American Conference and Conference USA teams converge in Dallas for the 2025 First Responder Bowl.
The matchup is set to feature the UTSA Roadrunners (6-6, 4-4 American) and the FIU Panthers (7-5, 5-3 CUSA)
on Friday, Dec. 26 from Gerald J. Ford Stadium — home of the SMU Mustangs.
UTSA and FIU are playing for the fifth time in their relatively young program histories. The two squared off as Conference USA opponents from 2014 through 2022, splitting the series at 2-2.
UTSA is bowling for the sixth-consecutive year under head coach Jeff Traylor. The Roadrunners are riding a streak of 5-straight winning seasons under Traylor, and they need a win in Dallas in order to extend the streak another year. The Roadrunners never won a bowl game until 2023, and now they can earn their third-consecutive postseason victory after claiming hardware from the 2023 Frisco and 2024 Myrtle Beach Bowls.
FIU is bowling for the first time since 2019, witnessing a spectacular turnaround unfold under first-year head coach Willie Simmons. The Panthers already locked up their first winning season since 2018 after victories in each of their final four regular season contests. FIU is seeking its third bowl win in program history, emerging on top in the 2010 Little Caesars Bowl and 2018 Bahamas Bowl.
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl debuted in 2011, operating under previous names such as the TicketCity Bowl and Heart of Dallas Bowl, until the adoption of its current moniker in 2018. This is one of the most versatile bowl games in terms of conference bids. In the past nine matchups, the American, ACC, Big 12, CUSA, MAC, Mountain West, and Pac-12 Sun Belt have all made appearances. FIU is taking the trip to Gerald J. Ford Stadium for the first time, while UTSA is playing in its second First Responder Bowl — losing the 2020 edition 31-24 to a ranked Louisiana team.
The 2025 First Responder Bowl kicks off Friday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ESPN, serving as the nightcap to a 3-game bowl slate the day after Christmas.
