Rich Rodriguez Leads Jacksonville State to Thrilling Comeback Win

Rich Rodriguez led Jacksonville State to yet another win, with Thursday night’s victory coming in one of the most entertaining games of the season.

The season started with the former WVU coach guiding Jacksonville State to the program’s first ever FBS win, and the Gamecocks haven’t slowed down at all now a month later. Jacksonville Sate’s latest victory came with tons of drama and in comeback fashion.

Rodriguez’s team beat Sam Houston State 35-28 in overtime in a game that saw Jacksonville Sate stormed back from trail 21-7 at halftime and then scoring in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to tie the game.

Jacksonville State pulls off a last minute game-tying drive to force overtime against Sam Houston! pic.twitter.com/lYJN66bGUU

— LIGHT ON COLLEGE SPORTS (@LightOnSports) September 29, 2023

With the win, Jacksonville State is now 4-1 on the year. Their only loss came at the hands of Coastal Carolina. Up next on the schedule for Rodriguez is a tough stretch against Middle Tennessee State, Liberty, Western Kentucky, FIU and South Carolina over the next month plus.

Sean Brown brings it in and the Gamecocks lead it OT‼️@_seanbrown_

📺| ESPNU#HardEdge | #EarnSuccess pic.twitter.com/h647GEwJIg

— Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) September 29, 2023

The video below shows Rodriguez enjoying every bit of the moment and celebrating with his team. The win marks the 176th of Rodriguez’s career. He accomplished win number 175 last week.

‼️𝑱𝑨𝑿 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬‼️#HardEdge | #EarnSuccess pic.twitter.com/KCvsuAphRf

— Jax State Football (@JaxStateFB) September 29, 2023

When Rodriguez was hired to guide Jacksonville State into this new FBS era in 2021, it was his first time being a head coach since his departure from Arizona in 2017. After the Wildcats, Rodriguez spent a season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss and then held the same role at Louisiana-Monroe the following season.

Rodriguez, a West Virginia native, currently holds a 173-121-2 overall coaching record. He obviously experience most of his success while leading the Mountaineers from 2001-2007. At WVU, Rodriguez won four Big East titles, was named conference Coach of the Year twice. He added a third Coach of the Year honor in the Pac-12 in 2014 with Arizona.

Last November, WVSN’s Mike Asti asked WVU legend Rasheed Marshall if he would ever want Rich Rodriguez to return as head coach of the Mountaineers during an episode of their past “All Three Phases” podcast.

All Three Phases: Does Rasheed Marshall Want Rich Rodriguez to Return to WVU?