Jacksonville State football’s win streak is up to five games after taking down Liberty on Wednesday night.
The Gamecocks (5-3, 4-0 Conference USA) picked up the 31-21 win over the Flames (5-2, 3-2 CUSA) at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va.
Liberty scored first ,but Tre Stewart responded with a 75-yard score and another touchdown. Liberty tied it before halftime, but the Gamecocks tacked on a field goal and another Stewart touchdown in the second half. Geimere Latimer’s interception sealed the win as Stewart scored his fourth touchdown.
The Gamecocks ran for 363 yards, led by Stewart’s 232 and Tyler Huff’s 130. That was actually below JSU’s average (379 yards per game) during the win streak.
Jacksonville State football run defense finds success
The Gamecocks run defense has struggled at times, and it looked like it was going to struggle mightily against one of the nation’s top rushing offenses after the first drive. Liberty ran five plays covering 62 yards, all on the ground, and had 101 rushing yards in the first quarter.
The Gamecocks got two major fourth-and-short stops, but the option plays still gave the Gamecocks fits at times.
Tre Stewart is Gamecocks’ lead back
Just like how Huff had to battle to earn his starting role, Stewart has emerged as the bell-cow back for Jacksonville State. The transfer from Division II Limestone has racked up more than 100 yards in four straight games with at least a touchdown in each of his last six. Last week, Stewart ran for 210 yards and a touchdown, and he tried to top that total in the first half. He had 190 yards and two scores while averaging 14.6 yards per carry in the first half.
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Gamecocks take control of Conference USA race
In its second year as an FBS and CUSA member, Jacksonville State has become the frontrunner in the league race. The Gamecocks were still tied with Western Kentucky as the conference’s only undefeated teams going into Wednesday’s slate.
The Gamecocks will end the season by hosting Sam Houston and traveling to Western Kentucky, so the race is far from over. The Hilltoppers hold a tiebreaker over Sam Houston, while both still have Liberty left.
Jacksonville State football’s next game
Jacksonville State football returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 9. at Louisiana Tech at 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State in command of Conference USA race with Liberty win
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