Caden Creel produced eight of Jacksonville State's eleven explosive plays
Jacksonville State was in control wire to wire. What the rout was actually built on.
Caden Creel scored 30 of Jacksonville State's points. Jacksonville State (0-1) routs Eastern Kentucky, 49-7 at AmFirst Stadium. Jacksonville State led from start to finish and never let Eastern Kentucky within striking distance. Caden Creel threw for 327 yards on 28 attempts with five touchdowns and ran 10 times for 54 yards.
Third down decided the possession count
Jacksonville State converted 10 of 12 third downs (83%) to Eastern Kentucky's 27%: Caden Creel (7/9) and Ronnel Johnson (2/2). Jacksonville State produced 11 plays of 15+ yards to Eastern Kentucky's 5, led by Caden Creel (involved in 8), Jamill Williams (involved in 2) and Ronnel Johnson (involved in 1). Stacked together, it was never close.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The standouts
Caden Creel threw for 327 yards on 28 attempts with five touchdowns and ran 10 times for 54 yards, including seven third-down conversions and a hand in eight plays of 15 yards or more. Jamill Williams caught seven passes for 144 yards, four of them for touchdowns. Ronnel Johnson caught three passes for 33 yards — two third-down conversions. For Eastern Kentucky, Brady Hensley ran seven times for 91 yards and one score. Tyler Travers threw for 90 yards on 19 attempts — two third-down conversions. Cortez Stone ran eight times for 58 yards and caught two passes for 7 yards. Ty Sims was the disruptive one for Jacksonville State: 1 INT.
What Eastern Kentucky has to fix
The problems had names: Tyler Travers (1 interception).
The disruptive ones
Two names to keep: Ty Sims (1 INT) for Jacksonville State and Jack McGrath (0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 4.5 tackles) for Eastern Kentucky.
How it unfolded
Jacksonville State struck first through Jamill Williams, led 35-7 at the half and Jacksonville State got the final points on a late score by Jamill Williams.
How it graded
The closing line had Jacksonville State -22.5. Jacksonville State covered. The total was 51.5; the teams combined for 56, an over. Caden Creel accounted for 30 of Jacksonville State's points.
Where it leaves them
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
Jacksonville State cleared the bar with room to spare; Eastern Kentucky goes back to the drawing board. Brady Hensley was responsible for 6 of Eastern Kentucky's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
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