Watch Jax State trick plays backfire vs Troy in Salute to Veterans Bowl
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MONTGOMERY — The luck that seemingly went Jacksonville State football‘s way most of the season appeared to run out on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
The Gamecocks attempted two trick plays in the first half of its bowl game vs. Troy, but neither went the way the Gamecocks wanted and both led to scores for Troy.
The first was a flee flicker near its own end zone. Quarterback Caden Creel took a sack and fumbled, leading to a recovery by Troy’s Luis Medina for the Trojans‘ first score of the game.
#WATCH JSU fumbles near the endzone & Troy recovers it for a touchdown. Tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/izMXsIbpB1
— Jayla Brown (@jaylambrown) December 17, 2025
On their next drive, the Gamecocks brought out the trickery on fourth down with backup quarterback Gavin Wimsatt in on the punt team. He was the up-man and caught the snap before trying to hit Pearson Baldwin in the flat.
Baldwin dropped the pass, and the Gamecocks turned the ball over on their own 45-yard line.
The Gamecocks had success with trick plays this year, with the highlight coming against Middle Tennessee State. In that game, they scored on a double pass between Creel and Wimsatt, who found Deondre Johnson. The Gamecocks have used the two-quarterback package at times.
It’s not the first time that Jax State hid a quarterback on a special teams play. After a Hail Mary bounced its way against Kennesaw State in the regular season, third-stringer Cade Cunningham scored as the holder on the ensuing two-point try. Creel has also taken reps at punt returner this season.
Following the failed fake punt against Troy, the Trojans took the lead with a field goal.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Watch Jax State trick plays backfire vs Troy in Salute to Veterans Bowl
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