Troy University Athletics
Troy, Jacksonville State to Renew Rivalry at IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
12/7/2025 1:44:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Coming off its third Sun Belt Championship Game appearance in the last four seasons, Troy will take on Jacksonville State in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. at The Historic Cramton Bowl.
It will be the first meeting between Troy and Jacksonville State since 2001 and the 64th all-time between the two programs, by far the most against any opponent in school history. Troy has won seven consecutive games in the series, but Jacksonville State leads the all-time series by a 33-28-2 margin, thanks to a run of 13 straight wins from 1954-66.
"We are excited to reward our team, staff and fans for a successful season with our 11th FBS bowl appearance and our sixth in the last ten years," Athletics Director Kyle George said. "This matchup gives our team a meaningful homefield advantage in a bowl that carries deep significance for the Troy Family as we honor the late Johnny Williams and our veterans."
Troy (8-5) is making its first-ever appearance in the Montgomery bowl game, founded by Johnny Williams, who passed away this past February after a brave fight against leukemia.
Williams was one of the instrumental leaders in Troy's move from NCAA Division II to Division I. He was named Troy's Athletics Director in the spring of 1994, following a seven-year stint as the school's defensive coordinator. In addition to his role on the football staff, Williams assisted in the Athletic Department's business office and with football promotions and served as the football recruiting coordinator.
Additionally, the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl aligns with Troy's mission as one of the top military-friendly institutions in the country. Troy received Military Friendly® School designation from G.I. Jobs magazine, earning the organization's highest gold ranking.
Troy enters the matchup with Jacksonville State after doubling its win total from a season ago and representing the Sun Belt West in the league title game for the third time in the four years it has been on that side of the league.
Jacksonville State (8-5) lost to Kennesaw State in the Conference USA Championship Game on Friday. The Gamecocks feature the nation's leading rusher in Cam Cook, who has rushed for 1,659 yards this season. Jacksonville State is 0-2 against the Sun Belt this season, with losses to Southern Miss (42-25) and Georgia Southern (41-34).
Troy has faced a C-USA school in a bowl game twice (neither is a current league member), falling to Southern Miss in the 2008 New Orleans Bowl in overtime before blowing out North Texas in the 2017 New Orleans Bowl.
Ticket Information
Troy Athletics will release ticket information, which includes Community Hero tickets, as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to purchase all tickets through the Troy Athletics Ticket Office by visiting TroyTrojans.com/BowlTickets.
Troy Bowl History
Season Bowl Opponent Result
2004 Silicon Valley Classic Northern Illinois L, 21-34
2006 New Orleans Bowl Rice W, 41-17
2008 New Orleans Bowl Southern Miss L, 27-30 (OT)
2009 GMAC Bowl Central Michigan L, 41-44 (2OT)
2010 New Orleans Bowl Ohio W, 48-21
2016 Dollar General Bowl Ohio W, 28-23
2017 New Orleans Bowl North Texas W, 50-30
2018 Dollar General Bowl Buffalo W, 42-32
2022 Cure Bowl UTSA W, 18-12
2023 Birmingham Bowl Duke L, 10-17
Troy at #12 Southern Miss - Game 1 Highlights
Saturday, March 21
Skylar Meade, Jimmy Janicki, and Benjamin Stubbs Postgame - Southern Miss Game 1
Saturday, March 21
Eric Newell Postgame Press Conference (GSU Game 1)
Saturday, March 21
Player Postgame Press Conference (Lydia Kirby, Abby Lovell) - Georgia State
Saturday, March 21