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Jax State Secures 26th Conference Title with Dominant Victory Over Western Kentucky

Gamecocks Rout Western Kentucky To Win Conference USA Championship

Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville State Gamecocks turned heartbreak into triumph Friday night, routing Western Kentucky 52-12 in the 20th annual Conference USA Championship Game at Burgess-Snow Field. The victory marked Jax State’s 26th conference title and highlighted their meteoric rise as a program in just their second year as a full-fledged FBS team.

The Gamecocks (9-4) rebounded decisively after a narrow loss to the Hilltoppers just six days earlier, delivering a commanding performance in front of their home crowd at AmFirst Stadium. Quarterback Tyler Huff, named Championship Game MVP, led the charge with a record-breaking display, rushing for 167 yards — the most by a quarterback in CUSA Championship Game history — and adding three total touchdowns.

Jax State jumped to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Huff’s dual-threat brilliance shone as he completed 11-of-15 passes for 176 yards, including touchdown strikes to Sean Brown and Cam Vaughn. He also gashed the Hilltoppers’ defense with a 48-yard run that set the tone early.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez praised his team’s resilience and work ethic.
“We talk about earning success, and they earned this tonight,” Rodriguez said. “These seniors, especially, should be proud to have elevated Jax State to this level.”

Senior running back Tre Stewart added to his storied legacy with 201 rushing yards on 27 carries, including three touchdown runs that extended his season total to 23. He also contributed in the passing game with four receptions for 54 yards.
“I think the pass opened up the run game,” Stewart said. “The offensive line did their job, and we found those lanes.”

Stewart’s performance solidified his place in the record books, becoming one-half of the most productive rushing duo in Jax State history alongside Huff.

The Gamecocks’ defense stifled the Hilltoppers (8-5), holding them to just 229 total yards and a single touchdown. Defensive end J-Rock Swain recorded his ninth career fumble recovery, becoming the school’s all-time leader in the category.
“We had a lot of guys making plays tonight,” Rodriguez said. “The defense was phenomenal.”

Zechariah Poyser led the unit with eight tackles, while Antonio Carter II added six stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Jax State’s 562 total yards showcased a balanced and relentless attack, cementing the program’s place in CUSA history. The 52-12 victory was the second-largest margin in the championship’s history.

This marks Rodriguez’s second CUSA title, the first coming as an offensive coordinator with Tulane in 1998. The win sets the stage for another milestone: a second consecutive bowl appearance for Jax State, with their destination to be announced Dec. 8.

As Jax State prepares for its upcoming bowl game, the program’s rapid ascent continues to captivate fans and players alike.
“They’ve set a legacy,” Rodriguez said. “We’re ahead of schedule, but they’ve earned it.”

With players like Huff and Stewart leading the charge, the Gamecocks have proven they belong among the best in college football.

Gamecocks Rout Western Kentucky To Win Conference USA Championship
Photo Courtesy of JSU

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