NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Bowl on Saturday matches a rather familiar repeat participant against team that has never been to any bowl before. Jacksonville State (8-4) is in its maiden season at the Football Bowl Subdivision level and went 8-4 under coach Rich Rodriguez, who formerly coached at Michigan, West Virginia and Arizona.
The Gamecocks averaged 232 yards rushing this season and even rushed for as many as 522 yards in a game.
Louisiana-Lafayatte (6-6) had to win its final regular-season game against in-state rival Louisina-Monroe to reach the six-victory plateau for bowl eligibility.
Now the Ragin Cajuns play for the seventh time in the New Orleans Bowl and in what is also their 11th bowl game overall.
The only other meeting between these teams was during the 2000 season, when Jacksonville State won 28-14.
Kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome.
