#2 Amari Odom takes a snap against Jacksonville State on Nov. 15 at AmFirst Stadium. Photo by Jackson Louneounbonh
Standing in the way of Kennesaw State football’s first Conference USA title is the one team in the league that bested them in 2025, Jacksonville State.
KSU’s turnaround should not be undersold.
In just Year 2 of play at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, the Owls flipped 2024’s controversy-filled, often frustratingly bad 2-10 campaign on its head.
Under first-year head coach Jerry Mack, KSU football has not only progressed, but jumped nearly the front of the line in CUSA, posting a 9-3 record, 7-1 in conference play en route to a second-place finish and a date with rival Jax State in Friday’s championship game.
“It’s been nothing short of amazing,” Owls quarterbackAmari Odom said. “It’s been a fun year and I’ve enjoyed my time here in Kennesaw and we’ve got one more goal to accomplish and we’re ready for that on Friday.”
The 2025 regular season’s edition of “Uncompromised Hate” saw KSU fall for the first time since Week 2’s loss to Indiana, in frustrating fashion.
Despite posting 579 yards of total offense – enough to outgain Jax State by 128 – four interceptions, three of which came in the red zone, a miraculous Gamecocks touchdown as time expired in the first half and a slew of untimely penalties proved too much to overcome in a 35-26 loss.
Odom struggled particularly, moving the ball well between the 20s, but tossing three interceptions and no touchdowns.
Now, with a second opportunity, the Owls are set to head to Jacksonville, Alabama, with something to prove.
“Obviously, I have that bitter taste in my mouth, especially with the game I had [last time],” Odom said. “This team just wants to get revenge and [there are] no better stakes to have than the conference championship. It’s a chance for us to be legendary and make some history for this program.”
KSU’s struggle as of late has been defending the run. Over the last three games, the Owls have allowed an average of 244.7 yards per game on the ground – if that number reflected the entire season, the Owls would rank dead last in FBS.
The stat is particularly concerning considering Jax State’s multi-dimensional ground attack.
The Gamecocks’ backfield features Cam Cook, who has ranked among the nation’s top rushers in multiple categories throughout the year and enters the game with 1,588 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Cook is aided by freshman quarterback Caden Creel, who took over for Gavin Wimsatt as the Jax State starter midseason. Creel’s passing numbers are formidable, with the signal-caller completing 61.2% of his passes for 1,245 yards and eight touchdowns.
Where the freshman makes his presence felt the most, however, is with his legs, totaling at least 100 rushing yards in each of his last four starts as he closes in on a 1,000-yard season.
Mack said to adjust ahead of Friday’s game, it will be a matter of returning to fundamentals.
“I think anytime you’re struggling in any aspect of football, it’s always back to the fundamentals,” Mack said. “It’s always about tackling, it’s always about pad level, it’s always about stepping through contact, getting our feet to the ball, not reaching, not grabbing, just trying to make tackles.”
After defeating KSU, Jax State dropped to FIU 27-21 on the road before knocking off Western Kentucky 37-34 to clinch a first-place CUSA finish and the right to host the title game.
The rivalry’s all-time record now sits at an even 3-3 with the Gamecocks having won each of the last three matchups.
The game is set for a 7 p.m. kick on CBS Sports Network at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.
“This is what it’s all about,” Mack said. “Coming to college football, having the opportunity to play for a championship to try and make all your hopes and dreams come true.”
