Texas State president Kelly Damphousse issued a correction to ESPN after Lowell Galindo insulted the academic prowess of his university during the live broadcast of the Armed Forces Bowl. He wants the world to know that the Bobcats are also receiving a good education while having a good time.
It’s not only a party school!
The fanbase from San Marcos made their presence felt at the college football bowl game. They consistently show up in support of their team.
Texas State and Rice are not the same.
To be completely fair to Galindo, it’s not like he was wrong with his assessment. Texas State University and Rice University are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of academics.
Thus, it presents a stark contrast when these two Lone Star State schools get together on the gridiron like they did on Friday at the Armed Forces Bowl.
Rice is consistently ranked as one of the top-20 universities in the United States by major publications like U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. It is also considered the best school in Texas. Less than 10% of applicants are accepted. Although the university does not publish a hard GPA cutoff, successful high applicants rarely get in with anything lower than a 3.9.
Texas State is not quite as highly regarded. It most often ranks around 250. The acceptance rate hovers around 90%. Successful applicants typically get in with a 3.35 GPA or higher.
On the flip side of that equation, Rice is not considered a party school. Greek life is practically nonexistent. The night life is fairly tepid.
Texas State, on the other hand, is one of the top party schools in the state and the country. San Marcos is buzzing. The Bobcats know how to drink.
Galindo pointed this out on the ESPN broadcast of the Armed Forces Bowl. His friends down I-35 “know how to have a good time.”
https://t.co/tUlje2bD6j pic.twitter.com/3xSYW6QYK6
— Pare For Heisman (@BobcatSicko) January 2, 2026
He is not wrong.
Kelly Damphousse issued a correction!
To be completely fair to Galindo, most Texas State fans would agree with his assessment. They are extremely self-aware. It was a funny (and accurate) quip. Their behavior at the bowl game also backed him up.
The Bobcats completely took over Amon G. Carter Stadium.
They showed out for a lower-tier bowl game against a 5-7 opponent in the middle of the day on Jan. 2.
Great crowd halfway through the 1st quarter of the @ArmedForcesBowl. Noon kickoff on a Friday. https://t.co/MQyYrEhULk pic.twitter.com/Nbtbng3eZ6
— Keff Ciardello (@Keff_C) January 2, 2026
More and more shirts came off as the game went on.
According to boots on the ground, beer sales nearly emptied out the coolers. Fans had to wander over to the other side of the stadium (Rice side) to get a cold one during the second half.
However, Texas State president Kelly Damphousse wants to be very clear. Although Galindo was correct in his assessment of the fun to be had in San Marcos, the academics are allegedly better than he suggested.
I’m not so sure Damphousse’s correction to ESPN actually proves his point, but whatever. He wants it to be known the Bobcats aren’t dumb. They just party harder than you!