Scouting report: What you need to know about Jax State’s matchup with KSU in CUSA title game
Another championship is on the line for Jacksonville State at AmFirst Stadium.
The Gamecocks are set to host rival Kennesaw State on Friday for the Conference USA championship game, marking a rematch from the regular-season clash that saw the Owls fall 35-26.
Jax State (8-4, 7-1 CUSA) beat Western Kentucky 37-34 on Saturday. Kennesaw State (9-3, 7-1 CUSA) beat liberty 48-42 in double overtime on the road.
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Here’s everything you need to know about Friday’s game, including a key matchup, storylines and a score prediction.
Key matchup
Jax State’s run game vs. Kennesaw State’s run defense
It’s no secret Jax State’s run game ranks among the best in the nation, backed by star running back Cam Cook and quarterback Caden Creel. The Gamecocks rank third in the nation in rushing yards per game (262), 13th in yards per rush (5.54) and have 29 rushing touchdowns as a team.
Cook still leads all FBS players in rushing yards (1,581), while Creel ranks No. 34 in overall rushing yards (973) and ninth in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.44).
Kennesaw State’s run defense ranks at No. 96 in the nation with 172.6 rushing yards allowed per game, which includes allowing 291 on the ground against Liberty last week in a double-overtime battle. Cook rolled up 132 yards and a touchdown, while Creel added 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, true freshman Elijah Hill leads the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, while Tylon Dunlap has nine tackles for loss and five sacks. Baron Hopson has 120 tackles on the season and is the highest-graded Owl in run defense, per Pro Football Focus. With some playmakers on the DL, the Gamecocks will still need to keep an eye on this group heading into Friday as there’s plenty of familiarity heading into this championship tilt.
Jacksonville State football coach Charles Kelly directs the team from the sidelines against Western Kentucky.Madison Giltner, Jax State Athletics
Storylines
Used to tight matchups
These two Conference USA squads are no strangers to some tight matchups this season, with another likely to come on Friday.
Kennesaw State heads into this matchup having won five one-possession games this season, which is tied for first among all FBS programs; two of those have come in back-to-back weeks since the Owls’ first matchup with Jax State, beating Missouri State 41-34 and Liberty 48-42 in double overtime.
Meanwhile, the Gamecocks have won four one-possession games this season after taking a 37-34 thriller over Western Kentucky with a last-minute field goal from Garrison Rippa. The only CUSA games for Jax State that haven’t been decided by one possession are both at home: a 38-25 win over Delaware and the 35-26 win over Kennesaw State.
Starting WR looks to return
After missing last week’s game against Western Kentucky, Jax State coach Charles Kelly said he expects wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner to play. Kelly said on Wednesday the wide receiver has practiced throughout the week.
Rechsteiner was seen with a boot on his left foot in street clothes in last week’s win over the Hilltoppers and was listed as questionable on the injury report. Rechsteiner has 33 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns across 11 games this season for Jax State, also running the ball three times for 17 yards and a 13-yard touchdown against Georgia Southern.
“He actually warmed up the other day and tweaked his ankle; and I say tweaked, but it was a little worse than we thought,” Kelly said. “We thought we were going to be able to get him for the game. He went out, warmed up, he wanted to play, but I wanted to make sure he was 100%.
“Our first priority here is the health and safety of our athletes, and we wanted to make sure that he was healthy for this game and the bowl game.”
Prediction
Jacksonville State 37, Kennesaw State 34
It’s tough to beat a team twice, but Jax State has all the momentum and pieces to do so on Friday.
After an undefeated regular season run at home, Jax State has one of the longest home winning streaks among all FBS teams at 11 straight; the Gamecocks are tied for Ole Miss at third among FBS teams behind Indiana (15) and Ohio (13).
Jax State’s secondary has been battle-tested all season long and was one of the bright spots in last week’s victory over Western Kentucky. With the defensive line the strength of the team, an Owls team that scores plenty of points will provide another test in the air and on the ground.
But, with the Creel-Cook duo rolling at the right time and Deondre Johnson blossoming in Jax State’s wide receiver room, Jax State heads into this one riding high.
Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel dives for the end zone against Kennesaw State.Madison Giltner, Jax State Athletics
Game info
Who: Kennesaw State (9-3) at Jacksonville State (8-4)
Where: Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville, Ala.
When: Saturday, Dec. 5 – 6 p.m. CT
Watch: CBS Sports Network
On the call: Rich Waltz, Robert Turbin, Jordan Giorgio (TV); Mike Parris, Ray Hammett, Tommy Wood (radio)
Listen: WLJS 91.9
