Jacksonville State football woke up late but ended the first half in a fury to earn a homecoming win over Murray State.

Another high-effort outing for Jacksonville State — and more importantly, a win — left coach Charles Kelly “very proud” heading into the final leg of non-conference play. The Gamecocks overcame a slow start on Saturday night to roll to a 45-10 victory over FCS Murray State, handing Jax State its second win of the season.

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- Cam Cook powered a 329-yard rushing day and Jacksonville State ran away from Murray State 45-10 on Saturday. Cook carried 22 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Jacksonville State finished 6-for-6 in the red zone.

The Racers head into an open week before returning to action on Oct. 4 at South Dakota in their Missouri Valley Conference opener.

Early on, Jax State has proven to be one of the more disciplined teams in college football this season. The Gamecocks rank 12th among all FBS teams in fewest penalty yards with just 85 on the season and are tied for 14th in fewest penalties with 11. The Gamecocks had three for 15 yards last week against Georgia Southern.

Game summary of the Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Murray State Racers NCAAF game, final score 45-10, from September 20, 2025 on ESPN.

The Murray State University Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Dr. Laura Ken Hoffman as the founding dean of the university's proposed School of Veterinary Medicine.

Murray State University President Ron Patterson spoke at Wrather Hall on campus Thursday, delivering a “State of the University” address that highlighted the school’s recent accomplishments and gave an update on his first semester at the western Kentucky institution.

A new virtual reality lab at Murray State University is giving criminal justice students a hands-on approach to learning.

MADILL, Okla. (KXII) - 18-year-old Jayden McCain, a freshman wrestler at Murray State College, died in a car accident Tuesday morning. He grew up in Madill where his wrestling coach of six years, Austin Pettigrew, watched him grow as an athlete.

The Lady Toppers will wrap up action in the APSU Fall Tournament on Sunday with singles and doubles matches against Chattanooga at the Governors Tennis Courts in Clarksville, Tennessee. Matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT.