Jacksonville State won the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in stunning fashion on Saturday, defeating Louisiana 34-31 in overtime after a late touchdown.
The Gamecocks and Ragin’ Cajuns traded touchdowns early, but it felt more like Jacksonville State versus the Louisiana cornerback Jalen Clark. Clark returned a fumble for a touchdown on the game’s opening drive. After a Gamecocks touchdown tied the game, he intercepted a pass from quarterback Zion Webb and ran it back for his second score of the first half.
Despite the early offensive mistakes, Jacksonville State continued to bounce back. They scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive after Clark’s pick-six, and 10 third-quarter points nudged the Gamecocks ahead again.
The game stood tied at 24 in the final six minutes before Louisiana’s defense came through again. Cajuns defensive back Tyree Skipper jumped in front of a Gamecocks pass and raced 33 yards to the end zone. With 5:32 left in the game, it looked like Louisiana might have found the game-winning score.
After trading punts, the Jacksonville State offense found life. The Gamecocks marched 70 yards on just eight plays, capped off by an 18-yard pass from Webb to wide receiver Perry Carter for the game-tying touchdown inside the last two minutes.
After the Cajuns missed a field goal on their first overtime possession, Jacksonville State kicker Garrison Rippa knocked a 27-yard field goal through the uprights for the walk-off win.
Here are the best images from the Gamecocks’
season-ending win.