Jacksonville State Gamecocks football


The Jacksonville State Gamecocks Football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Jacksonville State University located in the U.S. state of Alabama. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. Jacksonville State's first football team was fielded in 1904. The team plays its home games at the 24,000 seat Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Gamecocks are coached by John Grass.

History

Jacksonville State University's first football team, the Eagle Owls, was formed in the late 19th century. During the first half century of play, Troy University and Samford University became their rivals. Before the start of the 1947 season, not only did the team change their colors from blue and gold to red and white but the mascot changed to the Fighting Gamecocks.

Classifications

National championships

Jacksonville State has made four appearances in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. The Gamecocks were defeated in their first three championship game appearances, losing 33–0 to Lehigh in 1977, 3–0 to Mississippi College in 1989, and 23–6 to Pittsburg State in 1991. The next year, the Gamecocks defeated Pittsburg State 17–13 in 1992, reversing the results in a rematch of their 1991 championship game.

Conference championships

Jacksonville State has won 22 conference championships, 17 outright and four shared.
† Co-championship

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs results

The Gamecocks have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs nine times with an overall record of 6–9.

Division II Playoffs results

The Gamecocks have appeared in the Division II playoffs ten times with an overall record of 15–9. They were National Champions in 1992.

Rivalries

Samford

This unnamed rivalry started in 1904 back when Jacksonville wore blue and gold as the Eagle Owls and Samford University was still named Howard College. Jacksonville State leads the series 23–21–2.

Troy

Jacksonville State used to play Troy in the annual Battle for the Ol' School Bell. The schools first played in 1924 and was one of the fiercest rivalries for both schools. The game hasn't been played since 2001 after Troy joined the FBS. Jacksonville State leads the series 32–29–2.

Notable former players

Notable alumni include:
Announced schedules as of April 11, 2020.