{"id":173634,"date":"2025-08-25T06:17:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T06:17:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/173634\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T06:17:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T06:17:26","slug":"ucf-vs-jacksonville-state-football-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/173634\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF vs. Jacksonville State Football Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCF opens the 2025 season on Thursday night against Jacksonville State<\/a><\/strong>, welcoming the Gamecocks to the Bounce House in Scott Frost\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> highly anticipated return debut.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Jax State, a program entering their third year in FBS and a member of Conference USA, I caught up with Drew Bonds<\/strong> and Brooks Davis<\/strong>, the duo behind the \u201cState of the Gamecocks\u201d podcast. They joined me for a 50-minute conversation to break down the matchup, discuss JSU\u2019s transition to FBS, and shared what fans can expect from this new-look Jacksonville State team.<\/p>\n

You can watch\/listen to the full interview here, and the full story\/recap is below:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Connections to Jax State<\/p>\n

Drew and Brooks are Jacksonville, Alabama, natives who grew up immersed in JSU culture due to family. Brooks is a proud alum, while Drew started at Jax State before flight school. Their podcast began when Drew noticed there wasn\u2019t a dedicated JSU football podcast and decided to launch one with his lifelong friend. The response has far exceeded their expectations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought 15 listeners would be cool. We have way more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

A college town on the rise<\/p>\n

Jacksonville State University sits between Birmingham and Atlanta and is deeply woven into the small town\u2019s fabric. With over 11,000 students in a town of 9,000, the college dominates the landscape. The jump to FBS has driven growth across the board: more dorms, new restaurants, and the largest incoming class in school history.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re on national TV more, and that exposure is making more people want to come to Jax State,\u201d Brooks said.<\/p>\n

And for visiting fans looking for a bite, there\u2019s one spot that stands above the rest: Cooter Brown\u2019s Rib Shack.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a wooden shack with maybe 15 tables, but it\u2019s really, really good,\u201d Drew said.<\/p>\n

Favorite Moments as JSU Fans<\/p>\n

Both hosts shared favorite JSU memories. Drew picked the stunning 2010 double-overtime win at Ole Miss. Brooks pointed to the near-upset of Auburn in 2015 and the team\u2019s FCS National Championship run that season (Jax State lost to a North Dakota State team led by quarterback Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

They also recounted the 2021 Hail Mary win over Florida State. Brooks, then a student intern in JSU\u2019s communications office, raced home from a volleyball game to watch, and exploded with excitement upon the final play: \u201cAs soon as Damond Philyaw-Johnson<\/a><\/strong> came down with it, I took off running around the house.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Shared history<\/p>\n

UCF and JSU were conference mates in the Atlantic Sun from 1995\u20132003 in Olympic sports.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Bills OT Tylan Grable<\/a><\/strong> began his career at Jax State, playing from 2018-21 before transferring to UCF in 2022-23. He was honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2023. He was a sixth-round selection of the Bills in the 2024 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Top rivalries<\/p>\n

According to Drew and Brooks, JSU\u2019s top rival today is Kennesaw State, also in C-USA. Former rivals included North Alabama, Chattanooga and Troy.<\/p>\n

Now that Jax State is FBS, fans would love to rekindle that Troy rivalry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s our oldest rival, going back to the Division II days, when both of us were Division II powerhouses,\u201d Drew said. \u201cThat was one of the first questions that people brought up when we made that jump to FBS. Are we going to bring back the Troy game?<\/p>\n

\u201c(Jax State AD) Greg Seitz<\/strong> actually came out not too long ago and said that they\u2019re still in talks. They\u2019re really trying to bring that game back. At least start off with a home-and-home and then go from there, maybe making it more of an annual rivalry again. That was our big one\u2026 We haven\u2019t played since the early 2000s. I think it was our first year in the OVC. We\u2019re really pushing for that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

FBS leap and Rich Rod\u2019s impact<\/p>\n

In late 2021, JSU announced its impending move from FCS to FBS, joining Conference USA. With that transition came the high-profile hire of Rich Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong>, the former West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona coach. The move paid off quickly. After one year in FCS (2022), Rodriguez outperformed expectations in their first two seasons of FBS.<\/p>\n

2023:<\/strong> 9-4 record, New Orleans Bowl win
2024:<\/strong> 9-5 record, C-USA Champions, hosted and won the title game<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought we were going 3-9 that first year,\u201d Brooks admitted. \u201cTo win a bowl game in year one, then a championship at home in year two? It absolutely exceeded expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

A New Era begins: Charles Kelly takes over<\/p>\n

Following Rodriguez\u2019s offseason departure to West Virginia, JSU turned to Charles Kelly<\/a><\/strong>, a longtime defensive coordinator with ties to Alabama, Florida State and Colorado. An Alabama native, he actually began his coaching career at JSU in the 1990s.<\/p>\n

Though Drew and Brooks initially hoped for a Bill Clark reunion (the former UAB\/Jax State coach), they\u2019ve quickly come around on Kelly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had less than 50 scholarship players and one QB when he arrived,\u201d Drew said. \u201cThe job he\u2019s done building the roster has been incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooks added, \u201cHe\u2019s an A+ guy. Took the time to speak with us in a casual setting and even asked our thoughts on the team. That meant a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coaching staff and scheme shift<\/p>\n

Kelly hired Clint Trickett<\/a><\/strong> as his offensive coordinator. Trickett, formerly at FAU, Marshall and Georgia Southern, is expected to bring a more balanced and vertical passing attack compared to Rich Rod\u2019s run-heavy scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the spring game, it looked like more deep shots, more halfback screens,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cStill mobile QBs, but not as many designed runs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Transfer Portal overhaul<\/p>\n

Jacksonville State ranks 135th out of 136 teams in returning production. Only two offensive starters and a kicker return from 2024. The entire defense is new.<\/p>\n

But the portal brought in some promising talent ready for a new opportunity:<\/p>\n

QB Gavin Wimsatt<\/a><\/strong> (Kentucky\/Rutgers) is the expected starter, and was officially confirmed by Coach Kelly on Sunday. Last season at Kentucky, Wimsatt played in eight games as a backup and occasional wildcat QB, completing 16 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns. He was UK\u2019s third-leading rusher.<\/p>\n

Wimsatt was at Rutgers from 2021-23, starting 19 games in that span. He was the Scarlet Knights\u2019 primary starter in 2023, passing for 1,735 yards (138-of-289) and nine touchdowns versus eight interceptions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know his numbers at Kentucky and before that at Rutgers were not really good,\u201d Drew said. \u201cIn fact, they were pretty bad, to be honest. The vibe and who we\u2019ve talked to, the (coaches) love him. He has super high leadership, very high character, which plays a big role in that position, but they really like what he\u2019s capable of and what he\u2019s shown so far.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t rule out the possibility other QBs, including Cade Cunningham<\/a><\/strong> or Caden Creel<\/a><\/strong>, could see action, especially if the game gets out of hand. Jax State plays perhaps their biggest game of the year in Week Two.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have Liberty at home, and that\u2019s probably the biggest game on our schedule as far as conference play goes, and it just happens to be week two at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019re very excited about a portal addition at running back, Cam Cook<\/a><\/strong>, who was TCU\u2019s leading rusher last season with 460 yards on 119 carries with nine touchdowns. He was projected as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

They also expect Andrew Paul<\/a><\/strong> (former Georgia transfer) and Justus Savage<\/a><\/strong> to see action at RB.<\/p>\n

Deondre Johnson<\/a><\/strong> (Rutgers transfer) is an intriguing weapon at wide receiver. He\u2019s 6-foot-8 (!), fast and physical.<\/p>\n

Their WR corps also features returning contributors Michael Pettway<\/a><\/strong> (second leading WR in 2024) and Brock Rechsteiner<\/a><\/strong> (fourth leading WR in 2024), who is the son of WWE wrestler Scott Steiner<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Deondre Johnson) got the ball thrown to him a few times in the spring game and had one big play,\u201d Drew said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t play at Rutgers. There\u2019s a reason why he didn\u2019t play, I\u2019m sure. But when you\u2019re 6-8, you\u2019ve got to see the field at some point because he\u2019s going to demand some attention from whatever defense he\u2019s playing because he\u2019s just so big.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really fast. I mean, he takes big lumberjack strides. He gains five yards every stride, basically. I don\u2019t know, maybe his hands aren\u2019t where they\u2019re supposed to be yet. At least maybe they weren\u2019t last year. There\u2019s a reason he didn\u2019t play at Rutgers, but we\u2019re really happy to have him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect him to play and have a big season, and more so maybe open up opportunities for Michael Pettway or Rechsteiner just because he will demand a little bit of extra attention by the defense.\u201d<\/p>\n

The duo were quite bullish on the strength of JSU\u2019s front seven, which is mostly made up of transfers. That group includes DL Khurtiss Perry<\/a><\/strong> (Alabama\/Virginia Tech), DE Emmanuel Oyebadejo<\/a><\/strong>, LB Jacob Cruz<\/a><\/strong> (Georgia Tech) and LB Isaac Walker<\/a><\/strong> (Georgia Southern).<\/p>\n

Perry is a former four-star recruit that considered UCF coming out of high school.<\/p>\n

The makeup of the secondary is more of a mystery. When Coach Kelly arrived, only one scholarship corner was left on the roster so that was a big transfer portal focus. They do expect DB Tre\u2019Quon Fegans<\/a><\/strong> to play a role. He began his career at Alabama, then USC and spent last season at UCF, making two tackles. They also believe Tyrin Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (Memphis transfer) and Rod Elston <\/a><\/strong>(Auburn transfer) will factor in as well.<\/p>\n

Gamecocks in Orlando<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only a 8-hour drive from Jacksonville to Orlando, but the Thursday game will likely keep a lot of fans at home watching on ESPN+.<\/p>\n

They did hear JSU\u2019s band \u2013 The Marching Southerners \u2013 will be in the Bounce House.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re one of the best bands in the country,\u201d Brooks said. \u201cBig, loud, and really fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n

What JSU fans expect vs. UCF<\/p>\n

Opinions are split. Some fans smell an upset, while others are cautious.<\/p>\n

Drew: \u201cThere\u2019s a big part of the fan base that thinks we can win. At the very least, I expect us to cover. Keep it close into the fourth quarter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brooks: \u201cI think UCF has the edge \u2014 more talent overall. But we\u2019ll compete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Final Score Predictions<\/p>\n

Drew Bonds:<\/strong> Jacksonville State 28, UCF 24.
Brooks Davis:<\/strong> UCF 28, Jacksonville State 21.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly what we\u2019re going to get,\u201d Drew said. \u201cBut we know Coach Kelly has built something strong, and if it all clicks, we can surprise people.\u201d<\/p>\n

JSU fans can follow Drew and Brooks throughout the season via the State of the Gamecocks podcast<\/strong><\/a>, available on all major audio platforms and on X at @SOTGamecocks<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

SIGN UP:<\/strong> <\/strong>Join the UCFSports.com Community for $1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Discuss this article with diehard UCF fans in The Dungeon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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