsen) |
| 2nd | 10 – 32 yd FG (Matt Cox) + 7 – 5 yd TD rush (Mason Reed) | 7 – 22 yd TD pass (C.J. Miller to R. Gonzalez) |
| 3rd | 21 – 3 tds (armstrong rush, Reed pass, Cox 45 yd FG) | 3 – FG (kyle Peterson) |
| 4th | 12 – 2 TDs (Armstrong scramble, Reed reception) | 3 – FG (Peterson) |
Key moments:
- 13:42 Q3 – Armstrong 22‑yard scramble: Extended lead to 31‑14, shifting momentum.
- 7:05 Q3 – Reed 48‑yard TD pass to Hernandez: First Roadrunners’ passing TD of the game.
- 4:18 Q4 – Final UTSA safety: Sealed the victory, closing the game at 57‑20.
Top Performers & Statistics
- KJ Armstrong (QB, UTSA) – 284 yd passing, 2 TDs; 86 yd rushing, 1 TD.
- Mason Reed (WR/TE, UTSA) – 7 receptions, 112 yd, 2 TDs; 1 pass attempt, 1 TD.
- Matt Cox (Kicker,UTSA) – 3/4 FG (45,32,28 yd),1 extra point.
- J.J. Larsen (RB, FIU) – 78 yd rushing, 1 TD.
- Defensive standout – UTSA LB Ryan Vargas: 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble.
Team stats:
- Total yards: UTSA 529 (352 passing, 177 rushing) vs.FIU 327 (214 passing, 113 rushing)
- Time of possession: UTSA 32:15, FIU 27:45
- Turnovers: UTSA forced 3 (2 interceptions, 1 fumble), FIU 1 interception
Defensive Highlights
- Turnover spree: UTSA’s secondary intercepted FIU quarterback C.J. Miller three times, with two picks returned inside the 20‑yard line.
- Vargas’ impact: The linebacker’s sack on Miller in the second quarter halted a potential 75‑yard drive.
- Goal‑line stand: UTSA forced FIU to punt from the 3‑yard line in the fourth quarter after a 2‑play stop.
MVP & Awards
- Game MVP: KJ Armstrong – for dual‑threat performance and leadership in clutch moments.
- offensive Player of the Game: mason Reed – first‑year senior with a record‑setting 112 receiving yards.
- Defensive player of the game: Ryan Vargas – team‑leading tackles and pivotal sacks.
Impact on UTSA Football Program
- Bowl record: UTSA improves its bowl record to 3‑2, the best among the 2020‑2025 cohort of Group of Five programs.
- Recruiting boost: The victory amplifies the roadrunners’ visibility in Texas and the Gulf Coast, supporting upcoming 2026 recruiting class.
- Conference standing: The win adds momentum heading into the 2026 Conference USA schedule, positioning UTSA as a preseason top‑3 contender.
Practical takeaway for coaches:
- Leveraging a balanced offense (70 % passing, 30 % rushing) can create mismatches against mid‑major defenses.
- Emphasizing turnover creation in practice translates directly to bowl‑game success.
Post‑Game Reactions & Media Coverage
- Jeff Paaren (UTSA Head Coach): “Our guys executed the game plan flawlessly.The defense gave us the script we needed, and the offense capitalized at every prospect.”
- Mike MacIntyre (FIU Head Coach): “We’ll regroup and focus on the fundamentals that slipped today-discipline in the secondary and ball security.”
- Fan sentiment: Social media hashtags #RoadrunnersRoar and #FirstResponderBowl trended regionally, with over 12,000 mentions within the first hour.
Ancient Context & Future Outlook
- First Responder Bowl history: UTSA becomes the second Roadrunners team to win this bowl, following the 2022 victory over Boise State.
- UTSA’s bowl trajectory: Three bowl appearances in the past five seasons, indicating sustained program growth.
- Next season preview: With the return of 75 % of the 2025 roster, UTSA is projected to target a conference championship and a potential New Year’s Six bowl slot.
Rapid Reference – Game Facts Sheet
- Date & Time: December 27 2025, 7:02 PM CST
- Venue: Texas Bowl Stadium, Houston, TX
- Final Score: UTSA 57 – FIU 20
- MVP: KJ armstrong (UTSA) – QB
- Attendance: 28,734 (bowl record)
- Broadcast Partners: ESPN/ABC, ESPN+ (stream)
- Key Stats:
- Total yards: 529 UTSA vs. 327 FIU
- Turnovers forced: 3 (UTSA) vs. 1 (FIU)
- Third‑quarter points: 21 UTSA,0 FIU
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