EL PASO--Two road games and two home games are all that remain for the Jax State football team in 2025. That stretch begins this afternoon at UTEP as the Gamecocks take on the Miners for the first time since 2023 which was the first game as an FBS and Conference USA member.
 
The Gamecocks have won their last three contests, going on the road twice in Weekday CUSA with a pair of one-possession victories. Most recently, Jax State rattled off 17 fourth quarter points for a 24-21 victory at Middle Tennessee to move to 4-0 in Conference USA.
 
Taking care of the football has been key to the team's success as of late, as the Gamecocks are a +3 over their last three games. The defense has 11 takeaways in eight games and safety Caleb Nix has one in each of his last two games, returning a fumble for a touchdown against Delaware and intercepting a pass to end the first half at Middle Tennessee.
 
On offense, the ground game has been successful with Cam Cook leading the country in rushing with 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, the game at Middle Tennessee saw Jax State post its lowest rushing total of the season. However, the Gamecocks answered with their best passing total of the season, highlighted by Deondre Johnson's four catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
 
In the trenches, the Jax State offensive line has allowed 10 sacks in eight games and the defense has recorded 17 resulting in 103 lost yards by opponents.
 
The Miners enter the contest with a 2-6 record and are playing their first game at the Sun Bowl for the first time in a month. The UTEP defense is third nationally on third down, holding opponents to 24.6% and they lead Conference USA with 20 sacks and 63 tackles for loss. Linebacker Micah Davey leads the league in tackles with 92, which is tied for fifth-most nationally.
 
On offense, wide receiver Kenny Odom averages six catches per game which is at the top of Conference USA. Quarterback Skyler Locklear, an Austin Peay transfer, has accounted for eight touchdowns and is coming off a career-high rushing game against Kennesaw State.

Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Central Time.