WKU Football came up just short against Jacksonville State, falling 37-34 on a game-winning field goal at Amfirst Stadium, losing out on a chance to host the CUSA championship game for the first time since 2016.
Freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. couldn’t put it all together for the second straight week, throwing for 180 yards and an interception, setting up a Gamecock touchdown when the Hilltoppers led by two scores. Tisdale Jr. hasn’t thrown a touchdown since their November 15th game against Middle Tennessee.
Two turnovers from the Hilltoppers made the difference in the game, as a fumble by junior wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson and an interception from Tisdale Jr. set up the Gamecocks in Hilltopper territory.
The Hilltopper defense struggled mightily against the Gamecock offense, giving up 37 points and 515 total yards. The defense played well in the second half, but gave up a 3rd-and-15 to the Gamecocks in the final three minutes, setting up a game-winning field goal.
The defense couldn’t stop the Gamecock rushing attack, allowing 293 yards on the ground, including 143 to quarterback Caden Creel. The performance harkened back to last year’s CUSA championship, where the Hilltoppers gave up 386 yards on the ground.
The rushing attack once again came alive for the Hilltoppers, totaling 204 yards on the ground. Senior running back La’vell Wright dominated, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
The Hilltoppers got off to a strong start, holding a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter, before the Gamecocks came roaring back to outscore the Hilltoppers 30-13 the rest of the way.
A Tisdale Jr. interception at their own 20-yard line while leading 21-10 was the turning point. The Gamecocks would score a touchdown off the turnover.
A win against the Gamecocks would have ensured the Hilltoppers’ best individual regular season and their third CUSA championship appearance in the Helton era. Instead, the Hilltoppers conclude the regular season 8-4 for the second straight year.
The Hilltoppers await a decision on their bowl game, their seventh straight year as bowl-eligible.
