Jacksonville, AL – Jax State rallies to defeat Conference USA favorite Western Kentucky and reaches bowl eligibility in its the very first FBS game of the season.
Questions for press Jax State players recruited in the program’s Football Championship Subdivision era keep getting new pinch-me levels.
Preseason, prior to the Gamecocks’ inaugural Football Bowl Subdivision season: What does it mean being an FBS player in the present?
After a rout of UTEP in Jax State’s FBS and Conference USA opener: what did it feel like winning in your role as an FBS player?
Oct. 17 after beating CUSA the team that is favored by CUSA Western Kentucky 20-17 to reach the FBS bowl eligibility threshold of six wins. Is this not even the most improbable aspirations of any player who has been passed over?
It’s the way things are at present, Jax State stands 6-2.
It’s as if things are in order now, following Alen Karajic slipped and hit an unbeatable 41-yard field goal that ended the Gamecocks’ run from a 10-0 deficit.
So, that’s the way things are going following Jax State limited CUSA’s best offense to 69 yards during the second quarter and played 95 plays to fuel the Hilltoppers defense.
It wasn’t a miracle. This is Jax State’s take on Deion Sanders’ Colorado story, just without receipts, watches or even an apparent decline following an euphoric beginning.
“The Hard Edge Bar and Grill’ will be open until midnight the night,” said buoyant second-year Jax State coach Rich Rodriguez the fictional version of the establishment of Norm.
Bottoms up, since Jax State started from the bottom. Now, it’s here.
Standard disclaimer: The Gamecocks are still in transition and bowl guarantees are not in place. There should be more bowling spots available than teams with eligibility in order to allow them to start bowling after the regular season has ended.
However, transitioning FBS programs cross the bowl eligibility threshold more frequently than a closing time that is earlier in the Hard Edge these days. When you look at the Gamecocks’ schedule All three CUSA opponents are looking at Jax State.
Think of RichRod’s Jax State winning nine games in the first FBS season. He was the one to lead his team the Gamecocks to nine victories in their previous FCS season.
In the context of all things relative this could say that the distinction between the high FCS as well as the FBS “Group of Five” has become blurred. Also, it suggests that a team which beat Florida State two years ago was more ready for the roster than anyone could have imagined in particular after RichRod had two overhauling cycles.
Other programs are also affected by the drop of shoes such as Jax State when things reach the point of being too good to be true. It is a thought that occurs to ask questions such as, when is the best time to make RichRod’s contract sweeter?
Louisville pulled Bobby Petrino back after his one-season shower at Western Kentucky and Western did not even play in a bowl during that time. There’s always a group of “Power 5” in search of help with full pockets and able to cover the purchase price of $5 million for RichRod’s.
Too quickly?
Okay, let’s enjoy the present moment, beginning at the quarterback that returned from concussion treatment to account for 364 yards total and a touchdown on Tuesday. Zion Webb came to Jax State close to the Gamecocks the team’s 2016 FCS championship game appearance than their initial FBS bowl race.
However, Webb was quarterback of record at the time Jax State beat UTEP the Gamecocks the first CUSA game, and their first with the FBS program. Webb was the quarterback at the time Jax State rallied then routed Middle Tennessee State two weeks ago. He was also the quarterback in charge when Jax State beat the CUSA most favored team.
“It’s an important distinction, in terms of people who don’t believe in us, or not believing that we’re meant to be here,” he said. “We’re here and prepared to go. There’s no stopping us now.
“You’ve been obligated to watch Jax State. We’re making an impression. We’re here because we belong.”
The former Oxford defensive lineman J-Rock Swain once had to wait for the then-FCS Jax State’s offer. He was initially committed to Austin Peay and stayed home only after Jax State got in on his offer at the last minute.
Six tackles with the one loss tackle, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup Tuesday indicate that he’s an FBS problem.
“Coach RichRod truly brought a new style of life,” he told. “It’s simply winning. We’re going to win. The standards were high, and we aren’t sure we can win.”
Game updates
A timeline of crucial moments from Jax State’s win against Western Kentucky on Tuesday,
-Kickoff 6:30 p.m.
Jax State wins the toss but postpones. WKU will receive the kickoff in the first half.
FIRST Quarter
Messer returns to WKU 25. First down.
A good defensive game to Jax State, allows one first down and stops the Tops. Zion Webb starts at QB for Jax State.
The second drive of WKU’s football team will hit the paydirt … (or) pays turf. Austin Reed to Dalvin Smith over the middle, 10 yards TD pass. PAT successful. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:20. WKU 7, JSU 0.
Jabari Mack of JSU breaks up with a third-down pass into the final zone to Craig Burt Jr., and Lucas Carneiro kicks a short field goal at 1:55: WKU 10, JSU 0.
SECOND QARTER
Webb, who played JSU’s most important move of the game with a 32-yard scramble into the WKU 25. … The scramble sets Webb’s 10-yard zone-read goalkeeper to score the Jax State TD. Alen Karajic’s penalty is on time at 12:45. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:10. WKU 10, JSU 7
Fred Perry is intercepted by Fred Perry on the Reed pass and fumbles the return. WKU recovers the ball at JSU 40. … This leads to Reed’s passing at close-quarterback River Helms for a short TD pass. PAT was good at 8:36. WKU 17, JSU 7
Jax State’s Jwan Evans was injured following an unintentional pass reception. Jax State does not need a second injury to its running back. He walks away on his own.
Webb breaks another major scramble. The blitz was emanating from the right, then began to run … He ran 42 yards to 28 yards for WKU. Webb is averaging 91 yards in rushing with just six runs. … Webb keeps running for 11 more yards, over 100 yards for the game. … Webb throws uncomplete on the third and goal. WKU is flagged as DPI, second and final at 2. The game is currently being reviewed. The ball was tipped near the line, which means there was there was no DPI. Ball returned to the 5 4. Karajic kicks a field goal of 23 yards at 5:35. WKU 17, JSU 10.
JSU D makes a stop, and the team will begin with Gamecocks’ 9 after a punt with 3:47 remaining in the second half.
THIRD Quarter
A defensive struggle has been the norm this half as well Jax State gets a stop on the fourth and 2 in midfield.
Webb throws down the field … and is intercepted by Anthony Johnson Jr. WKU starts at the 34-yard line.
Thanks to a brilliant game made by Derek Carter to knock away Reed’s long pass, Jax State gets a 3-out and is able to take over at 32.
Fourth Quarter
Jax State isn’t able to make a run on the second and fourth at West Kentucky’s 26 … poor pitch that goes beyond the bounds of the field for an injury of three.
Another obstacle for JSU’s defense which has had a remarkable half against the top CUSA offense. WKU was able to score 270 yards by halftime, and now has 55 yards in the half.
Webb runs seven yards, bringing WKU’s total to 48 yard line, which is slowed after the play. … The player walks off on his own. … Logan Smothers makes a quick passing move to make it third down and Webb is back to the action.
-Webb fake reverse, which hits the big touchdown for Sean Brown down to WKU’s 26 yards, and sets the stage for Anwar Lewis for his 26-yard TD run. Karajic’s punt is excellent at 4:40. Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 3:39. JSU 17, WKU 17
Jax State D makes another stop. WKU punts with 2:42 to go. Jax State takes over on its 32.
-P.J. Wells with a huge catch and a run the WKU’s 33. The tackle was smashed. There’s 1:43 left.
The Gamecocks have gone at and pace in during this game and it’s looking like the Gamecocks are getting WKU gassed. Webb is able to keep a lead down to 17 for WKU. The timeout is WKU at 1:15, with 1:05 left to play. … Webb runs across in the center of the field. Jax State appears to be creating to score the field goal. Timingout: WKU and 1:11 remaining.
Timeout, JSU, with 23 seconds remaining. Jax State has third down at 21.
Timeout, JSU, with 0:04 left. Karajic field goal is pending.
Karajic skis, but still throws the ball through uprights.
FINAL: JSU 20, WKU 17.
