2001: The Jacksonville State Game

For many a year, a fierce battle for football supremacy took place in the great state of Alabama. This trophy game pitted teams from north and south Alabama. 

No, not that one. The Battle for the Ol’ School Bell between Jacksonville State and Troy was long one of the fiercest rivalries in college football, with 63 matchups since 1924. Cries of “Whup Troy” and “Whup Jax State” still ring out whenever the teams meet up in other sports.

Historically, Jacksonville State has controlled the rivalry, boasting a 32-29-2 record against the Teachers/Red Wave/Trojans. It’s important to note that most of the wins JSU picked up were in what we consider the pre-modern era (before 1966 and the arrival of Troy coach Billy Atkins) and the Trojans were truly not very good.

The worst point of the series for Troy was from 1954-1966, when the Gamecocks went on a thirteen-game winning streak, the longest for either team. After the arrival of Billy Atkins, Troy began to take control of the rivalry.

From that point onwards, Troy would be 19-12-1, improving from 10-20-1 in the first half of the series.

The rivalry played a part in both programs’ history, from Troy’s first bowl game to its move to FBS, and from Jax State’s color change in 1946 to its 1977 national championship appearance and 1992 title. The last time these two teams played was 2001, Troy’s first season in Division I-A.

That season, the Trojans came home from Monroe with a big win and a 5-4 record, ready for the final homestand of the maiden Division I-A season.

The Gamecocks were bringing a 5-4 record of their own three hours south to the Wiregrass. JSU had conference struggles against 5 ranked Division I-AA teams, winning one (#22 Texas State) and losing the other four (#23 Stephen F Austin, #15 Northwestern State, #18 Sam Houston State, and #11 McNeese State). If you couldn’t tell, the old Southland Conference was still pretty loaded.

At 11:30, the game kicked off in what would be the Battle for the Ol’ School Bell to end all Battles. The teams both came out trying to gain the upper hand, but ended up in a stalemate for much of the first quarter.

Troy’s first two offensive possessions ended in a punt, as did JSU’s. On their second possession, the Gamecocks started at their own 18 and spent the next 13 plays moving 74 yards to the Trojan 8. The offense stalled however, and they were forced to kick a 25-yard field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead.

Offensive woes continued for the Trojans after the JSU field goal. They wrapped up the first quarter with a 49-yard drive that ended in a blocked 37-yard field goal try to show for it.

Then a comedy of errors ensued for the next three drives.

• JSU punted after Troy’s missed field goal.
• Troy drove 80 yards before throwing an interception at the Gamecock 2 yard line.
• JSU graciously returned the favor by fumbling the ball right back to the Trojans on the next play at their own 22.

Troy finally found paydirt, though. Demontray Carter brought in a 22-yard touchdown catch from Brock Nutter. A Drew Boteler extra point put the Trojans ahead 7-3. They would not trail again.

This touchdown would prove to be the lone bright spot of the first half for the Trojans. JSU punted on the ensuing drive before Troy gave it right back with a Brock Nutter interception three plays later.

Thankfully, a Trojan interception on the Gamecocks’ last play of the half shut down any momentum for the visitors.

The two teams traded punts in the opening part of the second half before the Trojans went on a 91-yard drive, which was capped off by another Demontray Carter score. This time a 1-yard rush gave Troy a 14-3 lead.

On the Trojans’ next possession, they would add the final touchdown of the day. The drive went 6 plays for 82 yards, the final play being a 15-yard scamper by DeWhitt Betterson. The Trojans won the game 21-3, keeping the Bell for the past two decades.

The Mighty Trojan Death Machine was clearly the biggest factor in Troy’s win over its bitter northern rival. The Troy defense caused the Gamecocks to punt six times on the day, in addition to snagging an interception and two fumbles.

As had been the case for most of the season, the Troy running backs split the carries efficiently, even though neither got over 100 yards. Carter had 17 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. Betterson added another 60 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries of his own.

Brock Nutter’s arm steadied the offense in spite of his two interceptions. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 254 yards and a passing touchdown giving Carter two all-purpose.

Mr. Reliable Heyward Skipper didn’t get in the endzone, but tied up defenders for 155 yards. This was more than 100 yards more than the next Trojan on the list, Jason Samples, who had 48 yards receiving.

Defensively, Corey Sears and Jimmy McClain were the only Trojans in double digits for tackles. Sears had 12 and a fumble recovery, while McClain had 11, including a sack. Shelton Felton and Deiric Jackson both got sacks as well, two and one respectively.

Byron Knight forced a fumble and both Vernon Marable and Derrick Ansley had fumble recoveries, joining Sears for three total. The only interception of the day came from The Interceptor, Rayshun Reed, who returned it 26 yards.

A crowd of 17,357 filled into The Vet to see what was (thus far) the final game in the storied Battle for the Ol’ School Bell. Troy closed out the rivalry winning seven straight. The Bell still resides in the halls of Tine Davis Fieldhouse at Veterans Memorial Stadium to this day.

The victory over JSU also set another bar for the Troy program. With the win, they clinched a winning record in their first season of Division I-A competition.

The Trojans could not revel in victory long though. A final test loomed the following week as the Mean Green of North Texas were making their way to the Wiregrass to face off for the first time.