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 20^th annual football championship game, and Jax State is the 13^th different school to have hosted the game.