ORLANDO, Fla. – Jax State went through its final full-scale workout at Freedom High School in Orlando Wednesday morning and interim head coach Rod Smith was pleased with the Gamecocks' focus as they finalized plans for Friday's 10th annual StaffDNA Cure Bowl match-up against Mid-American Conference champion Ohio.
The Conference USA champion Gamecocks (9-4) are seeking their second straight bowl victory and first 10-win season since 2020. Kickoff for the Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium is set for 11 a.m. CT with TV coverage on ESPN.
Jax State practiced for approximately 75 minutes during its morning session. Baseball Hall of Fame member and Orlando resident Ken Griffey Jr., whose son Ken Griffey (Trey) III was recruited to and coached by Smith at the University of Arizona, watched from the sideline and took photos with Jax State players and staff members afterward.
"Our guys have been pretty much locked in," Smith said. "They've enjoyed the bowl trip but at the same they know what they have to do. I've been pleased with practice so far – all three phases – and we'll see what happens on Friday. It will be a hell of a challenge."
Senior quarterback Tyler Huff, the CUSA MVP and Newcomer of the Year, echoed Smith's thoughts on the squad's bowl preparations.
"Everybody is super pumped," Huff said. "We're all excited. Everybody knows this is the last football game we're ever going to have with this team. It was a very spirited practice today.
"This week has been phenomenal. We're enjoying ourselves but whenever we get in the meeting room or on the practice field, we're zeroing in. We're enjoying ourselves whenever we have our downtime, but when it's football time, it's football time."
The Bobcats (10-3) enter the Cure Bowl riding a six-game win streak. The teams have one common foe in Eastern Michigan, which beat Jax State in double overtime in mid-September and lost to Ohio 35-10 last month.
"They all pass the eye test," Huff said about Friday's opponent. "They're a talented group for sure. We've just got to do what we do."
Jax State will hold a final, one-hour walk-through Thursday morning at Camping World Stadium, the host site for three bowl games in an 11-day span (Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31), in addition to the NFL's Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2, 2025.
Tickets start at $39 and can purchased by clicking here.
The Owens Corning® March 2Cure is a free block party that kicks off at 7 a.m. on Friday with Fan Fest presented by Tomb Slayer Radio on the fields next to Camping World Stadium. The event will be highlighted by a cancer tribute march featuring The Marching Southerners and Ohio University's band, dignitaries, cancer survivors, cancer supporters and the Orlando community before entering the stadium.
