The Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Jacksonville State Gamecocks will clash in an intriguing matchup on September 21, 2024, at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, AL. Both teams are looking to reverse early-season struggles and build momentum. Southern Miss, led by head coach Will Hall, opened their season with a disappointing loss to Kentucky but bounced back with a 35-10 win over Southeastern Louisiana. However, their most recent game against South Florida resulted in a 49-24 loss, exposing vulnerabilities in both their offense and defense. Quarterback Tate Rodemaker has been inconsistent, and while wide receiver Tiaquelin Mims has emerged as a key target, the team needs to improve its third-down efficiency and reduce turnovers. On the other hand, Jacksonville State, under head coach Rich Rodriguez, is off to a rough start at 0-3.

Their opening games against Coastal Carolina and Louisville ended in heavy defeats, and their most recent outing against Eastern Michigan was a heartbreaker, losing 37-34 in double overtime. Quarterback Tyler Huff showed resilience with 311 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Gamecocks struggled on third downs, converting just 25% of their attempts. Defensive issues, including allowing an average of 47 points per game, have plagued Jacksonville State, and they will need a better performance to secure their first win. Both teams are desperate for a win to regain confidence, making this game crucial for their seasons. For Southern Miss, tightening up the defense and improving offensive consistency will be vital. Jacksonville State, meanwhile, must shore up their defense and capitalize on scoring opportunities to avoid a fourth consecutive loss.