A pair of predominantly 20th century in-state rivals will meet for the first time in 24 years on Tuesday, as Troy and Jacksonville State battle in the Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
Separated by less than 200 miles, the two programs have met 63 times, but haven’t played since 2001, when Troy became an FBS program.
In head coach Gerad Parker’s second season at the helm, the Trojans (8-5) are looking to win their seventh bowl game while earning bragging rights in the “Battle for the Ol’ School Bell.”
“You’ve got two storied universities that are coming together in a great place and the great city of Montgomery,” Parker said. “Two universities that have similar paths of winning championships and growing through smaller divisions all the way to Division I, where we are now. It’s good for the state.”
Troy’s season was highlighted by a five-game winning streak and an appearance in the Sun Belt championship game, a 31-14 loss to James Madison. In four games since returning from injury, quarterback Goose Crowder has thrown for seven touchdowns and added another on the ground as the hard-nosed leader of the team.
“He’s gotten better every week,” Parker said of Crowder. “I’m proud of him. He’s grown. I think he got better in each game he played since he returned.”
Troy will be without leading rusher Tae Meadows (695 rushing yards, six touchdowns) as the junior intends to enter the transfer portal. Jordan Lovett (317 rushing yards) will be relied on in the Trojans’ ground game.
After a successful run at the FCS level, Jacksonville State has continued to excel at the highest level, playing in its third bowl game in as many seasons. The Gamecocks (8-5) fell 19-15 to Kennesaw State in the Conference USA title game, but have an opportunity for a postseason win under first-year head coach Charles Kelly.
“The state of college football right now, you’re managing the roster and doing the things it takes to be able to play for championships and go to a bowl game. It’s challenging,” Kelly said. “But we’re very thankful to be here and very humbled to be playing a great opponent.”
Jacksonville State is paced by CUSA Player of the Year and the nation’s leading rusher in Cam Cook. The junior has run for 1,659 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, spearheading FBS’ fourth-best ground attack. The Gamecocks average 258 rushing yards per game.
“First of all, he’s very competitive,” Kelly said of Cook. “He’s a great young man. He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s just a natural back. He can see, he can make cuts, he can do all the things that great backs do.”
Caden Creel has thrown for 1,341 yards in 13 games across his freshman year, while leading the conference’s quarterbacks with 1,085 yards on the ground.
Jacksonville State is searching for its second bowl victory after beating Louisiana in the 2023 New Orleans Bowl.
