Saturday, November 14
Bowling Green, Ky.
2:30 p.m.
Jax State
at
Western Kentucky
Photo by: Emily Kish / Jax State
11/13/2026 5:30:00 PM | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.—Jax State can clinch its third consecutive Conference USA Football Championship appearance with a win on Saturday when it takes on Western Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
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The Gamecocks are 5-0 in Conference USA play for the third consecutive season and are the only team to start league play 5-0 each of the last three years at the FBS level.
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Jax State came away with a 47-14 win over Sam Houston last week, scoring 23 points in the final 15 minutes of the game which included an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamill Williams. It was the first Jax State kick return touchdown at AmFirst Stadium in over 18 years.
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The Gamecocks are one of just eight FBS teams to have a punt and kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
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Quarterback Caden Creel passed for 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added 87 rushing yards and an additional score. Creel is the only FBS quarterback with an 80-yard pass (completed to Luke Gilbert at Ohio) and an 80-yard rush (against NM State) this year.
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On defense, freshman Brennan Core made his first career start and led the team in tackles with seven. Myles Butler registered 1.5 for loss and Jacob Cruz had his second sack of the season, this one resulting in a safety.
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It was also the first time the Gamecocks did not have a turnover in a game since a November 15th win over Kennesaw State. Jax State is one of just four FBS teams that are minus five or worse in turnover margin and are bowl eligible, joining Buffalo, Virginia Tech, and South Carolina.
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The last three meetings between Jax State and Western Kentucky that have taken place in the regular season have been decided by a field goal in the final three seconds. The two Gamecock winners (from 41 by Alen Karajic in 2023 and 28 by Garrison Rippa in 2025) went through the uprights with the clock at zero. Lucas Carneiro gave the Hilltoppers a spot in the 2024 CUSA Championship with a 50-yarder with three seconds remaining.
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The record is a bit deceiving, starting the season with road trips to Nevada, Georgia, and Indiana. Most recently, the dropped a 51-42 contest at Middle Tennessee last Saturday in their sixth road game in nine contests.
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Quarterback Brock Glenn is the team's leading rusher and passer with 533 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. Jonathan Stafford is his top target with 54 catches for 523 yards.
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On defense, Westen Ard, Justin Brown, and Mackavelli Malotumau all have racked up 5.5 tackles for loss this season. Tony Newsome Jr. has a team-best two interceptions. The leading tackler is Jaylen Lewis with 68, recording a pair for loss, and has forced two fumbles.
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The Gamecocks are 5-0 in Conference USA play for the third consecutive season and are the only team to start league play 5-0 each of the last three years at the FBS level.
Â
Jax State came away with a 47-14 win over Sam Houston last week, scoring 23 points in the final 15 minutes of the game which included an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jamill Williams. It was the first Jax State kick return touchdown at AmFirst Stadium in over 18 years.
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The Gamecocks are one of just eight FBS teams to have a punt and kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
Â
Quarterback Caden Creel passed for 246 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added 87 rushing yards and an additional score. Creel is the only FBS quarterback with an 80-yard pass (completed to Luke Gilbert at Ohio) and an 80-yard rush (against NM State) this year.
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On defense, freshman Brennan Core made his first career start and led the team in tackles with seven. Myles Butler registered 1.5 for loss and Jacob Cruz had his second sack of the season, this one resulting in a safety.
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It was also the first time the Gamecocks did not have a turnover in a game since a November 15th win over Kennesaw State. Jax State is one of just four FBS teams that are minus five or worse in turnover margin and are bowl eligible, joining Buffalo, Virginia Tech, and South Carolina.
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The last three meetings between Jax State and Western Kentucky that have taken place in the regular season have been decided by a field goal in the final three seconds. The two Gamecock winners (from 41 by Alen Karajic in 2023 and 28 by Garrison Rippa in 2025) went through the uprights with the clock at zero. Lucas Carneiro gave the Hilltoppers a spot in the 2024 CUSA Championship with a 50-yarder with three seconds remaining.
Â
The record is a bit deceiving, starting the season with road trips to Nevada, Georgia, and Indiana. Most recently, the dropped a 51-42 contest at Middle Tennessee last Saturday in their sixth road game in nine contests.
Â
Quarterback Brock Glenn is the team's leading rusher and passer with 533 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. Jonathan Stafford is his top target with 54 catches for 523 yards.
Â
On defense, Westen Ard, Justin Brown, and Mackavelli Malotumau all have racked up 5.5 tackles for loss this season. Tony Newsome Jr. has a team-best two interceptions. The leading tackler is Jaylen Lewis with 68, recording a pair for loss, and has forced two fumbles.
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Players Mentioned
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