Overnight Football Desk

Jacksonville State beat Kennesaw State 27-26 on Wednesday night at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia, in a rematch of the 2025 Conference USA championship game. Garrison Rippa made a 33-yard go-ahead field goal with 51 seconds left, and Rob Billings IV intercepted Rickie Collins on the next play to seal it. Kennesaw had taken a 26-24 lead on Daniel Kinney's 28-yard field goal with 2:17 remaining after Lucas Farrington's fumble gave the Owls the ball at their 40-yard line.

Caden Creel directed the winning 11-play drive and finished 26-of-44 for 311 yards with one touchdown pass, one interception, and a rushing score for Jacksonville State (4-2, 2-0 CUSA). Deondre Johnson caught four passes for 112 yards. Rickie Collins passed for 281 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Kennesaw State (1-4, 0-1). Collins added 61 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Gamecocks have won three straight games.

Florida International defeated New Mexico State 22-3 on Wednesday night at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. Robert Czeremcha made a career-high five field goals, tying the program single-game record. His makes came from 40, 52, 33, 21, and 48 yards. Czeremcha's 52-yarder on the opening drive of the second half pushed FIU ahead 13-3. His final kick from 48 yards followed Demetrius Hill's interception, FIU's third takeaway of the game.

JJ Kohl completed 12 of 21 passes for 115 yards with an interception for Florida International (3-2, 1-0 CUSA). Devonte Lyons rushed for 78 yards on 14 carries, and Anthony Carrie scored on the ground. Adam Damante and Trey Hedden each threw an interception for New Mexico State (2-4, 1-1). James Jones ran for 89 yards. The Panthers have won five straight home games dating to last season.

The NFL opens Week 5 on Thursday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Prime Video. Tampa Bay is 0-4 and Dallas is 2-2 as both teams look to change direction after the first month of the season.

Conference USA schedules a Thursday doubleheader. Sam Houston visits Liberty at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia, with kickoff at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU. The Bearkats are 1-3 and the Flames are 4-1 and 1-0 in league play. Missouri State plays at Western Kentucky at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at 7 p.m. Eastern on CBS Sports Network. The Bears are 1-3 and the Hilltoppers are 1-4 and 0-1 in the conference.

The American Athletic Conference and Sun Belt also play Thursday night. South Florida visits UTSA at the Alamodome in San Antonio at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The Bulls are 4-1 and 1-1 in the conference and the Roadrunners are 4-1 and 1-0. South Alabama plays at Arkansas State at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. The Jaguars are 3-2 and 1-0 in the Sun Belt and the Red Wolves are 2-3 and 0-1.

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