Sports fans with cable can turn on ESPN, but for those of you who don’t have cable, you still have options to watch the First Responder Bowl. This year’s game features Texas State vs Rice on ESPN on Tuesday, December 26th (EST).
Streaming services all the rage right now, services that allow you to watch the Servpro First Responder Bowl online without cable. Keep reading to find out how.
In a hurry? All you need is ESPN, but these streaming services offer far more than that — try it for yourself:
- Fubo: The best streaming service for international sports also provides 150+ well-selected channels. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
- DIRECTV STREAM: Get a great channel lineup with the best selection of RSNs in the industry. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: This low-cost service allows you to select just the channel lineup you want. Save 50% on Sling TV now.
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Table Of Contents
ESPN has traditionally been considered a cable channel, but now that streaming services are becoming a popular option for watching television, you can get the network without cable.
Many streaming services offer ESPN and various other channels. The following article has all the details you are going to need to determine if streaming is right for you, and if so, which service will be best.
First Responder Bowl Schedule
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is played annually at SMU Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, just outside Dallas, Texas. If you’re looking to watch this football game live, you’ll need to know exactly when and where it is airing:
- Date: Dec 26, 2023
- Kickoff Time:
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Teams: Texas State (45) vs Rice (21)
- Last Year’s Results: Memphis Tigers (38) vs Utah State Aggies (10)
There are a variety of services you can use to watch the game, as well as other content on ESPN. If you are a sports fan, even beyond watching the First Responder Bowl live stream, there is plenty of other sports content on the channel all year round.
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How to Watch the First Responder Bowl Without Cable
Two other services you can use to watch the First Responder Bowl games are Fubo and Sling TV. You can find an affordable alternative to cable through streaming services when you want to watch ESPN and other traditional cable channels.
By the end of this article, you should have a good idea about all of the services that are offered for you to watch ESPN and the First Responder Bowl live stream without cable.
Streaming services are a cheap and simple solution for watching cable channels without a costly cable bill. With cable, you’re often locked in a contract for at least a year, but streaming services don’t typically have contracts to sign or additional fees. On average, streaming services cost around $69.99 per month, which is much cheaper than cable.
There are variety of streaming devices you can use to watch streaming services. You might already have some of these devices such as your personal computer, mobile device, or gaming console.
Beyond that, you can stream these services on Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV devices, and more.
Watch the First Responder Bowl Online with Fubo
Fubo (formerly FuboTV) is the best streaming service for college football and other sports. For $79.99/mo you get 150+ channels including over 35 that are sports-focused.
- 150+ live channels
- All of Fubo on-demand content is included
- Watch ESPN, FS1, USA, and several other channels
- Save 1000 hours of content in the cloud-DVR
- Plans starting at $79.99/mo
- No contracts!
- Watch the First Responder Bowl online with Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV, mobile devices, etc.
Our Fubo review has all the details.
Watch the First Responder Bowl Live Stream on Sling TV
Another streaming service option is Sling TV. This is truly the cheapest way to watch the First Responder Bowl live stream without cable. Your package, the Sling Orange package, costs $40.00/mo and comes with over 30 channels, including ESPN. You can also add on channel bundles and individual channel options for an additional price, which allows you to customize your package. Here are more specs:
- Pay $40.00/mo for Sling Orange, which comes with 30+ channels, and includes ESPN
- Combine the two packages Sling Orange + Sling Blue for $55.00/mo for even more cable channels
- Use TV Everywhere apps such as the WatchESPN app using your Sling TV login
- The cheapest way to view college football live without cable
- Stream on mobile devices, Apple TV, your home computer, and more
- Save 50% on your first month of Sling TV.
If you have any questions about this service, don’t forget to check out our informative Sling TV review. And for bowl season specifically, see Sling TV Bowl Game Guide.
Watch the First Responder Bowl with DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM has roughly 75 channels for $79.99/mo including ESPN. Many RSNs available for $20` per month extra.
Its features:
- ESPN and ESPN2 in the base package
- More channels on Choice package including the RSNs for more coverage on sports
- Unlimited hours of cloud DVR only if you sign up online
- Huge on demand content on DIRECTV
- Stream on unlimited devices
- Watch on Chromecast, Samsung TV, Roku, mobile devices, etc
Find out more in our DIRECTV STREAM review.
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Watch the First Responder Bowl Streaming on Hulu Live
One of the more popular ways to watch ESPN is Hulu + Live TV. Pricing starts at $76.99/mo for over 85 channels. You can add on additional, premium channels like HBO for an extra fee. The service comes with unlimited cloud-based DVR with 9 months of storage.
You also get the popular Hulu on-demand service with thousands of hours of television and movie content. You will also get multiple other cable channels like FOX Sports.
More details:
- Pay $76.99/mo for 85+ channels
- Add premium channels and pay a little more
- No contracts so cancel anytime
- Comes with Hulu on-demand and unlimited cloud DVR with 9 months of storage
- Stream on mobile devices, Apple TV, Roku and more
Find out more details about the service in our Hulu + Live TV review.
More Ways to Watch the First Responder Bowl Online
By now you should know ways to watch the First Responder Bowl online without cable. In the event Fubo, Sling TV, DIRECTV STREAM and Hulu TV do not work for you, here are a few other services that will allow you to watch ESPN without a cable subscription:
- Vidgo — For $69.99/mo you get 110+ channel including ESPN. See our Vidgo review for the details.
- YouTube TV – Pay $72.99/mo for over 100 channels.
Superpower Your Sports Streaming With a VPN
For the sake of privacy, security, and access, you should be using a VPN. They are low-cost and easy to use. We’ve been using them for years and our top pick is ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
i Our VPN Buyer’s Guide provides a complete introduction and all you need to know to choose the best VPN for your needs.
Texas State Bobcats vs Rice Owls
The 2023 First Responder Bowl features the Texas State Bobcats of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) and the Rice Owls of the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
The Bobcats ended their season in second place in the West Division of the SBC with a record of 7-5 (4-4 in-conference). It is the first winning season they’ve had since 2014.
The Owls only entered the AAC this year (from Conference USA). They ended the season with a record of 6-6 (4-4 in-conference) for sixth place in the AAC. As with Texas State, it is their best season since 2014.
Texas State Bobcats Personnel
The Bobcats’ coaching leaders are all brand new this season with head coach GJ Kinne, offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich, and defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke. They all came together from the University of the Incarnate Word.
The Owl’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback TJ Finley. He is joined by running back Ismail Mahdi, wide receivers Joey Hobert, Ashtyn Hawkins, and Kole Wilson, and tight end Konner Fox.
The defense features linebackers Brian Holloway and Dan Foster Jr, defensive backs Kaleb Ford-Dement, Joshua Eaton, Kaleb Culp, Chris Mills, and Shawn Holton, and linemen Ben Bell, Jordan Revels, and Tavian Coleman.
Rice Owls Personnel
Head coach Mike Bloomgren is in his sixth season with the Owls having previously been Assistant Head Coach at Stanford. He is supported by offensive coordinator Marques Tuiasosopo and defensive coordinator Brian Smith.
Quarterback JT Daniels had headed the Owls’ offense early on but repeated injuries have caused him to stop playing football. Freshman AJ Padgett will lead the offense for the First Responder Bowl. With him are running backs Dean Connors and Juma Otoviano, wide receivers Luke McCaffrey, Rawson MacNeill, and Landon Ransom-Goelz, and tight end Boden Groen.
On defense are linebackers Myron Morrison, Chris Conti, Josh Pearcy, and DJ Arkansas, defensive backs Tre’shon Devones, Gabriel Taylor, Sean Fresch, Plae Wyatt, and Jonathan Jean, and linemen Coleman Coco, De’Braylon Carroll, and Blake Boenisch.
Wrapping Up
If you are interested in finding out how to watch other bowl games beyond the First Responder Bowl check out our guide on all of the 2023 College Bowl Games here.
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to reach out in the comments section, and we will get back to you right away!
FAQ
Who has won the First Responder Bowl in past years?
Last year’s matchup had the Memphis Tigers edging out the Utah State Aggies 38-10. Previous results of the game are:
- 2022: Air Force Falcons vs Louisville Cardinals (31-29)
- 2020: Louisiana vs UTSA (31-24)
- 2019: Western Kentucky vs Western Michigan (23-20)
- 2018: Boise State vs Boston College, no contest (game canceled on account of weather)
- 2017: Utah vs West Virginia (30-14)
- 2016: Army vs North Texas (38-31)
- 2015: Washington vs Southern Miss (44-31)
- 2014 (December): Louisiana Tech vs Illinois (35-18)
- 2014 (January): North Texas vs UNLV (36-14)
- 2013: Oklahoma State vs Purdue (58-14)
- 2012: Houston vs Penn State (30-14)
- 2011: Texas Tech vs Northwestern (45-38)
How will I watch the 2022 bowl games?
Here is our comprehensive guide on how to watch FBS College Football Bowl Games — including the College Football Playoff and Championship Game — this year:
- Sat Dec 16 : Myrtle Beach Bowl — Georgia Southern vs Ohio (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 16 : Cricket Celebration Bowl — Florida A&M vs Howard (ABC)
- Sat Dec 16 : New Orleans Bowl — Jacksonville State vs Louisiana (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 16 : Cure Bowl — Miami (Ohio) vs Appalachian State (ABC)
- Sat Dec 16 : New Mexico Bowl — Fresno State vs New Mexico State (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 16 : LA Bowl — UCLA vs Boise State (ABC)
- Sat Dec 16 : Independence Bowl — Texas Tech vs Cal (ESPN)
- Mon Dec 18 : Famous Toastery Bowl — Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion (ESPN)
- Tue Dec 19 : Frisco Bowl — Marshall vs UTSA (ESPN)
- Thu Dec 21 : Boca Raton Bowl — USF vs Syracuse (ESPN)
- Fri Dec 22 : Gasparilla Bowl — Georgia Tech vs UCF (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 23 : Birmingham Bowl — Troy vs Duke (ABC)
- Sat Dec 23 : Camellia Bowl — Arkansas State vs Northern Illinois (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 23 : Armed Forces Bowl — Air Force vs James Madison (ABC)
- Sat Dec 23 : Famous Idaho Potato Bowl — Georgia State vs Utah State (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 23 : 68 Ventures Bowl — Eastern Michigan vs South Alabama (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 23 : Las Vegas Bowl — Northwestern vs Utah (ABC)
- Sat Dec 23 : Hawaii Bowl — San Jose State vs Coastal Carolina (ESPN)
- Tue Dec 26 : Quick Lane Bowl — Bowling Green vs Minnesota (ESPN)
- Tue Dec 26 : First Responder Bowl — Texas State vs Rice (ESPN)
- Tue Dec 26 : Guaranteed Rate Bowl — Kansas vs UNLV (ESPN)
- Wed Dec 27 : Military Bowl — Tulane vs Virginia Tech (ESPN)
- Wed Dec 27 : Duke’s Mayo Bowl — North Carolina vs West Virginia (ESPN)
- Wed Dec 27 : Holiday Bowl — Louisville vs Southern Cal (ESPN)
- Wed Dec 27 : Texas Bowl — Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M (ESPN)
- Thu Dec 28 : Fenway Bowl — SMU vs Boston College (ESPN)
- Thu Dec 28 : Pinstripe Bowl — Rutgers vs Miami (FL) (ESPN)
- Thu Dec 28 : Pop-Tarts Bowl — NC State vs Kansas State (ESPN)
- Thu Dec 28 : Alamo Bowl — Oklahoma vs Arizona (ESPN)
- Fri Dec 29 : Gator Bowl — Clemson vs Kentucky (ESPN)
- Fri Dec 29 : Sun Bowl — Notre Dame vs Oregon State (CBS)
- Fri Dec 29 : Liberty Bowl — Memphis vs Iowa State (ESPN)
- Fri Dec 29 : Cotton Bowl — Ohio State vs Missouri (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 30 : Peach Bowl — Penn State vs Ole Miss (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 30 : Music City Bowl — Auburn vs Maryland (ABC)
- Sat Dec 30 : Orange Bowl — Florida State vs Georgia (ESPN)
- Sat Dec 30 : Arizona Bowl — Wyoming vs Toledo (Barstool Sports)
- Mon Jan 1 : ReliaQuest Bowl — LSU vs Wisconsin (ESPN2)
- Mon Jan 1 : Citrus Bowl — Iowa vs Tennessee (ABC)
- Mon Jan 1 : Fiesta Bowl (Sling TV) — Oregon vs Liberty (ESPN)
- Mon Jan 1 : Rose Bowl (Sling TV) — Michigan vs Alabama (ESPN)
- Mon Jan 1 : Sugar Bowl (Sling TV) — Washington vs Texas (ESPN)
- Mon Jan 8 : National Championship (Sling TV) — Michigan/Alabama vs Washington/Texas (Fox)
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