Up to date Sept. 26, 2026, 9:48 p.m. CT
- Center Tennessee State will face Jacksonville State of their Convention USA opener on September 26.
- MTSU enters the sport with a 2-1 report, whereas Jacksonville State is 2-2.
- The sport might be performed at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama, and might be streamed on ESPN+.
Center Tennessee State soccer failed to begin Convention USA play 1-0 for the primary time since 2021, falling at Jacksonville State 23-13 on Sept. 26.
The Blue Raiders (2-2, 0-1) trailed 10-0, got here again to take a 13-10 lead early within the third quarter, however noticed the hosts rating 13 unanswered factors to shut the sport.
Jacksonville State (3-2, 1-0) outgained MTSU in offensive yardage 517 to 319, together with 190-18 within the first quarter.
Roman Gagliano was 18 of 28 for 216 yards and two touchdowns for MTSU. Antonio Martin Jr. rushed 17 instances for 106 yards.
The Blue Raiders will play their ultimate nonconference sport on Oct. 3, touring to Kansas (11 a.m. CT). They delve again into league play in a midweek sport at dwelling vs. Delaware on Oct. 13.
Jacksonville State 23, MTSU 13: Hosts cushion lead
Garrison Rippa hit a 29-yard subject objective with 2:46 remaining in regulation to provide Jacksonville State a 23-13 lead over MTSU. The hosts have scored 13 unanswered factors. It was a 12-play, 69-yard drive for the Gamecocks.
Finish 3: Jax State 20, MTSU 13
The hosts have outgained the Blue Raiders 424-234. MTSU has a primary down at its personal 21 when play resumes.
Jacksonville State 20, MTSU 13: Gamecocks drive 76 yards
Jacksonville State accomplished a seven-play, 76-yard drive with a 38-yard TD strike from Caden Creel to Deandre Johnson with 1:15 left within the third quarter.
MTSU: 13, Jacksonville State 13: Area objective ties it
Garrison Rippa hit a 31-yard subject objective with 5:43 left within the third quarter to assist the hosts tie the Blue Raiders at 13. The Gamecocks drove 62 yards on 10 performs earlier than the Blue Raiders made a key cease.
MTSU 13, Jax State 10: Allen hauls in massive TD reception
The Blue Raiders scored on their first possession of the second half, driving 75 yards on 9 performs as Roman Gagliano hit Markus Allen on a 32-yard TD strike with 10:11 left within the third to provide MTSU the lead and its second TD in as many drives. The Blue Raiders missed the additional level.
Half: Jax State 10, MTSU 7
Roman Gagliano hit Cam Lacy on a 5-yard TD go inside a minute simply earlier than halftime to chop into the JSU lead. It was a 10-play, 90-yard drive.
Jax State 10, MTSU 0: Creel inflicting issues for Raiders
QB Caden Creel scored on a 1-yard run with 6:50 left within the first half to provide Jacksonville State a 10-0 lead over MTSU. The Gamecocks have dominated time of possession and whole yards (258-45) to this point. Creel has rushed for 86 yards, together with selecting up a fourth down conversion on the drive.
MTSU stops Jax State at objective line
MTSU’s protection got here up with an enormous cease with 13:35 left within the second quarter, stopping Jacksonville State simply shy of the objective line on a 4th-and-goal from the three. The Blue Raiders will begin on their very own 1.
Finish 1: Jax State 3, MTSU 0
The hosts have the ball 1st-and-goal on the MTSU 8 when play resumes. The Blue Raiders have been outgained 191-18 to this point and have solely had two possessions.
Jacksonville State 3, MTSU 0: Blue Raiders do not bend inside 10
Garrison Ripa hit a 27-yard subject objective with 7:14 left within the first quarter to provide the hosts the early lead. A 48-yard run by QB Caden Creel to the MTSU 8 arrange the scoring alternative, however the Gamecocks dedicated an offensive go interference and an unlawful participant downfield, forcing the sphere objective. MTSU went three-and-out on its first possession after Kalen Woods had an interception on JSU’s first possession.
WATCH: MTSU at Jacksonville State soccer dwell on ESPN+
What time does MTSU at Jacksonville State begin?
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
- Time: 6 p.m. CT
- The place: AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville, Alabama
Learn how to watch MTSU at Jacksonville State soccer
- TV channel: ESPN+
- Time: 6 p.m. CT at AmFirst Stadium
MTSU at Jacksonville State might be streamed on ESPN+ in Week 4 of the 2026 school soccer season. Eli Gold and Jeff Burger will name the sport from the sales space and Erica Schoeman might be on the sidelines at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama.
MTSU at Jacksonville State prediction
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 24
- Jacksonville State 27, MTSU 24: MTSU has to show it will probably win an enormous sport on the highway, and Jacksonville State might be a tricky place to do this. Creel might be robust to corral, and he’ll give the Gamecocks simply sufficient offense to slide previous the Blue Raiders.
- Unfold: Jacksonville State by 7
- Over/underneath: 51.5.
MTSU soccer 2026 schedule
*Convention USA sport. All instances are Central.
- Sept. 5 MTSU 38, Murray State 14
- Sept. 12 Marshall 28, MTSU 26
- Sept. 19 MTSU 27, Nevada 20
- *Sept. 26 at Jacksonville State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
- Oct. 3 at Kansas, 11 a.m., ESPNU
- *Oct. 13 Delaware, 6 p.m., CBSSN
- *Oct. 20 at FIU, 6 p.m., CBSSN
- *Oct. 27 Kennesaw State, 6 p.m., CBSSN
- *Nov. 7 Western Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., ESPN platforms
- *Nov. 14 at Liberty, 2:30 p.m., CBSSN
- *Nov. 21 at Sam Houston, 1 p.m., ESPN platforms
- *Nov. 28 New Mexico State, 1 p.m., ESPN platforms
- Dec. 4 Convention USA championship sport
Cecil Joyce covers highschool sports activities and MTSU athletics for The Each day Information Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and observe him on X, the platform previously often called Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
We sometimes suggest fascinating services and products. In case you make a purchase order by clicking one of many hyperlinks, we might earn an affiliate price. USA TODAY Community newsrooms function independently, and this doesn’t affect our protection.
