Jacksonville State Gamecocks News

Creel throws 4 of 5 TD passes to Williams as Jacksonville State beats Eastern Kentucky 49-7

Caden Creel throws four of his five touchdown passes to Jamill Williams, leading Jacksonville State to a 49-7 victory over Eastern Kentucky

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Luke Gilbert - Catches first TD Gilbert caught one pass for a 24-yard touchdown against EKU on Saturday.

Impact This is Gilbert's first college touchdown. However, the tight end also has two catches in his college career, both these season.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ronnel Johnson - Still scuffling with JSU Johnson caught three passes for 33 yards against EKU on Saturday.

Impact Last year Johnson had 35 catches for 463 yards for Missouri State. This season, though, he opened with two catches for 11 yards in Week 0. This was a better performance, but three catches for 33 yards is not good, and it's definitely not good against an FCS opponent.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Likely - Breaks off big runs Likely ran five times for 73 yards and a touchdown against EKU on Saturday.

Impact Likely hasn't yet proven to be the next productive primary back for the Gamecocks, which has been the norm for this program. However, he's gotten the most touches and shown the most upside, so maybe Likely will be yet-another back to go over 1,000 yards with double-digit touchdowns for JSU.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Caden Creel - Airs it out against EKU Creel went 21-for-28 for 327 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception against EKU on Saturday. He also ran 10 times for 54 yards.

Impact This is unexpected, even against an FCS team. Last season Creel took over as JSU's quarterback, but he had 1,514 yards passing and 1,075 yards rushing. He three nine touchdowns last season, and he threw five in this game alone. It's obviously good to see him show this upside, but don't expect Creel to being a big-time passer.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ronnel Johnson - Doesn't impress in JSU debut Johnson had two catches for 11 yards Saturday against NDSU.

Impact Johnson was good for Stetson in 2024, and in 2025 had 463 yards for Missouri State. He's now with Jacksonville State, but he did not make a splash here in Week 0.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Deondre Johnson - Held to 26 yards Johnson caught two passes for 26 yards against NDSU on Saturday.

Impact Down the stretch last year, Johnson became the top receiver the Gamecocks, with four 100-yard games in his last seven outings. Technically, Johnson was comfortably the lead receiver for JSU in this game, but obviously these numbers are concerning.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Likely - Rushes for 48 yards Likely ran 11 times for 48 yards and had two catches for 17 yards versus NDSU on Saturday.

Impact There are actually some positives to take from this game for Likely. Jacksonville State has a run-happy offense, and the staff has preferred a single primary back, who tends to put up big numbers. No other running back got more than a single carry for the Gamecocks, so it appears Likely is that primary back.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Creel - Struggles in season opener Creel went 12-for-23 for 85 yards and an interception against NDSU on Saturday. He also ran 15 times for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Impact This is rough, but as an FCS team NDSU showed many an opponent how tough it is to play at the Fargodome. Plus, the rushing numbers weren't terrible, and that's where this offense is focused. Creel will need to look better against Eastern Kentucky, though.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 0 North Dakota State is set to make its FBS debut this Saturday when the Bison face the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in college football Week...

AUGUST 28 • SI.COM

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

Welcome to Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers. This week, Sammy P breaks down what wise guys are betting ahead of college football Week 0.

AUGUST 27 • FOX SPORTS

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

David Alpers III - Enters Week 0 as starter Alpers is a starter for Jacksonville State ahead of the 2026 campaign, per Mike Bainbridge of Athlon Sports.

Impact Alpers spent the past two seasons with FCS South Dakota State, where he totaled just 10 catches for 170 yards and a score. However, he's earned the Gamecocks' starting tight end role ahead of the 2026 campaign.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Darius Cannon - Listed as starter Cannon is listed as a starting wide receiver ahead of Jacksonville State's Week 0 clash with North Dakota State, per Mike Bainbridge of Athlon Sports.

Impact Cannon transferred from FCS Murray State, where he had a stellar fall last season to the tune of 77 catches for 737 yards and three scores. Now, the 5-10 receiver gets to prove his worth at the FBS level.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Ronnel Johnson - Starting for Gamecocks Johnson is listed as a starting wide receiver for Jacksonville State ahead of Week 0 against North Dakota State, per Mike Bainbridge of Athlon Sports.

Impact Johnson spent the 2025 season with Missouri State, reeling in 35 catches for 463 yards and two scores. He was a productive receiver before that at FCS Stetson, and now, he gets his chance as a starter in the Gamecocks' offense.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Likely - Listed as RB1 Likely is listed as the Gamecocks' starting running back ahead of Week 0 against North Dakota State, per Mike Bainbridge of Athlon Sports.

Impact Likely logged just seven carries for 52 yards with Jacksonville State last fall, but he looks primed to lead the Gamecocks' backfield in 2026. Cedrick Kouemi is listed behind him as the RB2.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

North Dakota State has won at a record rate at the lower levels. The Bison are rumbling into the FBS

North Dakota State paved the road to reach the FBS with a record 10 national championships in a 14-year span that highlighted the two-decade stay in the FCS

AUGUST 21 • Associated Press

Liberty's Chadwell eyes a Conference USA rebound after surgery and a 4-8 stumble

Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell has been looking forward to the upcoming season perhaps more than any other

AUGUST 12 • Associated Press

6 college football coaches under the most pressure entering the 2026 season

Patience for poor performance is rare in college football, and several coaches are feeling the heat as the 2026 season arrives

AUGUST 7 • Associated Press

Caden Creel - Shows off deep ball in spring game Creel was a standout at the Jacksonville State spring game while putting his deep ball on display, per Jared Gravette of The Anniston Star.

Impact Creel started off the spring game with a bang, connecting with receivers on a pair of long touchdown passes in the first quarter. The first score came on a 74-yard strike to receiver Darius Cannon before Creel connected with Bryson Roullier on a 55-yard score on the next drive. The 6-foot quarterback was largely known as a runner last season as he threw for 1,514 yards and nine touchdowns to four interceptions while accounting for 1,075 yards and seven scores on the ground.

APRIL 23 • ROTOWIRE

Darius Cannon - Headed to Jacksonville State Cannon will transfer to Jacksonville State, per 247Sports.com.

Impact Cannon transferred to Murray State after failing to make an impact at Kentucky. He immediately made an impact at the FCS level, notching 76 catches for 726 yards and three touchdowns. Now, he'll head to the Gamecocks, where he'll look to crack the receiver rotation early.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Deondre Johnson - Eclipses 100 yards in victory Johnson caught six passes for 101 yards during Tuesday's 17-13 victory versus Troy.

Impact Johnson started to catch steam at the end of the 2025 season, and he capped off the year with another 100-yard performance, his fourth in the Gamecocks' last seven games. The sophomore wideout finished the season with 30 grabs for 724 yards and six touchdowns, and with two years of eligibility remaining, looks to have a bright future.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Creel - Offers just enough as a passer Creel was 14-for-20 passing for 173 yards and one touchdown during Tuesday's 17-13 win versus Troy. He also had 13 rushes for -10 yards.

Impact Though Creel didn't stuff the stat sheet, he was efficient, completing 70 percent of his throws, and he didn't turn the ball over, both of which are steps in the right direction for the redshirt sophomore gunslinger. In his first year of action with the Gamecocks, he tossed for 1,514 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 1,075 yards and seven scores. The ability Creel flashed as a dual threat will likely earn him more chances at a starting gig in his remaining two years of eligibility.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Likely - Records rushing attempt Likely (undisclosed) logged a rushing attempt during Tuesday's 17-13 win over Troy.

Impact Jacksonville State participated in the Cramton Bowl. During 2025, Likely logged seven rushing attempts for 52 yards, 7.4 averaged per carry. He also recorded three receptions without any drops.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jacksonville State holds off Troy 17-13 to win Salute to Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State beats Troy 17-13 on Tuesday night to win the Salute to Veterans Bowl

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Veterans Bowl: Watch Troy-Jacksonville State football bowl game tonight free livestream The Troy Trojans play against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in a college football bowl game tonight. Fans can watch this game for free on...

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • AL.COM

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Creel throws 4 of 5 TD passes to Williams as Jacksonville State beats Eastern Kentucky 49-7

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

North Dakota State has won at a record rate at the lower levels. The Bison are rumbling into the FBS

Liberty's Chadwell eyes a Conference USA rebound after surgery and a 4-8 stumble

6 college football coaches under the most pressure entering the 2026 season

Jacksonville State holds off Troy 17-13 to win Salute to Veterans Bowl