SALUTE TO VETERANS BOWL: Coaches thrilled for chance to renew Jax State, Troy
Salute to Veterans coaches Charles Kelly of Jacksonville State and Troy coach Gerrett Parker meet at the Media Kickoff event on Friday. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
It’s been 24 years since Jacksonville State and Troy met on the gridiron, but that stretch is about to end.
The two teams arrived in Montgomery on Friday to prepare for their Tuesday night meeting in the 12th annual IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl.
“We’re thrilled to renew the ‘Battle for the Old School Bell’ rivalry,” bowl executive director Clay Norrell said. “We’re expecting a great matchup at Cramton Bowl on Tuesday night.”
Troy, which has won the last seven meetings (1995-2001) between the two teams, is a 2.5-point favorite to extend the winning streak after both teams appeared in championship games a week ago. Troy (8-5) battled James Madison for the better part of four quarters in the Sun Belt Championship Game before falling 31-14, while Jacksonville State (8-5) led Kennesaw State in the Conference USA Championship Game before losing on a last-second pass 19-15.
Jacksonville State features Conference USA Player of the Year Cam Cook, who leads FBS in rushing (1,659 yards) at 127.6 yards per game. Troy will counter with a standout defense led by linebacker Jordan Stringer (107 tackles, including 11 for loss), linebacker Donnie Smith (12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks) and defensive back Jaquez White (3 interceptions, 11 pass breakups).
The two coaches, who held an introductory press conference in downtown Montgomery on Friday, praised their opponent and their ability to piece together a championship-caliber team in today’s uncertain world of college football.
“Listen, we’re excited to do this,” Troy coach Gerad Parker said. “It’s not an easy time. It’s trying times in all that goes on in the world of college football, balancing our rosters to get to this finish line to play a game and celebrate our seniors. We have 24 young men that will leave our roster after this year. We’re very proud of them. Nineteen of those guys are graduates; the other five will graduate in May and I couldn’t be more proud about what those young men have done and our staff has done to serve them to get a degree but also winning championships in football.
“Our guys are excited to get the chance to be involved in an extra game and play again against another great university and a great head coach and team that’s been fun to watch and prepare for.”
First-year Jacksonville State coach Charles Kelly, a former assistant under Pat Dye at Auburn and Nick Saban at Alabama, was just as grateful for the opportunity to play in a bowl game.
“Watching them play, you can tell they’re very well coached in all three phases and our players are excited to have the opportunity to compete,” Kelly said. “We’re very fortunate this year. Our players, our staff, our entire university has done a great job of giving us the support that we need to be able to play championship football.
“Today’s game of college athletics, managing the roster, doing the things that it takes to do to be able to be competitive year in, year out, and have an opportunity to play for championships, that’s a challenge. And I’m very thankful to our administration, the people that support Jax State, for giving us the resources to be able to do those things.”
Montgomery mayor Steven Reed, on hand for the press conference, reminded the bowl participants of the “deeper purpose” behind the bowl game.
“The Salute to Veterans Bowl brings us together to honor the men and women who serve our nation with courage and conviction,” Reed said. “It reminds us that football is more than competition. It’s community, it’s resilience, it’s shared values and it’s a chance to show our veterans that the city is grateful for their sacrifice and their service.”
Tuesday’s game kicks off at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.salutetoveteransbowl.com.