Jacksonville State remains the only undefeated team in Conference USA with a 3-0 record as they prepare to face New Mexico State on the road this Wednesday night. The Gamecocks secured a narrow 27-24 victory over FIU in their last outing, thanks to a late field goal by Garrison Rippa, maintaining their unbeaten run in conference play.
In that game, quarterback Caden Creel was instrumental, throwing for 214 yards and adding 95 rushing yards. Wide receiver Deondre Johnson contributed four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, helping Jacksonville State edge out FIU in a close contest. Their ability to win tight games has defined their season so far, with all conference victories coming by fewer than 10 points.
Jacksonville State aims to reach the Conference USA title game for the third consecutive year after falling short in 2025 against Kennesaw State at AmFirst Stadium. The Gamecocks will be tested away from home this week against New Mexico State in Las Cruces, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time on October 28. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and available to stream on ESPN+.
Liberty currently holds a 2-0 record in the conference, placing Jacksonville State at the top as the only team undefeated in Conference USA. Their next test against New Mexico State offers a chance to extend that lead and strengthen their position in the standings.
Maxwell Donaldson, covering Jacksonville State athletics for The Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network, projects a comfortable win for the Gamecocks. His prediction puts Jacksonville State ahead 42-17, pointing to the team’s recent form and the relative standing of New Mexico State in the conference. Donaldson expects that Caden Creel will continue to deliver strong performances as Jacksonville State seeks to close out the midweek schedule with a decisive victory.
Jacksonville State’s focus now turns to maintaining their momentum as they travel to face New Mexico State. The Gamecocks will look to combine their offensive firepower with the resilience they’ve shown in close encounters this season. The matchup offers fans a chance to see whether Jacksonville State can break their recent trend of narrow conference wins by securing a more comfortable margin.
The stakes remain high as the season progresses, with Jacksonville State aiming to reaffirm their status at the summit of Conference USA and position themselves for another title run. The game in Las Cruces will provide an early test of their ability to sustain their unbeaten streak on the road.
According to Yahoo Sports.