By Michelle Richardson
DALLAS – With a 19-17 victory over Jax State on Saturday, WKU clinched a rematch with the Gamecocks in just six days in the 2024 CUSA Football Championship. The game will kickoff at 6 p.m. CT on Friday from AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Ala., and will air on CBS Sports Network.
The win snapped Jax State’s eight-game winning streak and marked the first loss in league play for the Gamecocks (8-4, 7-1 CUSA).
Kicker Lucas Carneiro finished 4-4 on field goals with a pair of 50-yard makes, including the game-winning kick with just three seconds remaining, to send the Hilltoppers (8-4, 6-2 CUSA) to their first CUSA Championship Game since 2021. WKU is also tied for the most appearances all-time (four).
WKU quarterback Caden Veltkamp completed 60 percent of his passes (28-47) for 301 yards and a touchdown pass to running back Elijah Young, who logged 169 all-purpose yards (91 rushing, 78 receiving) to aid the Tops offense.
The 2024 CUSA Championship marks the 20th annual football championship game, and Jax State is the 13th different school to have hosted the game.
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