PAGE 6A October 2023 PAGE 8 January 2024 The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com JSU Wins First Ever Bowl Game The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com Gamecocks Rally for 34-31 overtime win in New Orleans Bowl
By Myra W. Pierce | The Sports Ledger NEW ORLEANS - Playing in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl was a huge achievement for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in their first year in the FBS as a member of Conference USA. However, winning the game was even better and the Gamecocks did just that on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Jax State overcame a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and two pick six interceptions to pull out a 34-31 overtime victory over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Jacksonville finished the historic season with a 9-4 record. A substantial number of fans traveled to the Crescent City to support the Gamecocks. The fans in attendance, and those watching on television, saw Jax State roll up 526 yards of offense. They also witnessed history as the program earned its first ever Bowl Game victory on a 27- yard field goal by Garrison Rippa in overtime. Louisiana won the toss, and deferred, to give the Gamecocks the opportunity to score first. However, JSU could not find the end zone. Instead, the Gamecocks fumbled the football and the Ragin’ Cajuns scooped up the ball and trotted into the end zone to step ahead 7-0. Louisiana’s lead did not last long, as the Gamecocks ran for a one-yard touchdown with 3:06 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7. With 4:22 left in the half, JSU quarterback Zion Webb threw an interception and Louisiana’s Jalen Clark ran it back for a 16-yard touchdown, to give the Ragin’ Cajuns the lead at 14-7. The Gamecocks refused to stay behind. With only 23 seconds left in the half, JSU’s Ron Wiggins carried the football for a seven yard touchdown. Kicker Garrison Rippa made the extra point to tie the game 14-14 at the half. JSU’s Rippa added a 22-yard field goal for the Gamecocks with 7:55 remaining in the third to pull the Gamecocks ahead 17-14. However, the lead did not last long. With 5:47 left in the third quarter, Louisiana found the end zone and pushed ahead of JSU 21-17. Logan Smothers pulled JSU back ahead, 24-21, with a 10-yard touchdown run at the 2:53 mark of the third quarter. With less than a minute off the clock in the fourth quarter, the Ragin’ Cajuns added three points to again tie the game, now at 24-24. The Ragin’ Cajuns did not stop there. A JSU pass interception led to Louisiana’s third defensive touchdown with only 5:32 remaining to move Louisiana ahead 31-24. The thrilling part of the game, came with just under 2:00 minutes to play, when JSU’s Webb completed a fourth down pass for a 16-yard touchdown to Perry Carter. Rippa’s kick was good to tie the game 31-31. The Jax State defense stepped up again in overtime, forcing Louisiana to attempt a field goal. The kick failed. JSU’s Rippa had his chance to kick a game winner in overtime, and he did not miss. His 27-yard kick sealed the Gamecock’s 34-31 victory. It was more than just a win, it was Jax State’s first ever Bowl Game victory. All-State Volleyball The 2023 All-State Volleyball first team, honorable mention, coaches and Players of the Year were recently announced and several student athletes around Northeast Alabama were selected. Some of the 2023 All-State High School Volleyball players include: • Class 6A - Cooper Garrett (Junior) Fort Payne • Class 5A - Laney Kelley (Senior) Arab • Class 5A - Sami Kate Hudson (Senior) Arab • Class 5A - Tazi Harris (Senior) Guntersville • Class 4A - Nevaeh Gaidurgis (So) Cherokee County • Class 4A - Emily Reeves (Senior) DAR • Class 3A - Brooklyn Hall (Senior) Geraldine • Class 3A - Kentlei Rogers (Junior) Geraldine • Class 3A - Kami Sanders (Senior) Plainview • Class 3A - Chloe Hatch (Senior) Plainview • Class 3A - Raegan Harrell (Senior) Westbrook Christian • Class 2A - Katelyn St. Clair (Senior) Sand Rock • Class 2A - Rylin St. Clair (Senior) Sand Rock • Class 2A - Chloe Stephens (Senior) Sand Rock • Class 1A - Avery Steward (Junior) Spring Garden • Class 1A - Chloe Rule (Senior) Spring Garden All-State Honorable Mention • Class 6A - Layla Kirby (Senior) Fort Payne • Class 5A - Jazira Roberts (Senior) Boaz • Class 5A - Millie Lackey (Freshman) Arab • Class 5A - Bennett Elrod (Junior) Arab • Class 5A - Mary George Vandergriff (So) Guntersville • Class 4A - Macy Lea (So) Cherokee County • Class 4A - Chloe Walker (Junior) DAR • Class 3A - Jaycee Berrong (Junior) Geraldine • Class 3A - Hallie Burns (Senior) Geraldine • Class 3A - Raylee Neal (So) Westbrook Christian • Class 3A - Landri Lipscomb (So) Westbrook Christian • Class 1A - Emma Givins (Senior) Gaylesville • Class 1A - Alyssa Calvert (Junior) Gaylesville Player of the Year • Class 7A - Paris McQuirter (Junior) McGill Toolen • Class 6A - Hannah Parant (Senior) Mountain Brook • Class 5A - Addi Vinson (Junior) Montgomery Academy • Class 4A - Mally Barranco (Sr) Montgomery Catholic • Class 3A - Ali Price (Senior) Plainview • Class 2A - Lily Henry (Junior) Pleasant Valley • Class 1A - Ace Austin (Junior) Spring Garden • AISA - Lindsey Brown (Senior) Edgewood Coach of the Year • Class 7A - Kate Wood - McGill Toolen • Class 6A - Mattie Gardner - Mountain Brook • Class 5A - Julie Gordon - Montgomery Academy • Class 4A - Jenn Denham - Montgomery Catholic • Class 3A - Skyla Gray - Plainview • Class 2A - Dana Bryant - Pleasant Valley • Class 1A - Ricky Austin - Spring Garden • AISA - Brad Starks - Edgewood
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Jacksonville State kicker Garrison Rippa (#37) celebrates after making a 27-yard game winning field goal in overtime of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Jax State rallied late to tie the game 31-31 at the end of regulation against Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns missed their field goal attempt in overtime, but Rippa's was prefect to give the Gamecocks a thrilling 34-31 overtime victory. Celebrating a Historic Victory LSU Wins ReliaQuest Bowl
By Myra W. Pierce | The Sports Ledger TAMPA - The LSU Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers traveled to Tampa, FL to compete in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Tigers fell behind early, but LSU fought for the win and rallied late to defeat the Badgers 35-31. LSU’s Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passed for 395 yards, three touchdowns, and had only one interception in the game to earn the MVP award for the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. "God is good. That's how I feel," said Nussmeier. "I'm extremely blessed. I'm extremely thankful. It was a wild ride, but I was ready."
LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier accepts the 2024 Reliaquest Bowl MVP Trophy. Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
LSU's Chris Hilton, Jr. hauls in a touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier in the second half of the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. The play was challenged by Wisconsin, because they thought his foot was out of bounds. That was not the case. The play was vital in helping LSU earn a 35-31 victory over the Badgers. Questionable Touchdown Catch
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