The Jacksonville State Gamecocks achieved a thrilling 17-13 victory over the Troy Trojans in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl held at Cramton Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama. This win marks their second consecutive bowl triumph during their early years in the FBS.
The contest began with a strong start for Jacksonville State, as quarterback Caden Creel connected with Brock Rechsteiner for a wide-open 22-yard touchdown on their initial possession, establishing an early 7-0 lead. However, the momentum shifted when Troy”s defense capitalized on a crucial turnover. Attempting a flea-flicker near their own end zone, Jacksonville State was caught off guard as Troy executed a strip sack on Creel, recovering the ball for a defensive touchdown, leveling the game at 7-7.
This defensive score ignited a 13-0 run for the Trojans. Kicker Scott Taylor Renfroe made two field goals, from 38 and 30 yards, respectively, granting Troy a 13-7 advantage at halftime, capping off a second quarter that lacked scoring.
As the third quarter progressed, with 6:35 left on the clock, Garrison Rippa brought the Gamecocks back into contention with a 51-yard field goal, narrowing Troy”s lead to 13-10. Riding that wave of momentum, Jacksonville State opened the fourth quarter with an impressive 11-play drive, culminating in running back Andrew Paul scoring a touchdown to give his team a 17-13 lead.
Despite the deficit, Troy”s defense remained tenacious, providing their offense with chances to reclaim the lead. Facing a critical 4th and 6 situation at the Jacksonville State 27-yard line with less than six minutes left, wide receiver Peyton Higgins was ruled short of the first down after his knee touched the ground before he could reach the marker. The Trojans” subsequent drive saw backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease, who filled in for the injured Goose Crowder, throw an interception to Tyrin Taylor on a desperate sideline pass.
With 2:20 remaining, Creel connected with Deondre Johnson for a crucial 28-yard completion on 3rd and 6, forcing Troy to use their final timeout. Although the Trojans regained possession with time remaining, they were unable to execute a last-minute comeback. Kilcrease”s Hail Mary attempt reached the end zone but was deflected and ultimately fell incomplete, sealing the Gamecocks” victory.
Troy concluded its season with a record of 8-6, ending a seven-game winning streak against Jacksonville State. Historically, the Trojans had dominated this rivalry, winning every matchup between 1995 and 2001 when both teams competed as FCS rivals. However, in this first-ever meeting between the two programs in the FBS realm, Jacksonville State emerged victorious, bringing home the trophy. The Gamecocks finished the season with a 9-5 record, marking their third consecutive season with at least nine wins and providing a fitting conclusion to Charles Kelly“s debut season as head coach.
