JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — In an impressive performance on Wednesday night, Tyler Huff led Jacksonville State to a decisive 42-20 victory over Middle Tennessee. Huff showcased his dual-threat capabilities by passing for 137 yards, hitting one touchdown, and also impressively rushing for 151 yards on 18 attempts, adding two more touchdowns to his tally. This win marks Jacksonville State’s (4-3, 3-0 Conference USA) fourth consecutive victory, a feat they haven’t achieved since their impressive seven-game streak back in 2020 when they played in the FCS.

The Gamecocks started the game trailing 10-7 but shifted momentum just before halftime. They orchestrated a significant 75-yard drive that took 12 plays, culminating in Andrew Paul’s rushing touchdown, which allowed them to regain the lead. The dominating third quarter saw Jacksonville State score three more touchdowns, putting significant distance between them and their competitors.

It only took four plays for the Gamecocks to extend their lead at the start of the second half, as Huff found Michael Pettway with a 7-yard pass for a touchdown. Shortly after, both Huff and Tre Stewart contributed with short touchdown runs, pushing the score to 35-13.

Paul also had a standout game for Jacksonville State, rushing for two touchdowns and amassing an impressive 210 yards on 21 carries, bolstering the team’s rushing attack that totaled 438 yards for the night.

On the other side, Middle Tennessee (2-6, 1-3) was spearheaded by Nicholas Vattiato, who threw for 297 yards and two touchdown passes. His receiving corps featured Omari Kelly and Holden Willis, both of whom surpassed 100 yards receiving in the contest.

Historically, Jacksonville State has had recent success against Middle Tennessee, as they have claimed victory in the last three meetings. Their past encounters include a narrow 10-7 win at Jacksonville in 1998 and a thrilling come-from-behind triumph last year in Murfreesboro. The series extends back to 1927, with Middle Tennessee previously holding a dominant record of 13-0-2 in the first 15 matchups.