Rich Rodriguez led Jacksonville State to its first-ever college football bowl win during its first-ever season on the FBS level on Saturday. He proceeded to panic the university administration with a bold promise to his team.
The Gamecocks, who moved from the Atlantic Sun Conference to Conference USA during the offseason, were not allowed to play in a bowl game despite winning six games because of a dumb NCAA rule. However, because there were not enough teams to reach bowl eligibility, they got in anyway!
It ended up playing out as it should. Jacksonville State defeated Louisiana-Lafayette by three in overtime of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Backup kicker Garrison Rippa was forced to play after an injury to the starter.
He was tasked, after not playing all season, with a 27-yard field goal for all of the marbles and took a moment to compose himself before entering the game. Self-affirmations were at the forefront of his preparation for the biggest kick of his entire life.
He nailed it. Rippa became an instant legend just like that!
How can you not be romantic about college football?
Not long after getting drenched by his players, Rodriguez took the podium and made a promise. His team was going to stay another night in the Big Easy to celebrate the school’s first-ever bowl win.
It was completely spontaneous. Rich Rod clearly did not check with his higher-ups because they were visibly sweating as he declared his wishes in front of the entire program.
If the announcement wasn’t pressure enough, the team started to chant “one more night!”
There was clear terror on the faces of the administrators tasked with arranging an additional night in New Orleans on such short notice.
THE GAMECOCKS GOT TO PARTY! Jacksonville State stayed. Epic!