Kennesaw State Rallies Late to Clinch Conference USA Title Over Jacksonville State

Owls' comeback victory sparks debate over late-game decisions that may have cost Gamecocks the championship.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:57pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a college football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the intensity and drama of the championship matchup.Kennesaw State's dramatic comeback victory over Jacksonville State showcases the strategic brilliance and resilience of the new Conference USA champions.Jacksonville Today

In a thrilling comeback, Kennesaw State clinched the Conference USA title with a nail-biting 19-15 victory over Jacksonville State. The game came down to the final minutes, with Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom engineering a masterful 75-yard drive to set up the game-winning touchdown. The win not only secured the conference title for Kennesaw State, but also avenged their earlier loss to Jacksonville State during the regular season.

Why it matters

This game highlights the remarkable turnaround of Kennesaw State under first-year coach Jerry Mack, transforming a 2-10 team from last season into conference champions. The controversial ending has sparked debate over whether Jacksonville State's late-game decisions ultimately cost them the title, or if Kennesaw State's clutch plays and coaching were the deciding factors.

The details

Kennesaw State built a 10-0 lead early on, but momentum shifted when Jacksonville State's Cam Cook scored on a 1-yard run after a Kennesaw State fumble. The Gamecocks briefly took a 15-12 lead, but Kennesaw State rallied in the final minutes. Facing a third-and-27, Odom connected with Christian Moss for a 26-yard gain to keep the Owls' hopes alive. Coleman Bennett's 3-yard run secured a first down, and Odom's 14-yard scramble on fourth-and-14, coupled with a late-hit penalty, set up the game-winning 11-yard touchdown pass from Odom to Navelle Dean.

  • Kennesaw State built a 10-0 lead early in the game.
  • Jacksonville State took a 15-12 lead in the fourth quarter.
  • Kennesaw State engineered a 75-yard drive in the final minutes to score the game-winning touchdown.

The players

Amari Odom

Kennesaw State's quarterback, who finished the game with an impressive 26-of-32 passing for 246 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass.

Coleman Bennett

Kennesaw State running back, who rushed for 82 yards on 17 carries, including a crucial 3-yard touchdown run.

Cam Cook

Jacksonville State's leading rusher, who scored a 1-yard touchdown to help the Gamecocks briefly take the lead.

Caden Creel

Jacksonville State quarterback, who passed for 96 yards and rushed for 112 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run.

Jerry Mack

Kennesaw State's first-year head coach, who transformed the team from a 2-10 record last season to conference champions.

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What they’re saying

“We must have made some critical mistakes late in the game, but you have to give credit to Kennesaw State for making the plays when it mattered most.”

— Caden Creel, Jacksonville State Quarterback

“This team has come so far in just one season, and I couldn't be prouder of the way they fought to the very end. That's a championship-caliber performance right there.”

— Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State Head Coach

What’s next

The win secures Kennesaw State's spot in the Conference USA championship game, where they will look to cap off their remarkable turnaround season with a title.

The takeaway

This game showcases the power of resilience and strategic coaching, as Kennesaw State's late-game heroics and first-year coach Jerry Mack's turnaround of the program proved to be the difference-makers in a thrilling conference championship battle.