By Sanderson “Snuffy” Smith

NEW ORLEANS – Jacksonville State will make its FBS Bowl debut in the Big Easy, taking on Louisiana in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, December 16 at the Caesars Superdome.

The game will kick off at 1:15 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Tickets are available now and should be purchased through the Jax State Ticket Office, which is the only way to secure a sideline seat in the lower bowl and sit in the Gamecocks sections of the Caesars Superdome.

The Gamecocks (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA) learned their destination and opponent on Sunday afternoon and become the first team since 1997 to play in a bowl game in its first season in FBS. They also became just the eighth team since 1970 to win at least eight games in their first season playing an FBS schedule.

They will face the Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6, 3-5 Sun Belt Conference), who are making their seventh appearance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. They have a record five wins in the New Orleans Bowl.

It will be just the second meeting between Jax State and Louisiana on the gridiron, with the Gamecocks winning the only previous meeting. The Gamecocks claimed a 28-14 win over the Ragin’ Cajuns in Jacksonville on November 11, 2000.

COURTESY JACKSONVILLE STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS