The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are facing the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the Conference USA title game on December 6, 2024, at Burgess-Snow Field in Jacksonville, Alabama. Jacksonville State en

JACKSONVILLE − Jacksonville State football didn't need any extra motivation heading into a matchup with Sam Houston State, but Bearkats coach K.C. Keeler gave the Gamecocks some bulletin board material.

During his weekly press conference, Keeler was discussing the 8-2 record that his Bearkats had, even after some close games.

"Your record is what it is, we're an 8-2 team. Don't give me style point issues, I think if you want to give style point issues, then Jacksonville State should be 5-5, they probably should've lost their last two games," Keeler said.

Those comments found their way to the Gamecocks, who took them to heart and made sure to mention them on Saturday after a 21-11 win over the Bearkats.

Quarterback Tyler Huff said the team had an extra chip on their shoulder, beyond just clinching a spot in the Conference USA title game.

"We all had a chip on our shoulders this week, Sam Houston's head coach had some words to say about us, not in a disrespectful way. Just saying we should've been 5-5 and lost these last two games. We only score styling points and we all took that to heart," Huff said. "I was telling coach Rod at the end, lets air it, show them some style points. I wanted to make them eat those words, but hey, we won so we're happy with that. In the locker room we felt good, giving us bulletin board material like that, he messed up with that. We felt good in the locker room rubbing it in his face, for sure."

For J-Rock Swain, the Gamecocks are just out there to win and not worry about how they get it done. He believes Keeler saw some style points on Saturday. CUSA HOST:Jacksonville State football clinches hosting rights for Conference USA title game

WIN OVER SAM HOUSTON:Jacksonville State football beats Sam Houston State, clinches spot in Conference USA title game

"We was like style points... I understand style points but it's college football, it's FBS football. You got to come out and win no matter how it happened, you got to get it done. Style points, he seen style points today," Swain said.

Jacksonville State's Michael Pettway tries to evade the tackle of FIU's CJ Christian (4) and Jamal Potts (7) during college football action at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama November 16, 2024. (Dave Hyatt / Hyatt Media LLC)