Jacksonville, AL – Huff’s Hail Mary pass to Vaughn forces overtime, and Jax State beats Louisiana Tech for sixth consecutive victory, bowl eligibility.
Jax State 44, La. Tech 37 (final, OT)
By Joe Medley
Jax State’s move to FBS seemed like a Hail Mary.
Thanks to an actual Hail Mary pass on the final play of regulation at Louisiana Tech on Saturday, the Gamecocks have achieved bowl eligibility in both FBS seasons.
Cam Vaugh’s catch, followed by Garrison Rippa’s missed extra point, forced overtime, and Tre Stewart’s 11-yard touchdown run in overtime proved to the difference as Jax State beat Louisiana Tech 44-37 in Ruston, La.
J-Rock Swain’s sack of Evan Bullock on fourth down and one from Jax State’s 16-yard line clinched the Gamecocks’ sixth consecutive victory after an 0-3 start.
Jax State, which won the New Orleans Bowl in in 2023, the program’s first FBS season, is 6-3 and eligible for a bowl in 2024.
“We’re at a great place,” Jax State coach Rich Rodriguez said. “I think our guys have the right kind of culture, and we’ve got players that play really hard, and love each other and I’m fortunate to have a good staff as well.”
They also remain unbeaten in Conference USA play and on course to win its first conference title in FBS.
Huff’s 49-yard heave on the final play of regulation got over a cluster of Tech defenders and Jax State receivers to Vaughn, who got behind the pack and in the end zone.
The Gamecocks, who led 28-14, had to come back after Tech scored 23 unanswered points to take a 37-28 lead with 10:20 left in the fourth quarter.
Rippa’s 40-yard field goal closed the gap to 37-31 with 5:55 to play, setting the stage for Huff’s second, and most dramatic, touchdown hookup with Vaughn on the day.
“We played so poorly in the second half, and then we were just dead in the water,” Rodriguez said. “And yet our defense played well enough to give us a chance. Our offense wasn’t doing anything in the second half. And then finally, at the end of the game, Tyler put a couple nice drives together, and then what are you gonna say about the Hail Mary?
“We practice it, but you gotta have a little bit of luck. But it worked out. He was in the perfect spot in the end zone. It was a perfect ball thrown. He had enough protection, and then we have to go to overtime to finish it.”
Game updates
–Kickoff 3:30 p.m.
FIRST QUARTER
–Jax State takes its first drive down the field at pace, and Andrew Paul is in with a 1-yard TD run. Garrison Rippa adds the extra point at 8:57. Drive: 17 plays, 75 yards, 6:03. Of the 17 plays, 15 were rushes. JAX STATE 7, LA. TECH 0
–Tru Evans makes a back-reaching, one-handed catch of Evan Bullock’s screen then goes 86 yards for a TD. PAT good at 1:32. JAX STATE 7, LA. TECH 7
SECOND QUARTER
–Tre Stewart, on his 19th carry of the game, runs four yards for a TD, and Rippa’s PAT is good at 11:56. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:36. JAX STATE 14, LA. TECH 7
–After Fred Perry’s strip sack, Jawaun Campbell returns the fumble to the Tech 3–yard line. That sets up Tyler Huff’s 1-yard keeper for a TD. Rippa’s PAT is good at 8:25. JAX STATE 21, LA. TECH 7
–Jimmy Holiday takes a direct snap for a 2-yard TD run, and Buck Buchanan’s PAT is good at 4:59. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:18. JAX STATE 21, LA. TECH 14
–Huff connects with Cam Vaughn for a 31-yard TD pass, and Rippa adds the PAT at 2:50. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:09. JAX STATE 28, LA. TECH 14
–Bullock throws a 3-yard TD pass to Edwards, and Buchanan adds the PAT at 0:23. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:27. Gamecocks’ struggling to shake these guys, but they’ve been strongest in the second half. JAX STATE 28, LA. TECH 21
THIRD QUARTER
–Bullock throws a 32-yard TD pass to Jay Wilkerson, and Buchanan adds the PAT to tie it. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:45. JAX STATE 28, LA. TECH 28
–Safety … snap over punter Jack Dawson’s head. Dawson retrieves it in the end zone and runs out of the back at 3:37. Tech with its first lead. LA. TECH 30, JAX STATE 28
FOURTH QUARTER
–Matt Crosby’s 4-yard TD run and Buchanan’s PAT puts La. Tech further ahead at 10:20. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:42. Tech has scored 23 unanswered points. LA. TECH 37, JAX STATE 28.
–Rippa’s 40-yard field goal attempt at 5:55 is good. Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 4:25. LA. TECH 37, JAX STATE 31
–On fourth down and six at midfield, Huff’s pass to Sean Brown over the middle defended. La. Tech takes possession with 1:46 to play.
–On the game’s final play from scrimmage, Huff lofts a Hail Mary, and Vaughn catches it in the end zone for a 49-yard TD. Rippa misses the PAT at 0:00. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 0:39. JAX STATE 37, LA. TECH 37
OVERTIME
–Stewart, on his 34th carry of the game, in with an 11-yard TD run. Rippa’s PAT is good. JAX STATE 44, LA. TECH 37
–Jax State stops Tech on fourth down … J-Rock Swain sacks Bullock on fourth and one at Jax State’s 16-yard line.
FINAL: Jax State wins 44-37, in OT,
