After dropping their conference championship games, Troy football and Jacksonville State football look to end the 2025 college football season on a high note with a win in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
Tuesday night’s bowl game in Montgomery is a renewal of the ‘Battle for the Ol’ School Bell’ rivalry between both Yellowhammer State programs, as it is the first meeting between Troy and Jacksonville State since 2001.
Stream the Salute to Veterans Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
Troy fell to James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game, a loss that sent the Dukes to the College Football Playoff. In that lopsided 31-17 loss to the Dukes, the Trojans lost quarterback Goose Crowder with an apparent ankle injury.
Jacksonville State is bowl-eligible for the third consecutive season since moving up from the FCS level, just the second program to reach that feat, with the other being Marshall. The Gamecocks, who fell in the Conference USA championship game to Kennesaw State, are led by their running back Cam Cook and quarterback Caden Creel. Cook has nearly 1,800 rushing yards on the season, while Creel has run and thrown for at least 1,100 yards each.
USA TODAY Sports is providing you live updates, scores and highlights of the Salute to Veterans Bowl. Follow along:
Troy vs Jacksonville State score
This section will be updated
Troy vs Jacksonville State live updates
This section will be updated
Pregame
Salute to Veterans Bowl coming up
The Salute to Veterans Bowl between Jacksonville State and Troy is coming up in Montgomery. Kickoff might be delayed slightly due to the ongoing Tennessee-Louisville men’s basketball game still on ESPN.
Caden Creel warming up in Salute to Veterans Bowl
Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel has taken the field in Montgomery for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy. Creel finished 12 of 21 passes for 96 yards with two sacks and an interception in the Conference USA Championship game. He also had 112 rushing yards and a score on 18 carries in the Gamecocks’ loss to Kennesaw State.
Jacksonville State unveils uniforms for Salute to Veterans Bowl
The Gamecocks look to be wearing their red on white uniform set, with the red pinstripes down the side of the pants, for the Salute to Veterans Bowl against Troy.
What time does Troy vs Jacksonville State start?
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Where: The Historic Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
Troy and Jacksonville State are set for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff on Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the Salute to Veterans Bowl from The Historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
What TV channel is Troy vs Jacksonville State on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
ESPN will nationally broadcast the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State. Matt Barrie and Tom Luginbill will call the game from the booth at The Historic Cramton Bowl, while Harry Lyles Jr. will report from the sidelines.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream the Salute to Veterans Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
Troy vs Jacksonville State predictions in Salute to Veterans Bowl
Here’s a compilation of predictions from experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network for the Salute to Veterans Bowl between Troy and Jacksonville State:
- Matt Hayes: Troy
- Jordan Mendoza: Troy
- Paul Myerberg: Jacksonville State
- Erick Smith: Troy
- Eddie Timanus: Troy
- Blake Toppmeyer: Troy
Troy vs Jacksonville State odds, spread for Salute to Veterans Bowl
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 15
- Spread:
- Over/under:
- Moneyline:
Troy football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Troy’s 2025 schedule:
Here’s a look at Troy’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Troy 38, Nicholls 20
- Saturday, Sept. 6: Clemson 27, Troy 16
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Memphis 28, Troy 7
- Saturday, Sept. 20: Troy 21, Buffalo 17
- Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 4: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 (OT) *
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Troy 48, Texas State 41 (OT) *
- Saturday, Oct. 18: Troy 37, Louisiana-Monroe 14 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: Troy 35, Louisiana 23 *
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Arkansas State 23, Troy 10 *
- Saturday, Nov. 8: BYE
- Thursday, Nov. 13: Old Dominion 33, Troy 0 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: Troy 31, Georgia State 19 *
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Troy 28, Southern Miss 18 *
- Friday, Dec. 5: No. 19 James Madison 31, Troy 14 **
- Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Jacksonville State | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***
* Denotes Sun Belt game
** Denotes Sun Belt Championship game
*** Denote bowl game
Jacksonville State football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Jacksonville State’s 2025 schedule:
- Thursday, Aug. 28: UCF 17, Jacksonville State 10
- Saturday, Sept. 6: Jacksonville State 34, Liberty 24 *
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Georgia Southern 41, Jacksonville State 34
- Saturday, Sept. 20: Jacksonville State 45, Murray State 10
- Saturday, Sept. 27: Southern Miss 42, Jacksonville State 25
- Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
- Thursday, Oct. 9: Jacksonville State 29, Sam Houston 27 *
- Wednesday, Oct. 15: Jacksonville State 38, Delaware 25 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
- Wednesday, Oct. 29: Jacksonville State 24, Middle Tennessee 21 *
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Jacksonville State 30, UTEP 27 *
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Jacksonville State 35, Kennesaw State 26 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: FIU 27, Jacksonville State 21 *
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Jacksonville State 37, Western Kentucky 34 *
- Friday, Dec. 5: Kennesaw State 19, Jacksonville State 15 **
- Tuesday, Dec. 16: vs. Troy | 9 p.m. ET | ESPN (Fubo) ***
* Denotes Conference USA game
** Denotes Conference USA Championship game
*** Denote bowl game
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