DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Jacksonville State defeated UTEP 30–27 in a nail-biter. Jacksonville State covered by 1.5; Game went Over by 10.5. The market closed at Jacksonville State -1.5 and the Blue Chip model made it Jacksonville State -2.2. The two were within a point of each other, so there was no meaningful edge in this line.
Caden Creel and Cam Cook combined for 259 rushing yards, with Creel adding 134 yards on 13 carries and Cook 127 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. This ground game was crucial in controlling the clock and setting up the game-winning field goal.
Creel's 31-yard scramble on a 46-yard drive set up Garrison Rippa's 45-yard game-winning field goal with 53 seconds left, showing the team's ability to execute under pressure.
Caleb Nix returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, highlighting the defense's ability to create game-changing plays.
Creel completed 15 of 31 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, including a 77-yard strike to Deondre Johnson on the opening drive, showing the offense's big-play potential.
The win improved Jacksonville State to 5-0 in Conference USA play, demonstrating their strong position in the conference standings and momentum heading into future games.
At kickoff, conditions at Sun Bowl were Clear, 69°F with winds of 9 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Clear
69°F
| Measure | Jacksonville StateAway | UTEPHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 1,213 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | 288 miles | 2,565 miles |
| Season total | 4,700 miles | 6,477 miles |
| Body clock | 14:00 | 13:00 |
| Rest | 10 days | 10 days |
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