Jacksonville State Falls to Kennesaw State in C-USA Title Bout

December 5, 2025 - JACJSONVILLE - The Jacksonville State Gamecocks fell 19–15 to Kennesaw State at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, after a last-minute touchdown dashed their hopes of a title.

It was a battle of two rising programs, both fairly new to the FBS stage, but it was Kennesaw State that walked away with the hardware, thanks to a clutch fourth-quarter drive and a resilient defensive stand.

A Defensive Slugfest Early

From the opening whistle, it was clear this would be a defensive struggle. Both teams traded punts and field position in a first half dominated by hard hits and missed opportunities. Kennesaw State struck first with a pair of field goals, taking a 6–0 lead into halftime. Jacksonville State's offense, led by freshman quarterback Caden Creel, struggled to find rhythm against the Owls' aggressive front seven.

Creel's Heroics Spark a Comeback

The Gamecocks came alive in the third quarter. After a defensive stop, Creel engineered a 75-yard drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown run - a dazzling scramble that saw him break two tackles and dive into the end zone. JSU then converted a gutsy two-point attempt, taking a 15–12 lead with just over six minutes remaining.

The Gamecock faithful, many of whom made the trip from Alabama, erupted in celebration. It felt like momentum had finally shifted.

Kennesaw's Answer: A Championship Drive

But Kennesaw State wasn't done. Quarterback Amari Odom, a redshirt freshman who had been steady all night, led a poised and methodical drive in the game's final minutes. With under a minute to play, Odom found wide receiver Navelle Dean on an 11-yard slant for the go-ahead touchdown. The extra point made it 19–15.

Jacksonville State had one last chance, but a sack and a pair of incompletions sealed their fate.

A Season to Remember

Despite the loss, Jacksonville State's 2025 campaign will go down as a successful one, The Gamecocks finished 8–35 earned a spot in the conference title game and will be going to a bowl game.

Jacksonville State now awaits its bowl destination, with projections pointing to a potential berth in the New Orleans Bowl or the Cure Bowl. For a team that just transitioned from the FCS two years ago, the future is bright.

As for Kennesaw State, the Owls made history by becoming the first team to win a conference title in their first FBS season - a feat that will be remembered across college football.

But in Alabama, the story is about resilience, pride, and a Gamecock team that gave its fans a thrilling ride in 2025. From the wire-to-wire wins to the heartbreak in Lynchburg, Jacksonville State has laid the foundation for something lasting.