JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Caden Creel threw for 241 yards and ran for 119 more as Jacksonville State beat Middle Tennessee 23-13 on Saturday in the Conference USA opener for both teams.

The Gamecocks (3-2, 1-0) won their 11th straight home conference game, and seventh straight conference opener. The Blue Raiders (2-2, 0-1) lost their fifth straight against Jacksonville State.

Creel scored once on the ground and connected with Deondre Johnson for another, and was 19-of-17 passing. Garrison Rippa was 3 for 3 on field goals from 27, 29, and 31 yards.

Jax State racked up 517 yards of total offense to Middle Tennessee's 319, 276 of them coming on the ground. They averaged 7.1 yards per carry as a team, led by Creel and Lucas Farrington's 94 yards.

Roman Gagliano threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-28 passing for the Blue Raiders. He connected with Cam'Ron Lacy six times for 88 yards and a score.

Middle Tennessee: at Kansas next Saturday.

Jacksonville State: at Kennesaw State on Oct. 7.

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