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PAGE 6A October 2023 PAGE 6B December 2024
Rich Rodriguez Named CUSA Coach of the Year
Jacksonville State University head football coach Rich Rodriguez has been named Conference USA Coach of the Year. Rodriguez led the Gamecocks to a CUSA Championship in their second season in the league and first year of eligibility. After a 0-3 start to the season, Rodriguez led Jax State on an eight-game winning streak to secure the right to host the 2024 CUSA Championship Game, in which the Gamecocks (9-4, 7-1 CUSA) defeated WKU 52-12 behind a dominant run game. During the streak, Jax State averaged 41.6 points and 311.9 rushing yards per game as the team mounted its way to the No. 2 rushing offense in the country heading into bowl season (267.3). The 2024 campaign is the third-straight nine-win season for the Gamecocks as Rodriguez runs his record in Jacksonville to 27- 10 (.730). The heart of the team’s winning streak included a 31-21 victory at Liberty, snapping the Flames’ 12-game home winning streak, and a thrilling 44-37 overtime win over LA Tech to secure bowl eligibility in early November. The Gamecocks sent the game to overtime with a 49-yard Hail Mary pass from CUSA MVP Tyler Huff to Cam Vaughn with all zeros on the clock. Jax State posted the second-highest rushing total in CUSA Championship Game history (386) and tied the game’s record with five touchdowns on the ground. The Gamecocks finished 6-6 in the red zone with six touchdowns in the title game, making
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
them 10-10 in the red zone with 10 touchdowns over the final three games of the season. Their 52 points in the championship game were the second most in the game’s history. The Gamecocks’ offense ranks in the top 25 in FBS in first downs (300), yards per completion (13.7), red zone offense (.902), scoring offense (36.7), tackles for loss allowed (4.08), total offense (444.4), while the havoc-wreaking defense ranks in the top 25 nationally in fumbles recovered (11), red zone defense (.738), turnover margin (0.69) and turnovers gained (22). The backfield duo of CUSA Player of the Year Tyler Huff and First-Team
All-CUSA running back Tre Stewart both rank in the top 25 in FBS in yards per carry, rushing touchdowns and rushing yards per game. Jax State ranks second in CUSA history in single season rushing touchdowns (48) and fifth in single season rushing yards (3,475). The JSU Gamecocks also led CUSA in passes intercepted (six), punt return defense (4.45), sacks allowed (1.38) and turnovers lost (13). The award was voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches. Jax State will conclude the 2024 season on December 20 at the Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.
IS YOUR ROOF READY FOR SANTA? Santa is on his way so make sure that your roof is ready by calling Donna Richards today! Jax State Head Coach Rich Rodriquez, CUSA MVP Tyler Huff, and Jacksonville State Athletic Director Greg Seitz were on stage after the CUSA Championship to accept the 2024 championship trophy. Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger CUSA Football Champions
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