Bowling Green, KY – After weeks of flirting with a setback, Jax State loses hold on momentum headed into Friday’s rematch with Western Kentucky in the CUSA title game.
By: Joe Medley
Western Kentucky 19, Jax State 17
Two words fit Jacksonville State’s 19-17 loss at Western Kentucky on Saturday … meaningless, but worrisome.
The game meant nothing to the Gamecocks. Win or lose, they had earned the right to play host to the CUSA title game Friday at 6 p.m.
Western was playing for the right to play in next week’s conference final, and the Hilltoppers earned a rematch.
Taken on its own, that might explain how a Western outgained Jax State 426 yards to 328, held the Gamecocks to 13 first downs and held the ball nearly 13 minutes longer.
Western, which entered the game with the nation’s 123rd-ranked rushing defense, played keepaway against Jax State, which came in with the No. 2 rushing offense FBS.
In its own way, Western beat Jax State at its own game. There’s a head scratcher.
Western quarterback Caden Veltcamp passed for 301 yards. Running back Elijah accounted for 169 total yards, including 91 rushing yards.
Add an injury that took Jax State quarterback Tyler Huff out of the game at 7:20 in the third quarter, and it just wasn’t Jax State’s day. It was Lucas Corneiro’s day to kick the game-winning 50-yard field goal with three seconds left.
Then again, was it just a day, or is it a trend?
It’s been a minute since we saw the dominant form Jax State showed in the first four of its eight consecutive victories after an 0-3 start. A Hail Mary at the end of regulation saved a 44-37 victory in overtime at Louisiana Tech. Florida International gave Jax State an uncomfortable day at home, falling 34-31.
Last week, Sam Houston State held Jax State to 21 points, easily the Gamecocks’ lowest total in CUSA play.
It’s been a while since we saw Jax State flash those “style points” Sam Houston State coach K.C. Keeler talked about. Jax State flirted with defeat for weeks before defeat made its move Saturday.
Western Kentucky will come to Jacksonville rejuvenated.
The Hilltoppers had lost to Louisiana Tech and Liberty in back-to-back games. Western had played themselves all but out of the conference championship picture.
But for Sam Houston State beating Liberty on Friday, Western would’ve had nothing to play for Saturday. The Hilltoppers got the help they needed and found the secret sauce to do what no one else in CUSA could do this season before Saturday.
They beat Jax State.
With all of the excitement around Jax State earning the right to play host to its conference title game, momentum completed a turn it’s been taking lately. The question becomes, how Jax State responds and plays Friday at home.
Game updates
–Kickoff, 3 p.m.
–Jax State wins toss, defers. WKU will receive the opening kickoff.
FIRST QUARTER
–WKU gets on the board first, with Elijah Young catching a short pass and finishing off a 21-yard, catch-and-run touchdown untouchedayt 8:48. Lucas Carnejiero’s PAT is good. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:40. WKU 7, JAX STATE 0
–Garrison RIppa gets Jax State on the board with a 46-yard field goal at 3:19. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:09. Tyler Huff had 51 of those yards on one run, but the drive stalled after that. WKU 7, JAX STATE 3
SECOND QUARTER
–Tre Stewart’s 8-yard TD run gains Jax State its first lead today Rippa’s PAT is good at 3:42. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 1:21. JAX STATE 10, WKU 7
–WKU ties it on Corneiro’s 50-yard field goal at 0:41. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 2:56. JAX STATE 10, WKU 10
THIRD QUARTER
–WKU retakes the lead on Corneiro’s 21-yard field goal at 7:31. Drive: 15 plays, 79 yards, 6:02. WKU 13, JAX STATE 10
–At 7:20, Jax State QB Tyler Huff is helped off of the field after what appears to be an injury to his left ankle. Logan Smothers in at QB.
–At 1:42, Jax State linebacker Fred Perry down. He walks off under his own power. (Came back into the game in fourth quarter)
FOURTH QUARTER
–Corneiro’s 35-yard field goal attempt is good at 11:37. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 5:36. WKU 16, JAX STATE 10
–Smothers’ 17-yard TD run and Rippa’s PAT at 9:44 regain the lead for Jax State. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:53. Smothers’ 47-yard pass to Michael Pettway keyed the drive. JAX STATE 17, WKU 16
–With 3 seconds left, Corneiro hits a 49-yard field goal. WKU 19, JAX STATE 17
FINAL: WKU beats Jax State 19-17, will play the Gamecocks at Jacksonville in Friday’s CUSA Championship. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
