Both UCF and Jacksonville State went through major transformations in the offseason that started with the hiring of new coaches and continued with the departure of significant parts of both rosters and the welcoming of a significant number of transfers
Jacksonville State vs. UCF, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT.
BetMGM College Football Odds: UCF by 18 1/2.
How to watch: ESPN+
Key stats
Jacksonville State (2024):
Overall offense: 441.6 yards per game (19th in FBS)
Passing: 190.4 yards per game (106th)
Rushing: 251.2 yards per game (3rd)
Scoring: 36.0 points per game (11th)
Overall defense: 393.0 yards allowed per game (93rd in FBS)
Passing: 218.2 yards allowed per game (66th)
Rushing: 174.8 yards allowed per game (99th)
Scoring: 26.1 points allowed per game (78th)
UCF (2024):
Overall offense: 447.8 yards per game (14th in FBS)
Passing: 199.7 yards per game (97th)
Rushing: 248.1 yards per game (5th)
Scoring: 30.4 points per game (49th)
Overall defense: 339.0 yards allowed per game (37th in FBS)
Passing: 218.7 yards allowed per game (67th)
Rushing: 120.3 yards allowed per game (29th)
Scoring: 26.9 points allowed per game (82nd)
Team leaders
Jacksonville State (2024)
Passing: Gavin Wimsatt, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, 41.0 completion percentage (at Kentucky)
Rushing: Cam Cook, 460 yards on 119 carries, 9 TDs (at TCU)
Receiving: Michael Pettway, 454 yards on 25 catches, 3 TDs
UCF
Passing: Cam Fancher, 1,528 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INTs, 59.4 completion percentage (at FAU)
Rushing: Jaden Nixon, 919 yards on 143 carries, 12 TDs (at Western Michigan)
Receiving: DJ Black, 939 yards, 11 TDs (at Limestone)
Last game
Jacksonville State defeated Western Kentucky 52-12 to win the Conference USA championship game before losing the in the Cure Bowl to Ohio 30-27.
UCF ended its season with a 28-14 loss to Utah, finishing 4-8.
Next game
Jacksonville State opens play in Conference USA at home against Liberty on Sept. 6. UCF hosts North Carolina A&T on Sept. 6.
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