Jacksonville, Alabama – In an a very evenly matched opener for Collegefootballfan.com statistically and on the scoreboard, three turnovers made the difference as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the UTEP Miners, 17-14. For JSU, they started their first season successfully in their inaugural game. They became the 132nd team to start play in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The kickoff started the festive pre-game action when the temperature soared at 99°. Most partisan Gamecock fans stayed throughout the first half of play with their team up, 10-7. However, after their very popular band, The Marching Southerners, finished their stirring halftime performance, many left for the comfort of cooler places elsewhere.
First half action
Jacksonville forced their first turnover on downs halting the Miners on a fourth and two. They took over at the UTEP 47. PK Alan Karajac delivered a 41-yard field goal to take the lead in the first. The Gamecocks followed up with a score on their ensuing possession early in the second. Bobby Wiggins scored on a four-yard run to cap an 80-yard drive to put the Cocks up, 10-0. Another UTEP drive resulted in a fumble which the Gamecocks didn’t capitalize on. However, the Miners finally scored as the half ended. On a one-yard plunge by Deion Hankins, it put UTEP to within three before the stirring halftime performance by the Marching Southerners.
Adapting to FBS at JSU
JSU Stadium was half full with most fans only on the home side. Interstates to backroads got me there in three and a half hours an hour before kickoff. That was my plan, but to find a place to park took very long. No signs to any general public parking. Every space on campus was already taken. I did a few circular tours before someone ahead of me got the barriers removed from a lot. There, a few of us followed right through to empty spaces near the Montgomery football offices where empty spaces could be seen from the road. Patience had lucked out after asking a security guy where I could go.
If JSU wants to go big-time, they’re going to have to address this to park more beyond the 17,000 in announced attendance today. For now, all seats are considered General Admission at low prices and the entire visitor side which can probably seat 10,000 more only held a few hundred UTEP fans. Good deal for the short-term, but parking will have to be addressed since it’s non-existent near campus currently.
To start the second half, Jacksonville State thwarted Texas El Paso’s first drive with an interception by linebacker Kolbi Fuqua. An evenly matched game. UTEP stopped Jacksonville on a fourth down to take back the ball on the next Gamecock series. Midway through the third, Jacksonville extended its lead when freshman RB Malik Jackson’s seven-yard gave them a 17-7 advantage. Karajac failed to add to the buffer on a 45-yard attempt before the third ended.
Jacksonville State wins turnover battle
Early in the fourth on the Miners’ next possession, Gavin Hardison connected with Kelly Akharaiyi for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The teams exchanged punts three times before putting UTEP on their 12 for their last opportunity to ties or go ahead. On a fourth and one at the JSU 24, Hardison fired a pass to the left flat where Safety Jeremiah Harris lunged in front of the intended receiver for an interception. With no time-outs left for the Miners, the Gamecocks ran out the clock. Head Coach Rich Rodriguez’s team celebrated it first win in the FBS. Their turnover on downs resulted in their first score, a fumble recovery and two interceptions stopped four other Miner drives to key the win. The Miners held advantages in total yards (364-277), passing yards 208-67) and time of possession (34:38-25:22).
Next!
Jacksonville State hosts FCS East Tennessee State next weekend. UTEP also hosts an FCS opponent, Incarnate Word. Since both teams compete now in ConferenceUSA, I will see the Gamecocks at Middle Tennessee on October 4, a Wednesday night game. Later, I will see UTEP also in Murfreesboro on November 18. We’ll see if any progress will ensue until then. This Saturday at 11 am CST, No. 12 Tennessee comes to Nashville to take on the Virginia Cavaliers at Nissan Stadium. Tailgate time and dark sunglasses for me with all that orange in The Music City!
Extra Points: Game 656 set a few new milestones for Collegefootballfan.com at Jacksonville State University Stadium. We attended a game in our 80th FBS stadium, our 172nd among college football venues at all levels overall. The 17-14 score marked the 70th FBS game we attended by a final score of three points or less, and our 143rd final score resulting within seven points or less.
