Panthers at Gamecocks

Game Summary

On October 13, 2026, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the Florida International Panthers 27-24 at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama. Garrison Rippa booted a 26-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining after an 82-yard drive, and Robert Czeremcha's 49-yard try at the buzzer missed to end the game.

Caden Creel passed for 214 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 95 yards for Jacksonville State, which improved to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Conference USA. Creel hit Luke Gilbert on a 38-yard touchdown and found Deondre Johnson on a 36-yard score in the first quarter as the Gamecocks built a 17-7 lead.

JJ Kohl passed for 278 yards and two touchdowns for FIU, and Maguire Anderson caught eight passes for 133 yards and both Panther touchdowns. Devonte Lyons scored on an 8-yard run to tie the game at 24-24 in the third quarter after Justus Savage had given Jacksonville State a 24-17 edge on a 4-yard run.

The Panthers tied the score three times but never led. Czeremcha also missed a 38-yard field goal before halftime. Rippa's winner was his second game-deciding kick in the final minute in as many weeks and extended Jacksonville State's winning streak to four games.