Reigning Conference USA champion Kennesaw State, currently sitting at a brutal 1-3 with a three-loss skid, is hosting Jacksonville State tonight for a rematch of last year’s C-USA Championship game. Can you believe it? The Owls, who snatched that title in December by shutting down the Gamecocks’ ground game, are heading into their first conference game of the season totally lacking confidence. This isn’t just another Wednesday game, this is a statement for both squads.
The Champs’ Stunning Skid and Ground Game Woes
It’s wild to think the reigning champs are sitting at 1-3, but here we are. Kennesaw State’s coming into this one having dropped three straight, and their last outing was a tight 17-14 defeat at Arkansas State almost two weeks ago. The one glimmer of hope? Their run defense. They held the Red Wolves to just 119 rushing yards, a stingy 3.8 yards per attempt, and only lost that game thanks to a lone fourth-quarter field goal. But offensively, it’s a different story. Owls quarterback Rickie Collins, a summer transfer from Syracuse, is leading their rush unit with 185 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Here’s the kicker, though: he only has two passing touchdowns through four games. That screams “over-reliance on the ground game” to me, and on their home soil, that could be exposed big time.
Gamecocks Ready For Payback With Dynamic Creel and Defensive Power
Jacksonville State, on the other hand, is rolling in at 3-2 and looking like a much mightier threat. They’ve got the momentum and they’re bringing some serious firepower, especially on the ground. Quarterback Caden Creel is an absolute dynamic force, boasting three rushing scores all by himself, which is as many as the rest of his team combined. Seriously, that’s wild. He’s also got 190 more rushing yards than Collins, putting him at a staggering 375 yards on the season. Add in their defensive studs, safety Caleb Nix and linebacker Walker O’Steen, both of whom have racked up 30 total tackles this season, and the Gamecocks have a rock-solid foundation. They’re definitely looking for win No. 4 and some sweet revenge from that conference title loss last year.
This game on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7 PM EDT on CBS Sports Network, isn’t just a regular season matchup. For Kennesaw State, it’s a chance to snap that three-loss skid, regain some confidence, and prove why they’re the reigning champs, even with a brutal 1-3 start. For Jacksonville State, it’s about getting that crucial fourth win, continuing their strong start, and settling a score with the team that took their title. You know both sides are bringing everything they’ve got to Fifth Third Stadium tonight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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